Wouldn’t you love to come home to a home-cooked meal? The only way this happens in my house is if I use my crockpot. All working moms need a crockpot!
This post is part of our 31 Things Every Working Mom Needs series. To read all the posts in order, visit the introduction post to see the outline for the whole series.
My mom had a crockpot and my grandma had one, too. I used to think the only thing they were good for was making pot roast (after you seared the meat on the stove).
Fast forward 20 years. Just about any recipe can be altered to cook in a crockpot. I began seriously cooking in mine when returning to work after I had my daughter (who will be turning seven this year).
In an overwhelmed panic, I had a conversation with my lactation consultant who was a very busy single, working mom with four kids. I frantically asked her how she got everything done. That’s when she told me her secret…the crockpot.
I don’t know how I would survive without my crockpot. Seriously, a crockpot can make a working mom’s life so much easier. Your dinner is literally cooking while you work! So, let it work for you! (Affiliate links used in this post.)
5 Reasons Why All Working Moms Need a Crockpot
1. Cook Your Dinner the Night Before
Cooking the slow way using a crock pot is very easy to do – just layer your food into the insert, set it, and forget it! It’s really that easy.
The night before I take a few minutes to prep the meal and throw it in the crock pot. When I wake up in the morning, my dinner is already done! I can refrigerate it and just reheat the portions I need at dinner (if my 13-year-old son doesn’t beat me to it!).
2. Cook Your Dinner While You Work
Slow cookers and crock pots allow you to cook an entire family meal in one dish. There is little fuss and no mess to clean up afterward. So spend more time with your family and less time in the kitchen preparing meals.
I can also set up my slow cooker in the morning before heading off to work and when I come home dinner is done and ready to serve. Most slow cooker recipes are easy to prepare. Here are a few of my favorite crockpot meals: 30 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes.
3. Only One Pot to Clean (At Most)
If your slow cooker has a removable crock then cleaning up is just that much easier – just place the crock in the sink for a good soak and wipe clean.
If you like having one pot (at most) to clean, you will love the crockpot. These liners ensure fast, easy cleanup with no soaking or scrubbing. It makes slow cooking easier by eliminating clean up. Every slow cooker owner should have these.
4. Serve From the Same Pot
Removable crocks or inserts also cut down on clean ups by allowing you to serve a meal in the crock itself and store leftovers in the refrigerator – this is single dish cooking, serving, and storing at its best.
If you like being about to serve in the same dish, the crockpot is for you. Just place a heat resistant hot pad on the table and serve right out of the pot.
5. Store in the Same Pot
I’ve tried several different methodologies in saving time when it comes to preparing meals after a days work. Freezer cooking, while a great concept, has never really stuck with me. Instead, I tend to default to a few great recipes that everyone in the family loves.
I love being able to store leftovers in the crockpot, too.
So if you’re into easy cooking, cleaning, serving, and storing, start using a crockpot today!
Recommended Crockpots for Working Moms
3-In-1 Cook Central 6-Quart Multi-Cooker: Slow Cooker, Brown/Saute, Steamer
6.5-Quart, Programmable Touchscreen Slow Cooker
Set ‘n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker With Temperature Probe, 6-Quart
Did you know you can prepare a Whole Chicken in Crock Pot? Here are a few of my favorite crock pot meals: 30 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes. If you’re not sure how to decide what’s for dinner, check out my Meal Planning for Working Moms tips.
Do you own a crockpot? What’s your favorite recipe?
[…] I think that everyone needs one. Its great for roasting a chicken. […]