Crockpots are a convenient way to make flavorful, hearty soups with minimal effort. The low, slow cooking allows the ingredients to meld together into a delicious soup. But how long can you safely leave soup simmering in the crockpot? Here’s a look at some general guidelines for how long soups can cook in a crockpot.
Factors That Affect Simmer Time
There are a few key factors that impact how long soup can simmer in a crockpot:
- Ingredients – Heartier ingredients like beans, meat, and potatoes take longer to become tender and incorporate flavors than quick-cooking vegetables.
- Liquid Content – Thicker soups with less liquid may scorch if left simmering too long. Soups with more liquid can simmer longer.
- Fat Content – Fat helps insulate the soup and prevents scorching. Low-fat soups are more likely to burn and may need shorter cook times.
- Crockpot Settings – Most crockpots cook on either low or high. The higher heat of the high setting cooks food faster so soup won’t need to simmer as long.
General Simmer Time Guidelines
Taking into account the factors above, here are some general guidelines for how long different types of soup can simmer in a crockpot:
| Soup Type | Simmer Time on Low | Simmer Time on High |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetable soups with quick-cooking ingredients like zucchini, tomatoes, peas | 4-6 hours | 3-4 hours |
| Hearty vegetable soups with potatoes, carrots, beans | 6-8 hours | 4-6 hours |
| Chicken noodle soups | 6-8 hours | 4-6 hours |
| Beef and bean chili | 8-10 hours | 6-8 hours |
| Minestrone, lentil, split pea | 8-12 hours | 6-10 hours |
These times are just general guidelines, as simmer times can vary depending on the specific ingredients in a recipe. Get to know your crockpot and how quickly it cooks to determine the best time for your soups.
Tips for Simmering Soup in a Crockpot
Follow these tips to safely simmer soup for long periods of time in your crockpot:
- Give it a stir – Periodically stir thick soups to prevent scorching on the bottom and ensure even cooking.
- Watch the liquid level – Add more stock or water if the level gets too low.
- Keep the lid on – Removing the lid frequently lets heat escape and makes the cooking time longer.
- Add dairy at the end – Ingredients like milk, cream, and cheese should be added towards the end to prevent curdling.
- Mind food safety – Don’t keep soup simmering for longer than 12 hours, even on low. Toss soup left out overnight.
What Happens If Soup Simmers Too Long?
While crockpots are very forgiving, it is possible to overcook soup if left simmering too long. Here’s what can happen if soup simmers for too long:
- Loss of liquid – Extended simmering causes water to evaporate, making the texture overly thick.
- Mushy vegetables – Delicate veggies like zucchini become mushy and lose texture.
- Tough beans or meat – These ingredients can get tough and rubbery if overcooked.
- Off flavors – Soup left for extreme times can take on burnt, bitter flavors.
- Food safety issues – Extended cook times allow bacterial growth, especially on “warm” setting.
Follow the recommended times for your specific crockpot model and recipe. If soup starts to smell burnt or look excessively thick, it’s likely overcooked. Stick to the guidelines of 12 hours maximum to avoid safety issues.
Conclusion
In general, most soups can safely simmer between 4-12 hours on low or 3-10 hours on high in a crockpot. Quick vegetable soups need less time while hearty stews with meat and beans require longer. Pay attention to liquid levels, stir periodically, and don’t exceed food safety recommendations. Following these crockpot soup simmering guidelines will allow you to come home to a hot, flavorful bowl of soup any night of the week with minimal effort.