The Crockpot, also known as the Slow Cooker, is a large electric cooking pot used to cook food slowly over a period of hours. It is designed as a “plug-n-drop-n-go” type of cooking. Plug it in, drop the ingredients in and go on about your day! It is a great appliance to use when you’re super busy and great to use indoors or out (weather permitting) while RV Camping. I thought it’s SO SIMPLE, it’s like Crockpot Cheating While RV Camping!

I went on a mission to create some of our favorite meals (that usually take a lot of time using the stove top) to be made easily in the Crockpot. This also gave us many more options to have a home cooked meal while camping when the guys couldn’t grill because of weather.

 

 

Why Use a Crockpot to Create Meals in the RV

You may wonder why we would use a Crockpot in an RV; I would ask you, “Why wouldn’t we?”

 

Ease of Usage

Crockpots are very easy to use, especially in the RV! It was like they were created for us RVers!

 

Simple Prep

Crockpots are the easy to create a homecooked meal in and the prep is always super simple. Crockpot Recipes usually only includes a few ingredients and most of the time are ingredients you already have on hand.

 

No Need to Stay in the RV and Cook

While RV Camping, many people like to take hikes, go fishing, take walks, ride their bikes, go swimming, as well as many other Hobbies and Entertainment that go along with RV Camping. The great thing about cooking in the Crockpot is that Dinner is ready when you get back to the campsite from all those activities!

 

Crockpot, Slow Cooker Menu Plans

Creating Crockpot, Slower Cooker Menu Plans are easy compared to trying to come up with ideas for feeding your bunch! Like we mentioned before, super simple, good Crockpot Meals usually only require a few ingredients; making your menu plans for the grocery store list a breeze as well!

 

Clean-up is a breeze! (link to clean up section)

Clean-up is a breeze with a Crockpot! You can use these awesome Crockpot Slow Cooker Liners to keep everything clean inside the Crockpot. However, if you do not use the liners, cleanup is still so much easier than regular cooking in an RV! For more information on cleaning your Crockpot, visit Crock-pot.com for their slow cooker cleaning tips!

 

Crockpots Come in Many Sizes for an RV

Crockpots come in many sizes allowing you to cook for 2 or 10 people depending on the size.

Crockpot Brand has a cute mini Crockpot called the “Little Dipper” that has a 16-ounce capacity and works perfectly for sauces, dips, and Fondue. These are perfect for small apartments, a single user, AND a smaller RV!

The most used sizes of a Crockpot are the 7-Quart and 8-Quart Crockpots.

If you are looking to purchase the Little Dipper Crockpot and the 8 Quart Crockpot, you may want to consider purchasing the bulk package that includes them both!

 

 

The Crockpot Brand New Multi Cookers

If you are like us, we really love the Crockpot Brand and trust the name. Now that Crockpot has Multi Cooker Units available, we highly recommend you consider them!

 

 

Manual Crockpot Vs. Programmable Crockpot

What is the Difference Between a Manual Crockpot and a Programmable Crockpot and which one is better?

 

Manual and Programmable Crockpots

Manual Crockpot-a Manual Crockpot is a Crockpot with 3-4 settings with a knob, usually labeled with “Low”, “High”, and “Warm” settings as well as the “Off” setting.

Programmable Crockpot-a digital “countdown” that allows you to program the cook time for 30 minutes all the way to 20 hours on a “High” or Low” setting. After the timing set is completed, the Programmable Crockpot will automatically switch to “Warm” setting.

 

Which is Better: The Manual or the Programmable Crockpot?

If you are looking for a much more detailed timeframe of cooking and availability, your best bet is to go with the Programmable Crockpot. The Programmable Crockpot just simply has more advantages than the traditional manual Crockpot.

Advantages of Using a Programmable Crockpot

1. Set it and Forget it (requires much less attention and monitoring)
2. Your food is kept warm until you arrive to eat
3. Digital Display Technology
4. Some have additional cooking functions

 

What About Using an Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker?

You absolutely can use you Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker, however, as The Mind Full Mom will tell you, it might not be as easy as you think in “How to Use Your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker: Spoiler Alert–it is NOT as easy as you think!” She explains how just hitting the “Slow Cooker” function is like turning your Insta Pot into a Slow Cooker but it’s not quite that simple. She walks you through the steps and provides you with detailed information on how to use your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker. Be sure to read her article on “How to Use Your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker” first, if you plan to try converting recipes from Crockpot to Instant Pot Slow Cooker mode.

 

Our Favorite Crockpots for the RV

Our favorite 6 qt. Crockpot is the Cook and Carry that works great for carrying the Crockpot to potlucks!

Our favorite 7 qt. Crockpot is portable and programable with a timer and a locking lid!

 

Our favorite 8 qt. Crockpot is the Multi-Use XL Express Crock Programable Slow Cooker AND Pressure Cooker!

 

Foil Handles aka Crockpot Sling

Many of the recipes we are going to share require you to use Foil Handles also known as a Crockpot Sling. The idea of the Foil Handles is to allow you to lift food out of the Crockpot and keep it in one piece. Examples would be bread, meatloaf, or those super yummy Mexican Autumn Bowls below!

 

Is it Safe to Use Aluminum Foil in a Crockpot?

The first thing you may question may be, “is it safe to put aluminum foil in a Crockpot?” The answer is, “YES”! Aluminum Foil will not hurt your Crockpot. Bonus! It also makes it easier to clean the Crockpot for recipes requiring Foil Handles and when you can’t use a Crockpot Liner.

 

TNT Time! Tips N Tricks for Your Foil Handles

*Tip! Do not forget to spray your Foil Handles with non-stick cooking spray before adding food.

*Trick! It is very important that you use a good, strong aluminum foil to create your Foil Handles! They will hold up much better.

Here is a great video by Laura Robin (video by Julie Oliver / The Ottawa Citizen) illustrating how to create a foil sling in your Crockpot.

 

 

 

You may have heard Laura Robin mention that she already has a Foil Collar in the Crockpot before adding the Foil Handles. It is not necessary to make one for the recipes we share below, however, they are helpful in creating even more stability in your Crockpot if needed for other Crockpot recipes like casseroles!

 

OK, so let’s get on to those Crockpot Cheating While RV Camping recipes, shall we? The basic Roast in the Crockpot got very boring to us so that was my first mission recipe!

 

Crockpot 4-Packets Roast

No More Plain Tasting Roasts EVER AGAIN!

I had tried many recipes for a roast, but ugh, they just tasted SO PLAIN! We crave flavor in our food, WHO DOESN’T?? I had to find one that had FLAVOR to it! That’s when I found the 4-Packet Sunday Roast recipe, however it needed a little more kick in my opinion, so I changed things up a bit for our liking and now it’s a family favorite for sure!

Crockpot 4-Packets Roast

 

Ingredients

• 4 lb Chuck Roast
• 1 Packet Brown Gravy
• 1 Packet Au Jus Mix
• 1 Packet Good Seasonings Italian Dressing Mix
• 1 Packet Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
• 2 Cups Hot Water
• 4 Cans Whole Potatoes drained

Instructions

1. Put Chuck Roast in Crockpot (can be frozen to start).
2. Pour all 4 cans of drained Potatoes around the roast.
3. In a sperate bowl, mix all the packets together.
4. Sprinkle the dry mix right on the roast.
5. Pour the hot water around the roast in corners.
6. Cover the Crockpot and cook on high 6-8 hours.

Crockpot Philly Cheese Steak

From a Crockpot?? YES PLEASE!

My husband and I LOVE the Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches that we get from our favorite take-out establishment. I knew that trying to find just the right ingredients to create our own would be difficult. Then, to find a way to make it in the Crockpot; I knew I had a challenge ahead of me. Here is what I came up with that worked like a charm THE FIRST TIME!!

 

Crockpot Philly Cheese Steak

 

Ingredients

• 2 12oz. Packages Gary’s Quick Steak Pre-Sliced Sirloin Beef for Philly Steak
• ¼ Bottle Johnny’s French Dip Au Jus Concentrated Sauce (2oz.)
• Few Sprinkles Orrington Farms’ Restaurant Style Au Jus Mix
• 8 Slices Provolone Cheese
• ½ onion chopped (if desired)
• 1 Green Bell Pepper if desired
• 8 Sandwich Rolls/Hoagie Buns

Instructions

1. Add all the beef to the Crockpot.
2. Pour 2 ounces of Johnny’s French Dip Au Jus Sauce on top of meat.
3. Sprinkle some Orrington Farms’ Au Jus Mix on top and mix well.
4. Add in chopped Green Bell Peppers and/or Onions if desired.
5. Cook in Crockpot on Low for 4 hours.
6. Load up the Sandwich Rolls with your condiments of choice (Photo shows Mayo, Green Bell Peppers and Provolone Cheese).

Crockpot Chicken and Noodles

Oh My!

I grew up with my Mom and Grandma making Chicken and Noodles in a Pressure Cooker and on the Stove Top. First, as a kid, I never really like those frozen noodles and chicken, no thanks! But as an adult, our choice in meals change and for the first time, I REALLY like those noodles now! I have no desire to use a pressure cooker and quite frankly, I don’t have the time to even try to learn how to use one anyway (sorry Mom and Grandma)! But I wanted to find a way to make a similar meal BUT EASIER! I think I found it AND more importantly, MY DAD APPROVES! (He grew up with Chicken and Noodles homemade by Grandma and my Mom) so I was honestly SHOCKED he liked this!

 

Crockpot Chicken and Noodles

 

Ingredients

• 1 24oz. Package Frozen Egg Noodles (Not Pictured in photo)

• 2 14.7oz. Can Cream of Chicken
• 1 Stick Butter
• 1 32oz. Box Chicken Broth
• 1 20oz. Bag Tyson Grilled & Ready Fully Cooked Pulled Chicken Breast
• 1 Container Microwaveable Garlic Mashed Potatoes if desired

Instructions

1. Pour the entire bag of Pulled Chicken Breasts into the Crockpot.
2. Pour 2 cans of Cream of Chicken over the meat.
3. Pour the box of Chicken Broth over that and mix a little.
4. Cut 1 stick of butter on top of mixture.
5. Cook in Crockpot for 6 hours.
6. Add entire package of Frozen Egg Noodles, stir, and cook an additional 2 hours.
7. Serve on top of Mashed Potatoes (if desired).

Crockpot Potato Soup

Crockpot to the Rescue!

I had my first Potato Soup made by my MIL years ago. It was amazing; however, it took a VERY long time to make cooking over a hot stove! We craved it often so I worked in the kitchen making it often but there was no way I had time to continue doing THAT all day on a Saturday! Crockpot to the rescue!

 

Crockpot Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 1 30oz. Bag Frozen Diced Hash Browns
• 1 30oz. Box Chicken Broth
• 1 10oz. Can Cream of Chicken
• 1 8oz. Package Cream Cheese
• 3 oz Bacon Bits
• 1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Salt and Pepper taste

Instructions

1. Pour Hash Browns into Crockpot.
2. Pour Chicken Broth over Hash Browns.
3. Add Cream of Chicken, Bacon Bits, Salt and Pepper.
4. Cover Crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours, adding Cream Cheese 1 hour before complete.
5. Serve topped with Cheddar Cheese and extra Bacon Bits

 

Crockpot Stuffed Peppers

Yum!

Crockpot Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients

• 10 Red Bell Peppers
• 2 lb Ground Beef
• Salt and Pepper
• Garlic Powder
• 2 Cups White Rice cooked
• 2 15oz. Cans Tomato Sauce
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese (to top peppers)

Instructions

1. Trim the tops off the red bell peppers and remove all seeds.
2. Brown Ground Beef and drain. Add garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste.
3. Add cooked rice to beef and mix well.
4. Arrange Red Bell Peppers in Crockpot and add rice/beef mixture inside each pepper.
5. Pour tomato sauce over all peppers.
6. Cook in Crockpot on low for 6 hours and top the peppers with the shredded cheese in the last 30 minutes.

 

 

Crockpot Zesty Stroganoff

Zesty for sure!

Crockpot Zesty Stroganoff

Ingredients

• 1 lb Stew Meat Frozen? Throw it in, it will cook fine from frozen state
• 1 Can Golden Cream of Mushroom
• 1 Package Beef Onion Soup
• 1 Cup Hot Water
• 3 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce I use much more, but thought I should tame this a bit for you all
• 3 tbsp. Frank’s Red-Hot Original Sauce Again, I use MUCH more, but taming it down here
• 1 8oz. Package Cream Cheese Another tamer
• 1 package of no yolk egg noodles cooked to package direction

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients minus the Cream Cheese and Noodles to Crockpot and stir well.
2. Cook on low or medium for 6-8 hours and add in Cream Cheese in the last 30 minutes.
3. Cook No Yolk Egg Noodles as per package directions.
4. Add Noodles to Crockpot, mix well and serve!

 

Have fun whipping up these Crockpot Cheating While RV Camping Recipes! Let us know what you think after you try them!

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