3 no-recipe slow cooker stars

Many slow cooker favourites are so simple that they don't even require a recipe--just a simple formula that creates delicious food every single time. If recipes aren't really your thing, here are three no-recipe favourites for your next slow-cooker meal.

A hearty, delicious stew is one of the simplest things you can make in a slow cooker as they are extremely filling. To get started on your own stew, keep this formula in mind: protein + vegetables + broth.

Fill the bottom of the slow cooker with the vegetables of your choice (onions, cubed potatoes, tomatoes, celery, carrots). Then add the protein of your choice (chopped beef, chicken, or pork should do). Cover to the top with your favourite broth, then cook on low for at least six hours. Season to taste and enjoy a soup that's hearty enough for dinner.

One of the main advantages of a slow cooker is its ability to turn somewhat dry meats into succulent dinner stars. For tender, flavorful meats, try this formula: meat + sauce.

For example, pair boneless, skinless chicken breasts with a large jar of salsa and cook on low for six hours or so. Or, pop open a jar of marinara and pour over browned hamburger meat for a hearty spaghetti sauce that's packed with flavour.

Be careful: depending on the temperature of your slow cooker, meat may dry out if it doesn't have enough liquid. Check in at the two- and four-hour marks and add a splash of water, broth or sauce as .

Did you know that you can roast a whole chicken in your slow cooker? This concept is so simple it doesn't even require a formula. Simply wash a whole chicken, pat with paper towels, and give a quick coat with olive oil and your favourite herbs and spices (or simple salt and pepper). Set the chicken atop a bed of sliced onions in the slow cooker. Cook on the low setting for between four and eight hours. The chicken will give out so many delicious juices, it doesn't even require water or broth.

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