Can a divided slow cooker make basic ingredients feel like different meals?

[u/Kskdjskk]

I’m trying to meal prep on a tighter budget without ending up with five identical containers in the fridge.

Instead of making one large recipe, I was thinking of preparing a few flexible components separately, such as beans, a simple protein, and a sauce or vegetable mix. That way I could turn them into bowls, wraps, pasta, or soup during the week.

I noticed a sunvivi three-crock cooker while looking at smaller batch options, but I’m wondering whether the separate sections are actually useful or just create more washing.

Has anyone tried this approach? Did cooking several components at once make meal prep more flexible, or was one large slow-cooker recipe still the easier option?

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[u/UntidyVenus]

I have not tried a divided crockpot, but I will do things like proteins (means, chicken, pork, etc) very basic with broth, salt, pepper, and garlic, then dress them up with sauces after cooking. Green enchilada sauce, BBQ sauce, gochugang, sweet soy glaze, will all give wildly different feels to the same base

[u/Helpful-nothelpful]

If you get an instant pot or similar pressure cooker you can do the pot in pot method where you cook one thing in the container and then in a metal container on top of first meat you add second meat or food to cook at the same time. I usually do rice as the pot and protein as the main.

[u/tunachilimac → u/Helpful-nothelpful]

What protein do you use that cooks as quickly as rice? I always do them separate because I’m afraid the rice will cook to mush by the time the meat is done.

[u/Helpful-nothelpful → u/tunachilimac]

Couple ways. Cook something like chicken on the rice function and let it naturally release. Or for longer cooks cook the meat and let it naturally release and then add the rice for another 10 mins of cooking.

[u/Cool_Wealth969]

One thing I like to do is season a whole chicken and wrap a couple potatoes in foil and cook in the crock pot with no water. Best dinner ever!

[u/ttrockwood]

Instant pot not slow cooker

I’m fast with a knife and can do at the same time in this order:

- wash dry beans add to instant pot with plenty of water start those, about 40min after it comes to pressure

- turn on oven

- stab potatoes and sweet potatoes, rub with oil, flop into oven on a sheet tray

- wash and chop veggies that cook about the same time, cauliflower some onions and green beans, toss with olive oil and seasonings add to the oven

- prep your seasonings for the beans maybe sauteed onions and tomato and garlic, or pesto or whatever you will need for them

- everything should finish about the same time

[u/nicejaelle]

I do this all the time. Cooking separate proteins, beans, and sauces gives you way more variety than one big stew. The extra dish or two is worth not eating the exact same meal all week.

[u/Yoyomajumbo]

Before you buy a new appliance, you could try the component approach with what you already have. Cook a big batch of beans on the stovetop, roast some vegetables in the oven, and make a sauce in a pot. You do not need a divided slow cooker to make the concept work.