How to Use Marinade in a Slow Cooker

Slow cooking is a great cooking method for those who want to make their busy lives taste better! There are so many benefits to using a slow cooker, but there are some very important things to consider when using it with a marinade.
There are two main ways that you can use marinade in the slow-cooking process:
- Β Marinating the Meat in the Fridge
Adding the Marinade to the Slow Cooker

Marinating the Meat in the Fridge
How to:
Place the meat in an airtight container, such as a Ziploc bag. Let it it sit in the refrigerator for 2-12 hours depending on the acidity of the marinade. (Check out our Cooking Tips and Tricks for more info!) Add marinated meat to the slow cooker.
Benefits:
This method allows the marinade to tenderize and add flavor for a longer period of time without causing the meal to become too salty.
Adding the Marinade to the Slow Cooker
How to:
The marinade can be added directly to the slow cooker along with the meat or at a later time in the cooking process. If adding it with the meat at the beginning of the cooking process, consider cutting it with another substance (such as water, pineapple juice, apple juice, or Italian dressing) to reduce the amount of sodium.Β
Benefits:
This method doesn’t require as much planning ahead and provides the ease of adding all your ingredients at the same time!Β
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use marinade as a cooking liquid in a slow cooker. Just ensure that the marinade is properly diluted, as slow cookers don’t allow for much evaporation. Add a bit of broth or water to prevent the flavors from becoming too concentrated.
While you don’t have to marinate meat before cooking in a slow cooker, marinating for a few hours or overnight can help infuse the meat with more flavor. If you’re short on time, adding the marinade directly to the slow cooker will still result in a delicious meal.
Yes, it’s safe to cook with the marinade used for raw meat as long as it reaches a safe internal temperature during cooking. In a slow cooker, the extended cooking time ensures that the marinade is heated enough to kill any harmful bacteria.
Absolutely! Vegetables can soak up the flavors of the marinade in the slow cooker. Just make sure to adjust the cooking times, as some vegetables may become too soft if cooked for too long.
Cooking times vary based on the type and size of the meat. As a general guide, chicken takes 4-6 hours on low, while larger cuts of beef or pork may take 8-10 hours. It’s best to use a meat thermometer to ensure the meat reaches a safe internal temperature.
Once the marinade has been cooked with meat, it can be reused as a sauce or gravy. If you want to reuse it, make sure to bring it to a boil to ensure it’s safe to consume.
It’s not necessary to stir the marinade frequently during cooking. Slow cookers are designed to cook food evenly, so simply adding the ingredients and letting them cook undisturbed is often best.
Adding marinade doesn’t significantly affect cooking time, but if you add a large amount of liquid, you might want to increase the cooking time slightly to ensure the meat and vegetables are fully cooked.
Yes, store-bought marinades work great in a slow cooker. Just be mindful of the salt content, as some pre-made marinades can be quite salty. You might want to adjust your seasoning accordingly.
Yes, you can make a sauce from the marinade once the slow cooking is done. Simply transfer the liquid to a saucepan, bring it to a simmer, and reduce it to your desired thickness. Adding a cornstarch slurry can help thicken the sauce quickly.