Slow cooker is among the best devices to have an easy preparation of meals every day. It makes life much easier than being accustomed to the old and traditional way.
With the help of these devices, one can make sure to cook any dish or recipe without any worries. While using slow cookers, there are things needed to consider because not all ingredients can be cooked inside them.
Is raw meat one of these ingredients, or is it just a myth?
For those who have slow cookers in their kitchen, whether larger or lightweight slow cookers, it is always on our minds if we can cook raw meat in them.
Some would say yes, but others say no otherwise. Today, we will tackle this game-changing revelation and reveal the truth of this conspiracy. Continue reading to know more if you can cook raw meat in a slow cooker or not.
Can you cook raw meat in a slow cooker?
Food safety experts always say that it is not recommended to cook raw meat inside a slow cooker, but there is a way to make it happen. So, the answer is yes.
You can cook raw meat in a slow cooker given that you have satisfied some preventive measures. If you want to cook raw meat, you should make sure that you cook it first in the high settings to reach the safety levels in cooking.
This will give enough time for the slow cooker to kill all the microbes residing in the meat. You can monitor this with a food thermometer to check if the raw meat has reached safe temperature levels. And once it has reached it, the raw meat is safe and good to go.
Why is there a need to use a food thermometer in cooking raw meat in a slow cooker?
When cooking any type of raw meat in a slow cooker, a food thermometer is required. This kitchen device will assess whether or not the meat has been completely cooked.
By using a food thermometer, you can avoid an undercooked or overcooked meat dish, ensuring that you are following food safety standards.
Aside from that, a food thermometer allows you to check the meat temperature on the inner sections of the meat so that you can have an idea if the meat has been cooked accordingly.
Lastly, it will tell you if the meat has reached the boiling point because that will be when the raw meat is safe to it since that will be the time that the bacteria are killed in the slow cooking process.
As mentioned above, you need to satisfy the following requirements in order to do so, and one other thing, you need to have a fatty and fresh one.
If your raw meat seems like it has reached the turning point and has been sitting in the fridge for so long, cooking it in a slow cooker can be harmful.
This will make the meat sturdy and tough, making it hard. Also, it will be prone to food-borne diseases if cooked raw.
Can I cook raw lean meat directly in a slow cooker?
Never ever cook raw lean meat directly in a slow cooker. If cooked inside a slow cooker, raw lean meat may burn inside in the cooking process.
This type of meat is thinly sliced, making it easier to burn. Wouldn’t you want to waste any of your dishwashing liquid just to clean up the mess, right?
Also, cooking it in a slow cooker won’t get you to have a crunch output because the slow cooker will take up the moisture and liquid, making the raw lean meat dry.
At what temperature should I cook raw meat in a slow cooker?
When cooking raw meat inside a slow cooker, you need to bring the slow cooker to at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that it reaches food safety levels, according to the World Health Organization. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of the raw meat.
As others may say, don’t judge a book by its cover. It’s the same thing when cooking raw meat because most of the time, the insides of the meat can be undercooked while you can see the surface is cooked already.
Therefore, you need to check the temperature level inside the chunk to see if it has reached the temperature it needs.
Do I need to preheat the slow cooker first before cooking raw meat?
Yes! You need to preheat the slow cooker first before cooking the raw meat. This will ensure that the meat can be cooked faster than usual. Kickstarting the heat will boost the cooking process to cook the raw meat thoroughly by making it reach food safety levels.
Is there a chance that cooking raw meat in a slow cooker will taste bland?
This is the main reason why most individuals do not agree to cook raw meat in a slow cooker because it can give a bland taste after cooking.
Well, it depends on the raw meat you are going to cook. If you cook a thicker slice of meat without knowing the cooking time, the raw meat will taste bland and won’t give any flavor.
Also, cooking raw meat in a slow cooker takes a longer time to be cooked, and if not monitored properly, you may get an overcooked meat dish.
Aside from that, the texture will be different if you cook raw meat, and you need to ensure that there is enough liquid to retain the juiciness of the raw meat.
Is it better to use a low heat setting in cooking raw meat in a slow cooker?
Yes! It is better to use a low heat setting for cooking raw meat a slower, but this will take longer. If you want to rush things out, set it to a high setting.
But in most cases, if you let the raw meat cook thoroughly for a longer time and have added spices and condiments inside it, slow cooking it on a low setting will make the added ingredients seep through the raw meat. Thus, it can provide a better flavor than heating it on a high setting.
Final Thoughts
There’s no excuse why you can’t cook raw meat in a slow cooker, but you need to keep in mind to follow certain protocols to prevent food contaminations.
In cooking raw meat inside a slow cooker, ensure that the meat has been well-cooked. Gra ba food thermometer monitors if the meat has reached the safety levels.
This will guarantee that your raw meat is safely cooked inside the slow cooker. Also, this will allow you to have a safe meal to eat with your family.
Clear your thoughts and start cooking raw meat right away. Get your slow cooker and your kitchen knife, and trust the process.