Crock Pot Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole - Recipes That Crock! (2024)

FAQs

Can you put raw hamburger in a crockpot? ›

Can You Put Raw Beef in a Slow Cooker? Yes, you can totally cook raw beef in a slow cooker. Many slow-cooker chili recipes have a step for browning the beef before it goes into the Crock-Pot. While this step isn't necessary, caramelizing the meat creates richer, bolder flavors.

Recipes to make in the crockpot using ground beef

One of the best things about using a slow cooker for meat is that you don't have to worry about thawing the meat first. Just throw it in frozen and let the cooking process do its thing. For cooked beef, you could do something like a shepherd's pie.

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

All you do is add up to 3 pounds of ground beef to your crock-pot (I have done as many as 5 lbs. at one time). Break up the beef and add ¼ cup water (per pound of beef). Turn your crock-pot on and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours.

If you simply pop some raw meat in your slow cooker, it won't have a chance to brown, which adds some much-needed flavor and cuts down on plenty of unappealing grease. Instead, you're better served by browning raw meat in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker with your other ingredients.

Add stock, water or other liquids, making sure there is enough to come up 1-2cm from the base of the slow cooker bowl. Cover with the lid and cook on High for 4-5 hours or Low for 5-8 hours, or until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily with a fork.

Leaner blends require more moisture, so make sure to add enough liquid. Water is fine, but beef stock can add extra flavor. Plus, it contains collagen which will keep everything tender. If you're using a fattier blend, it will do better on the Low setting for a longer period of time.

Information. It is best to thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Frozen pieces will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature and could possibly result in foodborne illness. Frozen or partially frozen foods can also cool everything else in the slow cooker.

Cook it on low.

While many slow cooker recipes can be made on high for 3-4 hours, I highly recommend cooking this beef stew on low for the full 7-8 hours. This will ensure that the beef gets nice and tender.

Can you overcrowd a slow cooker? ›

Slow cookers should be “at least halfway, but no more than two-thirds full,” write Vance and Lacalamita. Anything less may cause your food to overcook, and conversely, if it's too full, your food may not cook fully. 8. You're not layering your food.

While this step isn't essential, and you'll still get a perfectly good meal at the end, browning your meat and veg beforehand is a complete slow cooker game changer.

The United States Department of Agriculture recommends not eating or tasting raw or undercooked ground beef. To be sure all bacteria are destroyed, cook meat loaf, meatballs, casseroles, and hamburgers to 160 °F. Use a food thermometer to check that they have reached a safe internal temperature.

Yes, it is safe to cook meat in a crock pot overnight as long as the internal temperature of the food reaches a safe minimum temperature of at least 145°F for beef, pork, and lamb, or 160°F for poultry, as measured by a food thermometer.