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You do not need a mini slow cooker to enjoy small batch meals. With a few simple adjustments, your large slow cooker can easily be used to prepare recipes for one or two. This approach helps you get the convenience of slow cooking while keeping the portions just the right size.
Benefits of Cooking Small Meals in a Large Slow Cooker
- No Extra Appliances Needed: Use the slow cooker you already have.
- Cost Effective: Get more use out of your large slow cooker.
- Versatile: Easily cook both small and large portions.
- Consistent Cooking: A large slow cooker still maintains even heat for smaller meals.
How To Adapt Recipes For Smaller Portions
- Use an Insert or Oven-Safe Dish: Place a heatproof bowl or baking dish inside your slow cooker. Choose one that is big enough for the food but leaves space around the sides for circulation.
- Fill to the Right Level: Aim to fill the insert two-thirds to three-quarters full. Underfilling can make food cook too quickly. Overfilling can cause uneven results.
- Adjust Time and Temperature: Smaller amounts cook faster. Begin checking for doneness 20 to 30 percent earlier than the recipe suggests.
- Keep the Lid On: Each time the lid is lifted, heat escapes and cooking slows. Resist checking until near the end of cooking.
Slow Cooker Time Conversion Guide
Use this guide to adjust recipes between the low and high settings on your slow cooker:
- 6 to 8 hours on Low = 3 to 4 hours on High
- 7 to 9 hours on Low = 4 to 5 hours on High
- 8 to 10 hours on Low = 5 to 6 hours on High
These times are approximate, since every slow cooker heats a little differently. Always check for doneness toward the end of the cooking time.
Expert Tips
- Brown meat before slow cooking for richer flavor
- Layer vegetables with the firmest, like carrots or potatoes, on the bottom
- Cut ingredients into similar sizes for even cooking
- Go lighter on seasonings at first, then taste and adjust at the end
- Always thaw frozen food before adding it to the pot
When To Consider A Smaller Slow Cooker
If you cook for one most of the time, a 1.5 to 2 quart slow cooker can be handy. This size is perfect for small batch soups, stews, and small roasts. Smaller models are also useful for dips and sauces at parties.
Slow Cooker vs. Crock Pot
Crockpot is a brand of slow cooker known for its stoneware insert surrounded by a heating element. “Slow cooker” is the general term and can describe many models from different brands. Both work well for cooking small meals using the methods above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Use an oven-safe bowl or smaller dish inside your large slow cooker to create the right cooking environment for smaller portions.
Not necessarily. A large slow cooker can handle both small and big meals. If you only ever cook for one, a 1.5 to 2 quart model may be convenient, but it isn’t required.
A 1.5 to 2 quart slow cooker works best for single serving recipes. However, you can still cook for one in a large slow cooker by using the bowl method.
You can find a collection of single serving and small slow cooker recipes on our Slow Cooker Recipes page. These recipes are designed for one or two people and are easy to make in either a small or large slow cooker.
RELATED: Empty Nest Recipe Ideas – The Joy Of Cooking For Two
For information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
As an empty nester and recently divorced, it’s difficult to find recipes for one. I LOVE your website. Thank you.
Thank you!
Love this site, thank you for the great recipes, it so hard to cook for one person and its great for seniors who don’t eat that much! thank you