6 Can Crock Pot Taco Soup - Recipes That Crock! (2024)

FAQs

How long can you let soup cook in a crock pot? ›

Recipes with meat like chili and pork shoulder are best when cooked for six hours minimum or up to ten hours. Vegetarian recipes are best cooked for around four hours, but can do a minimum of two hours or maximum of six hours (after which the vegetables start to get unpleasantly mushy).

Add a slurry at the end.

A slurry is a mixture of flour and water, whisked together until smooth and added towards the end of cooking; it's a super-simple way to thicken any soup. For slow cooker soups, add your slurry with at least 30 minutes of cook time left so that the raw flour can cook and thicken the soup.

How do you thicken taco soup? You shouldn't need to thicken this taco soup—the meat and vegetables make it pretty chunky. If needed, you can add refried beans, other mashed beans or rice to thicken it up.

That's because the low, slow style of cooking lets the flavors simmer together for hours, creating a much richer and more flavorful meal. Enjoy!

Stick to the cook time indicated on your recipe

In general, it's best to stick to the indicated cook time on the recipe you're following. Most slow cooker meals take 8-12 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high, but there are also recipes for slow-cooked meat that take up to 24 hours.

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

Use cornstarch at the end of the cooking time. In a little bowl stir together a couple of tablespoons of cornstarch and a couple tablespoons water. Turn the slow cooker to high and stir in the cornstarch mixture. Keep the lid off and let the sauce get thickened up.

Cooking for too long: Slow cookers are designed to cook food over a long period of time, but if the food is left to cook for too long, it can break down and become watery. Type of ingredients: Certain ingredients, such as vegetables, can release a lot of liquid as they cook, contributing to a watery dish.

The good news is you can remove this extra liquid with a ladle or leave the lid ajar to encourage evaporation and thicken the sauce — just wait until the end of the cooking process to do it.

Simmer for Longer

If you have the time, simmering your taco soup for a longer period can help to thicken it naturally. As the soup cooks, the liquid will reduce and evaporate, resulting in a thicker consistency.

How to thicken a Mexican soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

Whisking beurre manié (butter-flour paste) into simmering soup is the best way to thicken an otherwise too-watery soup. Add bits of the paste gradually and simmer to cook out any raw flour taste. The broth will be velvety smooth, rich, and thick.

Ground black pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes can add a hint of heat. Aromatics:Sautéing aromatic vegetables like onions, garlic, and celery before adding the broth can build a flavorful base. Consider adding ginger or lemongrass for an extra layer of taste.

If you're cooking for yourself or for only two people, a 2 1/2 to 3 1/2-quart slow cooker might be large enough. It's great for smaller amounts of soups and stews. Many slow cooker recipes are written for 6-quart models and can simply be halved for this size.

Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples

Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients.

While leaving it on for days is certainly not recommended, most programmable slow cookers have a 24 hour cycle; after that, the slow cooker would shut off automatically. That's a lot longer than I was expecting, and than I would assume anyone plans to leave their slow cooker on.

Can you overcook something in a slow cooker? Slow cookers are specially designed to cook food for long periods of time, but yes, you can still overcook in a slow cooker if something is left on the wrong setting for longer than it's supposed to be.

Yes, you can use your slow cooker for longer than eight hours, as long as you keep an eye on it. Many slow cookers do have an automatic shutoff after 24 hours.

Long-cooking slow cooker recipes that cook for at least nine to 10 hours are a necessity for today's busy cook. Full work days plus commuting time usually add up to at least nine to 10 hours. Recipes that cook in five to six hours, even on low, just won't work for many families.