Best Crockpot recipes for two (2024)

FAQs

What size crockpot is best for 2 people? ›

If you're most often cooking for one or two people, opt for a 2- or 3-quart slow cooker. These are great for small-batch cooking, as they prep just enough food for a couple of people.

Just be cautious of different cooking times when making two dishes. Some recipes require a longer time in the slow cooker than others. But you don't necessarily have to start cooking your two dishes at the same time and can easily add your second dish after the other one has cooked for a while.

Making a Really Small Recipe in a Really Big Slow Cooker

Add the recipe ingredients to the baking dish, sized so it's two-third to three-quarters full, then place the dish inside the bowl of the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook as directed.

The Hamilton 5 Quart Slow Cooker is large enough for a 5 lb chicken or 3 lb roast, making it perfect for meals up to 5 people.

This small slow cooker has a 2-quart capacity that feeds 2+ people and is perfect for making small meals or dips. Use the manual warm setting to keep food warm while you are serving, or for heating up leftovers.

For a family of three to five or a leftover-obsessed couple, a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker is the perfect size. It will fit almost all recipes, including typical roasts. If you've got a big family and plenty of storage room, go for the big 7 or 8-quart models.

Most crockpot recipes are designed for a 6-quart slow cooker. This size can feed a large family a single meal or give you lots of leftovers.

Standard. Standard slow cooker sizes can feed up to six people since they can hold up to 5 quarts. They are perfect for soups, stews, or larger quantities of casseroles and other meals that feed the average family.

If possible, turn the cooker on the highest setting for the first hour of cooking time and then to low or the setting called for in your recipe. Foods take different times to cook depending upon the setting used. Certainly, foods will cook faster on high than on low.

Is a mini crockpot worth it? ›

Plus, it won't take up as much space in your kitchen compared to a regular slow cooker. “I enjoy using mini slow cookers because they cook food gradually, enhance flavors, and tenderize the meat,” says Reginald Massey, professional chef and owner of Let It Marinate Catering in Atlanta.

Cooking times in Pyrex are about the same, even a little shorter in some cases but you need to lower baking temperature by 25F to avoid overcooking. Can you put a Pyrex dish in a slow cooker? Yes, of course. Pyrex was developed to withstand heat and to be shatter-resistant.

While traditional slow cookers can be high-capacity and great for serving crowds, a mini slow cooker is a perfect appliance for households of one or two that don't want to waste space or interior volume. They're also great for larger-batch dips and side dishes or warming gravy and sauces.

If you're cooking for one or two, a 1.5-3 litre pot should give you plenty of space to create some tasty meals. A cooker that's 3-5l will serve three or four people. Any more guests than that (or just big appetites) and you'll need a dish with room for 5-6l.

Whether you're cooking for two, or making a meal for the whole family, the slow cooker's generous 3.5 litre capacity can easily cook up to 4 portions at a time.

A 5- or 6-quart slow cooker is the most versatile option.

It can be used for everything from dinners to meal prep and more. If you use your slow cooker a lot, you might find it worthwhile to buy both a large and small slow cooker, because the size of the slow cooker called for in a recipe does matter.

A general guideline is to allow one quart per person then round up a bit—keep in mind slow cookers should be one-half to two-thirds full for optimal cooking. So when choosing a slow cooker, you'll want to consider two things: (1) the type of food you plan to cook and (2) how many people you need to serve.