Slow Cooker Conversion
Written by Mustapha B. · Updated August 13, 2026
Adapting a recipe for the slow cooker? Pick the original cooking time to get the low and high slow-cooker times.
Slow cooker time
Low 4–6 hrs · High 1.5–2.5 hrs
Slow Cooker Conversion, full chart
| Original stovetop / oven time | Slow cooker time |
|---|---|
| 15–30 minutes | Low 4–6 hrs · High 1.5–2.5 hrs |
| 30–60 minutes | Low 6–8 hrs · High 3–4 hrs |
| 1–3 hours | Low 8–10 hrs · High 4–6 hrs |
Tips
- As a rule of thumb, 1 hour of simmering ≈ 6–8 hours on low or 3–4 on high.
- Reduce liquid by about a third, slow cookers lose very little to evaporation.
- Add dairy, delicate herbs and seafood near the end so they don’t break down.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert oven time to slow cooker?
Roughly, 15–30 minutes of oven/stovetop time becomes 4–6 hours on low (1.5–2.5 on high); 30–60 minutes becomes 6–8 hours low; and 1–3 hours becomes 8–10 hours low. Reduce the liquid by about a third.