Cooking soups and stews is a beloved tradition that has been passed down through generations. It’s a great way to warm up on a cold winter evening and enjoy a comforting meal with your family.
But with so many kitchen appliances available, it can be difficult to decide which one is the best for the job.
A slow cooker is better for making soups and stews because it cooks food at low temperature for a long period of time, allowing for tough cuts of meat to be broken down and flavors to be infused. An air fryer is better for crisping and browning food, not slow cooking.
In this article, we will compare two popular appliances, the air fryer and the slow cooker, to see which one is better for making soups and stews.
Using Air Fryer for Making Soup & Stew:
Using an air fryer for making soup and stew is possible, but it’s not the traditional method and may not produce the same results as using a slow cooker. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, which is great for crisping and browning, but not for slow cooking.
If you want to use an air fryer for making soup or stew, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly.
For example, you can sauté the onions, garlic, and other aromatics in the air fryer basket, then add your liquids and other ingredients, and set the temperature and time according to the recipe.
Soup & Stew Recipe for Air Fryer
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks of celery, chopped
- 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 4 cups (0.95 l) of vegetable broth
- 2 cups (0.47 l) of water
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F (204.44 °C).
- In a large bowl, mix together the olive oil, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, potatoes, vegetable broth, water, diced tomatoes, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the mixture into a heat-proof container that fits in the air fryer basket.
- Place the container in the basket and cook for 25–30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Stir the soup occasionally during cooking.
- Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh herbs and crusty bread if desired.
Note: Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model. It’s important to check the soup regularly and adjust the cooking time as necessary.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Less oil and fat: Air fryers use hot air to cook food, resulting in a crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender. This means you can cook food with less oil and fat compared to traditional frying methods.
- Quick cooking: Air fryers cook food quickly and evenly, making them a great option for busy cooks.
- Versatile: Air fryers can be used to cook a variety of foods such as chicken, fish, vegetables, and even desserts.
- Easy to clean: Most air fryers have non-stick baskets that are easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
Cons:
- Small capacity: Air fryers have smaller capacity than ovens, which may limit the amount of food you can cook at one time.
- Not suitable for slow cooking: Air fryers are not designed for slow cooking, so they may not be the best option for making soups and stews.
- Expensive: Air fryers can be more expensive than other kitchen appliances like ovens and slow cookers.
- Limited cooking methods: Air fryers can only be used for frying, baking, and roasting, which may limit the types of food you can cook.
Overall, air fryers are a great option for those who want to cook food with less oil and fat. They are quick and easy to use, versatile, and easy to clean.
However, they may not be the best option for those who want to cook large quantities of food or make soups and stews. And it might be more expensive than other appliances.
Keep in mind: It is important to note that air fryers may not be able to break down the tough cuts of meat as well as a slow cooker, so you might want to precook them before adding to the air fryer.
It’s possible to use an air fryer for making soups and stews, it’s not the traditional method and may not produce the same results as using a slow cooker. It may require some experimentation and adjustments to cooking time and temperature to achieve the desired result.
Using Slow Cooker for Making Soup & Stews
Using a slow cooker for making soups and stews is a great option because it is specifically designed for this type of cooking. Slow cookers cook food at a low temperature for a long period of time, which allows for tough cuts of meat to become tender and flavors to infuse into the food, creating a delicious and rich taste.
To use a slow cooker for making soups and stews, you can add your ingredients to the pot in the morning and set the timer. Most slow cookers have a low and high setting, so you can adjust the cooking time according to your recipe.
For example, a stew can be cooked on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. Slow cookers also have a “keep warm” function, which allows you to keep your meal warm until you’re ready to serve it.
When preparing your ingredients, you can brown the meat and sauté the onions and garlic before adding them to the slow cooker. This will enhance the flavor of the soup or stew. You can also add your liquids, vegetables and other ingredients at this stage. Slow cookers are also great for cooking beans, lentils, and grains.
Soup & Stew Recipe for Air Fryer
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (0.45 kg) of beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons of flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 cups (0.47 l) of beef broth
- 2 cups (0.47 l) of water
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks of celery, chopped
- 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons of dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and pepper. Add the beef cubes and toss to coat.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the beef cubes and cook until browned on all sides, about 5–7 minutes.
- Transfer the beef cubes to a slow cooker.
- Add the onion, garlic, beef broth, water, carrots, celery, potatoes, diced tomatoes, thyme, and bay leaves to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8–10 hours, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- Stir the stew occasionally during cooking.
- Remove the bay leaves and serve the stew hot, garnished with fresh herbs and crusty bread if desired.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Convenient: Slow cookers are designed to be set and forgotten, allowing you to prepare meals in the morning and have them ready when you come home in the evening.
- Low and slow cooking: Slow cookers cook food at a low temperature for a long period of time, which is perfect for breaking down tough cuts of meat and infusing flavors into soups and stews.
- Keep warm function: Slow cookers have a “keep warm” function, which allows you to keep your meal warm until you’re ready to serve it.
- Large capacity: Slow cookers come in a variety of sizes, from small 4-quart models to large 8-quart models, making them a versatile and convenient option for any home cook.
Cons:
- Not suitable for quick cooking: Slow cookers are not designed for quick cooking, so they may not be the best option for those who need to prepare meals quickly.
- Limited cooking methods: Slow cookers can only be used for slow cooking, braising, and simmering, which may limit the types of food you can cook.
- Not suitable for browning: Slow cookers don’t have a high heat setting, so they may not be the best option for browning or searing meats before cooking.
- Less control over the cooking process: Slow cookers have a set low and high temperature, and a timer, which means you have less control over the cooking process.
Slow cookers are a great option for those who want to prepare meals in advance and have them ready when they come home. They are perfect for breaking down tough cuts of meat and infusing flavors into soups and stews.
However, they may not be the best option for those who need to prepare meals quickly or for those who want to brown or sear meats before cooking.
Better Option for Making Soup & Stews
A slow cooker is a better option for making soups and stews. Slow cookers are designed to cook food at a low temperature for a long period of time, which is ideal for breaking down tough cuts of meat and infusing flavors into soups and stews.
The low and slow cooking method allows for the breakdown of tough cuts of meat and infusing flavors into the food, creating a delicious and rich taste. Slow cookers also have a “keep warm” function, which allows you to keep your meal warm until you’re ready to serve it.
Additionally, slow cookers come in a variety of sizes, from small 4-quart models to large 8-quart models, making them a versatile and convenient option for any home cook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers about using an air fryer for the first time:
Q: Can I make soups and stews in an air fryer?
Yes, you can make soups and stews in an air fryer, but it’s not the traditional method and may not produce the same results as using a slow cooker. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, which is great for crisping and browning, but not for slow cooking. It may require some experimentation and adjustments to cooking time and temperature to achieve the desired result.
Q: Can I brown meat in a slow cooker?
Slow cookers don’t have a high heat setting, so they may not be the best option for browning or searing meats before cooking. However, you can brown meat in a separate pan on the stove top before adding it to the slow cooker. This will enhance the flavor of the soup or stew.
Q: How long does it take to make soup or stew in a slow cooker?
The cooking time will vary depending on the recipe and the size of the slow cooker. However, as a general rule, a stew can be cooked on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours in a slow cooker.
Q: Is a slow cooker better for making soups and stews?
Yes, a slow cooker is better for making soups and stews. Slow cookers are specifically designed for this type of cooking, with low and slow settings that allow for the breakdown of tough cuts of meat and infusing flavors into soups and stews.
Q: Can I cook large quantities of food in an air fryer?
Air fryers have smaller capacity than ovens, which may limit the amount of food you can cook at one time. You may need to cook in batches if you’re cooking large quantities of food.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the slow cooker is the better option for making soups and stews. Its low and slow cooking method is perfect for breaking down tough cuts of meat and infusing flavors into soups and stews.
The air fryer, while great for other types of cooking, is not the best choice for this type of dish. However, both appliances have their own unique features and benefits.
