There are many slow cooker recipes that have you brown the meat before you add it to the slow cooker. I always am troubled by the “browning” step because I hate to dirty an extra dish…plus doesn’t the meat just cook in the slow cooker anyhow? Well, I’ve come to realize that if you don’t brown the meat it does cook and it usually turns out fine. However, if you really want to give your meat a more complex flavor and an appetizing color you might just want to take the extra 10 minutes and dirty that pan. Just coat the meat with a little four and seasonings and “sear” it with a little oil in a hot skillet for a few minutes and you’ll be sure to have an appetizing dinner awaiting you at 6 o’clock!
So true! I used to try and shortcut in the crockpot (isn't that the point of it) but browning the meat, even when you put it in the crockpot really makes a world of difference! It's so worth the extra 10 minutes and mess. Great post & tip- I think that a lot of people wonder about that. Your meat will be more flavorful and the overall texture is much better. Go for browning!