Slow Cooker Cooking Times: 20+ Foods
Slow cookers hold food between 170-280F depending on the low/high setting. Low cooks at roughly 190F, high at roughly 300F at the walls. The key rule: do not lift the lid. Every time you open it, the temperature drops 15-20F and adds 20-30 minutes of cook time. Tough, collagen-rich cuts (chuck roast, pork shoulder, short ribs) are ideal. Lean cuts like chicken breast dry out because there is no fat to compensate for the long cook time.
Slow Cooker Cook Times Chart
| Food ▲ | Temp ? | Time | Safe Temp ? | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Back Ribs | low | 7-8 hrs | 145°F | Pork |
| Beef Brisket | low | 8-10 hrs | 145°F | Beef |
| Beef Shanks | low | 7-9 hrs | 145°F | Beef |
| Beef Short Ribs | low | 8-10 hrs | 145°F | Beef |
| Beef Stew | low | 7-8 hrs | 165°F | Prepared Dishes |
| Beef Stew Meat | low | 7-8 hrs | 145°F | Beef |
| Bottom Round Roast | low | 8-10 hrs | 145°F | Beef |
| Chili (Slow Cooker) | low | 6-8 hrs | 165°F | Prepared Dishes |
| Corned Beef | low | 8-10 hrs | 145°F | Beef |
| Country Style Ribs | low | 7-8 hrs | 145°F | Pork |
| Ham (Spiral Cut) | low | 6-8 hrs | 145°F | Pork |
| Lamb Shanks | low | 7-9 hrs | 145°F | lamb |
| Lamb Shoulder Roast | low | 8-10 hrs | 145°F | lamb |
| Pork Loin Roast | low | 6-8 hrs | 145°F | Pork |
| Pork Shoulder (Pork Butt) | low | 8-10 hrs | 145°F | Pork |
| Pot Roast (Chuck Roast) | low | 8-10 hrs | 145°F | Beef |
| Pulled Pork | low | 8-10 hrs | 145°F | Pork |
| Turkey Breast | low | 6-8 hrs | 165°F | Poultry |
| Turkey Legs | low | 6-8 hrs | 165°F | Poultry |
| Whole Chicken | low | 6-8 hrs | 165°F | Poultry |
Showing 20 foods. Click column headers to sort. Times are for standard portions at the recommended temperature.
Browse Slow Cooker Times by Category
Pork (6)
Beef (7)
Prepared Dishes (2)
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Need to convert temperatures? Use the temperature converteror check the weight-based cooking calculator.