Are you a fan of liver and bacon but find the traditional stovetop cooking method to be time-consuming and messy?
Look no further than your trusty slow cooker!
With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious and tender liver and bacon dish ready to enjoy without any hassle.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of cooking liver and bacon in a slow cooker, providing tips and tricks along the way.
So grab your ingredients and let’s get started!
How To Cook Liver And Bacon In A Slow Cooker?
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
The first step in cooking liver and bacon in a slow cooker is to gather your ingredients. You will need liver, bacon, onions, garlic, mushrooms, tomato puree, beef stock, flour, salt, and pepper.
Wash and slice the liver into bite-size pieces. In a large mixing bowl, add the flour and season with salt and pepper. Then add the liver and toss, making sure each piece is coated with flour. When done, take 3 tablespoons of flour and place in a cup and add a little cold water to form a paste. We will use this to thicken the gravy later. Set aside.
Chop the bacon and slice the onions, mince garlic etc. Over a medium heat, fry off the bacon until cooked. Use a slotted spoon and put the cooked bacon on a plate, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.
Step 2: Brown The Liver
Turn the heat up on the pan and add the liver slices. Carefully turn them until they are browned on all sides then remove onto a plate.
Step 3: Cook The Onions And Mushrooms
Add the sliced onions, garlic, and mushrooms to the pan. You may need to add a drop of olive oil if there is not much fat left from cooking the liver. Gently cook until the onions are soft. If using herbs, add them now.
Step 4: Combine The Ingredients
Add the bacon and liver back to the pan with the onions and mushrooms and combine. Then add the tomato puree and beef stock. Add the cup of flour water you prepared earlier and gently stir until everything is combined.
Step 5: Slow Cook
Transfer everything into your slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 4 hours. We find that there is no difference in tenderness between cooking on low or high, so whichever suits your time better.
Step 6: Serve And Enjoy
Once your liver and bacon dish is cooked to perfection, serve it up with some fluffy mashed potatoes or your favorite side dish.
Why Use A Slow Cooker For Liver And Bacon?
Using a slow cooker is an excellent way to cook liver and bacon. Slow cooking allows the liver to cook slowly, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish that is not overcooked or tough. This method of cooking also allows the flavors of the bacon, onions, and mushrooms to infuse into the liver, creating a delicious and well-balanced meal.
When using a slow cooker, you can set it and forget it, making it an ideal cooking method for busy individuals or families. Simply prepare your ingredients, add them to the slow cooker, and let it do the work for you. You can go about your day while your liver and bacon dish cooks to perfection.
Additionally, slow cookers are known for their ability to retain moisture, which is essential when cooking liver. Liver tends to dry out quickly when overcooked or cooked at high temperatures. Slow cooking ensures that the liver remains moist and juicy while still being fully cooked.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make liver and bacon in a slow cooker, you will need the following ingredients:
– 0.5-1 pound of beef or calf liver, washed and sliced into bite-size pieces
– 4-6 slices of bacon, chopped
– 1 large onion, sliced
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 4-6 mushrooms, sliced
– 2 tablespoons of tomato puree
– 1 cup of beef stock
– 3 tablespoons of flour
– Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: herbs such as thyme or rosemary for added flavor.
Preparing The Liver
Preparing the liver is an important step in cooking liver and bacon in a slow cooker. The liver can have a strong taste, but there are ways to mellow it out. One common method is to soak the liver in milk for 1-2 hours before cooking. This helps remove any bitterness and makes the liver more tender.
Once you have soaked the liver, it’s time to prepare it for cooking. Start by washing and slicing the liver into bite-size pieces. In a large mixing bowl, add flour and season with salt and pepper. Then add the liver and toss, making sure each piece is coated with flour.
When you are done coating the liver with flour, take 3 tablespoons of flour and place it in a cup. Add a little cold water to form a paste. This will be used later to thicken the gravy.
Next, brown the liver in a pan over medium heat. Carefully turn the liver slices until they are browned on all sides. Once browned, remove them onto a plate.
In the same pan, add sliced onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Gently cook until the onions are soft. If using herbs, add them now.
Combine the bacon and liver back to the pan with the onions and mushrooms and stir to combine. Then add tomato puree and beef stock. Add the cup of flour water you prepared earlier and gently stir until everything is combined.
Transfer everything into your slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 4 hours. Once your liver and bacon dish is cooked to perfection, serve it up with some fluffy mashed potatoes or your favorite side dish.
Cooking The Bacon
Now, let’s focus on cooking the bacon for your liver and bacon slow cooker dish. While there are several methods to cook bacon, we recommend using the oven method, as it allows you to cook a large amount of bacon at once without much attention.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Lay out the bacon strips side by side on the tray, making sure not to overlap them. Cook the bacon for 10 to 20 minutes or until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. Check on it after about 10 minutes, as some ovens cook faster than others.
When the bacon is done, remove the tray from the oven and transfer the bacon with tongs to a paper towel-lined plate. If you’re rendering the bacon fat, line a fine mesh sieve with a paper towel, place it over a glass storage container, and pour the bacon fat from the sheet tray into the sieve. Cover the glass storage container and place it in the refrigerator for future cooking needs.
Using this method, you can cook a large amount of bacon at once without having to worry about turning it over or cleaning up a messy stove top. Plus, you’ll have some delicious crispy bacon to add to your slow cooker liver and bacon dish!
Combining The Liver And Bacon In The Slow Cooker
After browning the liver and cooking the onions and mushrooms, it’s time to combine all the ingredients in the slow cooker. Start by transferring the bacon and liver back to the pan with the onions and mushrooms. Then add the tomato puree and beef stock, along with the flour water mixture you prepared earlier. Gently stir everything together until it’s well combined.
Once everything is combined, transfer it to your slow cooker. Set it to cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 4 hours. We recommend checking on it occasionally to make sure there is enough liquid in the slow cooker. If it looks like it’s getting too dry, add a splash of water or beef stock.
When the liver is tender and cooked to perfection, it’s time to serve and enjoy! This dish pairs well with fluffy mashed potatoes or your favorite side dish. The slow cooking process allows all the flavors to meld together, creating a delicious and hearty meal that’s perfect for a cold winter evening.
Adding Flavor With Herbs And Spices
Adding herbs and spices to your liver and bacon dish can take it to the next level. Here are some ideas for adding extra flavor:
1. Cajun Spice Mix: To give your dish a little kick, try adding a homemade Cajun spice mix. Combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Use as much or as little as you like.
2. Italian Seasoning: For a more subtle flavor, try adding some Italian seasoning. This blend typically includes dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and sometimes sage. Sprinkle some over your liver and bacon before cooking.
3. Fresh Herbs: If you have fresh herbs on hand, such as parsley or thyme, chop them up and add them to the dish just before serving. This will give it a fresh and vibrant flavor.
4. Worcestershire Sauce: This is a classic ingredient in liver and bacon dishes that adds a tangy and savory flavor. Add a splash or two to your slow cooker before cooking for an extra boost of flavor.
Experiment with different herbs and spices to find what works best for you. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try new things!