10 Delicious Slow Cooker Chinese Dishes You Need To Try

Are you in the mood for something deliciously Asian, but don't want the hassle of complex recipes and exotic ingredients? Slow cookers offer a magical solution, allowing you to savor the complex, savory flavors of Chinese cuisine with minimal effort. Here are ten dishes that you'll love preparing in your slow cooker:

🍲 Braised Chinese Spare Ribs

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Chinese+spare+ribs" alt="Chinese Spare Ribs"> </div> Ingredients: Pork ribs, hoisin sauce, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, five-spice powder.

Method:

• Preparation: Pat dry the ribs and coat with a mixture of hoisin, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and five-spice powder.
• Slow Cooking: Place the ribs in the slow cooker, ensuring they are well covered with the sauce. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
• Serving: Thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry and serve with a side of steamed rice or noodles.

<p class="pro-note">🍴 Note: If you don't have Shaoxing wine, dry sherry or even mirin can be a substitute, albeit with a slightly different flavor profile.</p>

🍛 Slow Cooker Chinese Hot Pot

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Chinese+hot+pot" alt="Chinese Hot Pot"> </div> Ingredients: Beef or lamb slices, tofu, mushrooms, bok choy, noodles, chili oil, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, chicken stock.

Method:

• Broth: Combine chicken stock with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a touch of chili oil in the slow cooker.
• Cook: Let it cook on low heat for 2-4 hours to develop flavors.
• Add Ingredients: Halfway through, add thinly sliced meat, vegetables, and noodles. Allow them to cook until tender.

<p class="pro-note">💡 Note: Traditional hot pot requires cooking at the table, but the slow cooker can make it a more relaxed affair with the same delicious results.</p>

🐷 Slow-Cooked Pork Belly

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Slow-cooked+pork+belly" alt="Slow-cooked Pork Belly"> </div> Ingredients: Pork belly, dark soy sauce, soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, star anise, cloves, cinnamon, garlic, ginger.

Method:

• Marinate: Rub the pork belly with a mixture of sauces, sugar, and spices. Marinate for at least an hour or overnight.
• Cook: Place in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours until the pork is tender.
• Serve: Slice into bite-sized pieces and serve with your favorite steamed vegetables.

<p class="pro-note">🔥 Note: The key to melt-in-your-mouth pork belly is patience; let it cook long enough to render the fat completely.</p>

🍜 Slow Cooker Lo Mein

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Slow+cooker+lo+mein" alt="Slow Cooker Lo Mein"> </div> Ingredients: Lo mein noodles, chicken or pork, cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, green onions, oyster sauce, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil.

Method:

• Preparation: In a separate pan, stir-fry the vegetables and meat until slightly cooked.
• Slow Cook: Transfer to the slow cooker, add noodles and sauces, and mix well. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.

<p class="pro-note">🍜 Note: To avoid overcooking the noodles, stir them into the sauce at the end of the cooking time.</p>

🍝 Slow Cooker Chinese Beef Stew

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Slow+cooker+Chinese+beef+stew" alt="Slow Cooker Chinese Beef Stew"> </div> Ingredients: Beef chuck, daikon, carrots, green onions, star anise, dark soy sauce, soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, garlic, ginger.

Method:

• Brown: Brown the beef for better flavor.
• Cook: Add all ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-9 hours until the beef is fork-tender.
• Serve: Serve over rice or with freshly baked bread.

<p class="pro-note">🌟 Note: Browning the meat before slow cooking can give your stew an extra depth of flavor.</p>

🐥 Slow-Cooked Chicken with Mushroom Sauce

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Chicken+with+mushroom+sauce" alt="Chicken with Mushroom Sauce"> </div> Ingredients: Chicken thighs, mushrooms, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, garlic, ginger, chicken stock, green onions.

Method:

• Preparation: Sear chicken thighs if desired.
• Cook: Place all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
• Thicken: If needed, thicken the sauce with a slurry at the end.

<p class="pro-note">🍖 Note: The slow cooker makes chicken incredibly moist; ensure the sauce isn't too thin for a rich experience.</p>

🥢 Slow Cooker Char Siu Bao (BBQ Pork Buns)

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Char+Siu+Bao" alt="Char Siu Bao"> </div> Ingredients: For the filling: Pork shoulder, char siu sauce, hoisin sauce, red bean curd, sugar, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil. For the dough: Flour, sugar, yeast, baking powder, water.

Method:

• Prepare Filling: Make the filling by cooking pork with the marinade ingredients until tender, then cool.
• Dough: Prepare the dough, let it rise, divide, and stuff with the filling.
• Steam: Steam the buns in a steamer or use the slow cooker with steam settings if available.

<p class="pro-note">📝 Note: Traditional Char Siu Bao uses a fermented red bean curd for color, but hoisin and food coloring can also work.</p>

🍵 Slow Cooker Chinese Noodle Soup

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Chinese+noodle+soup" alt="Chinese Noodle Soup"> </div> Ingredients: Chicken, rice noodles, bok choy, mushrooms, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, chicken stock, green onions, chili oil.

Method:

• Cook: Combine all ingredients except noodles in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours.
• Noodles: Add noodles at the end, cook until tender, and serve.

<p class="pro-note">🍜 Note: Adding the noodles last ensures they don't turn mushy.</p>

🐠 Slow Cooked Fish Congee

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Fish+congee" alt="Fish Congee"> </div> Ingredients: White fish, rice, chicken or fish stock, ginger, scallions, soy sauce, sesame oil.

Method:

• Preparation: Rinse rice and soak for 30 minutes.
• Cook: Add soaked rice, stock, and seasonings to the slow cooker, cook on high for 4 hours, then reduce to low for another 2 hours.
• Add Fish: Add fish pieces in the last 30 minutes of cooking.

<p class="pro-note">🐟 Note: A slow cooker gives congee its signature silky texture; don't skimp on the cooking time.</p>

🍣 Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=Beef+and+broccoli" alt="Beef and Broccoli"> </div> Ingredients: Beef sirloin, broccoli, soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, beef stock, cornstarch.

Method:

• Marinate: Marinate the beef slices in half the sauces and oil for 30 minutes.
• Cook: Place in the slow cooker, add remaining ingredients except broccoli, and cook on low for 6 hours.
• Finish: Add broccoli florets in the last 30 minutes of cooking, ensuring they remain bright green and tender.

<p class="pro-note">🌿 Note: Broccoli should be added later in the process to retain its vibrant color and crisp texture.</p>

The magic of slow cooking lies in its simplicity and depth of flavor. Each of these dishes captures the essence of Chinese cuisine, where the slow infusion of spices, sauces, and aromatics transforms everyday ingredients into dishes with profound taste profiles. Whether you're looking for comforting bowls of stew or quick, convenient meals, the slow cooker makes preparing these dishes a joy.

With these recipes, you're not just cooking; you're embarking on a culinary journey, savoring the flavors of China in the comfort of your own home. Enjoy the journey, one delicious bite at a time!

Frequently Asked Questions

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I cook these dishes in a regular pot?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes, you can adapt most of these recipes for stovetop cooking, though you'll need to adjust cooking times and monitor the food more closely to prevent burning or overcooking.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Do I need special ingredients for these dishes?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Some recipes call for traditional Chinese ingredients like Shaoxing wine or five-spice powder. However, there are usually substitutes or you can find these ingredients in Asian grocery stores or online.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How do I thicken sauces in a slow cooker?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Create a slurry with cornstarch and water, then add it to the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking. Alternatively, you can also reduce the sauce on the stovetop to thicken it after cooking.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I freeze leftovers from these slow cooker dishes?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Absolutely, most of these dishes can be frozen and reheat well. Just ensure they're cooled to room temperature before freezing, and leave some space for expansion.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>