How to Use Marinade in a Slow Cooker

Marinade pouring 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:

  •  Marinating the Meat in the Fridge
  • Adding the Marinade to the Slow Cooker
Marinade pouring in a 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. 

Benefits:

This method doesn’t require as much planning ahead and provides the ease of adding all your ingredients at the same time!