How Does A Slow Cooker work?

Slow Cookers, also known as crockpots, are countertop appliances that slowly cook one pot meals at very low temperatures. They usually have three settings, LOW, HIGH and WARM. The heat in a crockpot, usually between 170°F and 280°F, comes directly from the pot. Similar to a dutch oven on the stovetop, the heat starts at the bottom and then comes up the sides of the crockpot. Additionally, there are newer digital slow cookers as well, which you can program to start cooking whenever you like. After the cooking process is done, they automatically switch to the warm setting. Therefore keeping your food warm, until you are ready to eat.

Can You Cook Frozen Meat In The Slow Cooker?

The short answer to this question is: NO! Unfortunately the USDA does not recommend cooking frozen meat in the slow cooker, because there would be too much opportunity for harmful bacteria growth.

As mentioned above, a crock-pot (slow cooker) cooks at very low temperatures, and because of that frozen meat would take too long to reach cooking temperature when it goes into the slow cooker frozen. The time until food reaches the safe temperature of 145ºF is also called the “danger zone”, it is between 41ºF and 140ºF.

Disease causing bacteria grows extremely fast during this period in the moist and low temperature environment of a crockpot. The USDA recommends no more than 2 hours to get food out of the danger zone. A frozen roast starts cooking at 0ºF and will definitely not reach a food safe temperature within 2 hours of cook time. It would thus give bacteria an opportunity to multiply, making the meat unsafe to eat and possibly causing foodborne illnesses.

Slow cooking is not the way you want to cook frozen meat. The lower temperatures are a breeding ground for e. coli and other bacteria. Food safety guidelines would recommend not cooking any frozen piece of meat in a slow cooker. Avoid cooking partially-frozen pork slowly as well.

What Is The Best Way To Cook Frozen Meat?

Our favorite way to cook frozen meat is in the electric pressure cooker. You don’t have to worry about bacterial growth and food-borne illnesses. You can cook frozen pork loin, frozen pork roast, frozen pork chops or any cut of frozen chicken or beef in the Instant Pot pressure cooker. The pressure cooker does an excellent job of breaking down the connective tissues and making tender meat. It just takes a few minutes more than fresh meat and fresh pork.

Try these recipes with your frozen pork and save the slow cooker recipes for defrosted pork:

Pork Roast: If you are a big fan of pot roasts, then you will love our most delicious Instant Pot Pork Roast. This fork tender and flavorful pork roast only takes 5 minutes to prep and it comes with perfectly cooked potatoes and carrots and the most delicious balsamic gravy. This is the most delicious pork roast you’ll ever make.

Pulled Pork Sliders: Use a defrosted or frozen pork shoulder roast or pork butt roast to make this easy recipe for BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders. With just a few ingredients for a delicious dry rub and your favorite BBQ sauce you’ll have tasty pulled BBQ pork to make a pork sandwich!

Carnitas: Use a defrosted or frozen pork shoulder roast, pork shoulder butt roast or even a pork tenderloin (boneless pork loin) to make these delicious Instant Pot Pork Carnitas. You will not believe how much flavor this great recipe has! These are a family favorite!

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: These Crockpot Baked Potatoes are so easy you just set it and forget it. A few hours later, you’ve got the soft, pillowy potatoes of your dreams. 

How To Quickly Defrost Meat

We all know the best way to defrost a frozen pork roast is overnight in the refrigerator. But in case you have forgotten to take out the meat you wanted to cook from the freezer ahead of time, here are some tips on how to quickly and safely defrost meat.

IN COLD WATER: Put your frozen meat into a sealable ziploc bag and make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible. Then submerge the bag in a bowl filled with cold water. Change the water about every 30 minutes to make sure it stays cold. Depending on size, your meat should be thawed in 1-3 hours.

IN THE MICROWAVE: Most microwave ovens have a defrost setting. Some even let you enter the weight of your meat to calculate the perfect defrosting time. In case your microwave does not have a defrost mode, turn your microwave to the lowest setting and microwave the frozen meat in short increments until thawed. With the microwave there is a fine line between thawing and cooking. Keep checking on the status of your meat and reposition it if necessary for even defrosting.

Common Questions

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: Another one of our favorite slow cooker meals is delicious and flavor packed Shredded Chipotle Chicken. This makes great chicken to put on tacos, burritos, enchiladas, salads and more.

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