Slow cooking can’t get any easier than McCormick’s

Who needs a recipe? Just toss a new seasoning packet from McCormick in your shopping cart, pick up the ingredients listed on the package, and a home-cooked meal will be waiting after work.

Seasoning maker McCormick’s new Slow Cookers were a hit with The Spokesman-Review’s Reader Food Panel. The panel members tasted the Italian Herb Chicken, BBQ Pulled Pork and Savory Pot Roast. The chicken earned four stars for flavor, the barbecue pork chalked up three-and-a-half stars, while the pot roast got a respectable three stars.

“This looks and tastes homemade. The chicken is very tender and moist, and the veggies are fresh tasting and large. Well seasoned with a sauce that could stand out on its own. A winner!” said Tina Johnson of the Italian Herb Chicken.

“Tender chicken chunks that fall apart at the touch of a fork, in a pleasingly chunky tomato sauce,” said Donald Clegg. “No match for homemade but darn good for what it is.”

To make McCormick’s Slow Cookers, you buy the meat and vegetables and stir in the seasoning packet and some liquid. Then, the slow cooker does the rest of the work. The Italian Herb Chicken includes chicken, mushrooms, stewed tomatoes and tomato paste.

Some panel members also enjoyed the BBQ Pulled Pork seasoning.

“Slightly sweet, slightly tangy but not too overpowering. Overall, pretty darn tasty,” said Skip Hubbard.

But not everyone was impressed. Laura Hollman had to plug her nose for a taste.

“I have never before felt like I was putting my life on the line for you, Spokesman readers. Here I go: Sugary-sweet, vaguely barbecue flavor. Awful appearance. … The watery, dare I say juice, soaked through the bun. I think I may have a toothache. Only time will tell if I survive this one. Pray for me.”

The pot roast scored the lowest among the slow cooker recipes. Many of the tasters felt there wasn’t enough seasoning in the packet.

“A bit bland. … Some herb, any herb, would be an improvement,” Clegg said.

Marilyn Moore added: “Needs salt and pepper and some ketchup on the meat.”

“As packaged, this is tremendously bland, but it’s nothing a quick trip to the pantry wouldn’t solve. It certainly is a good foundation to work with,” Hubbard said.

McCormick also makes a Hearty Beef Stew flavoring packet. They sell for $1.59 each.

McCormick Slow Cookers, Italian Herb Chicken

Price: $1.59 per 1.6-ounce package

Nutrition per serving: 15 calories, no fat, 2 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 400 milligrams sodium.

Taste: “ “ “ “

Value: “ “ “

Comments: “Giant chunks of white chicken and lovely tomatoes in an herby, tangy sauce! Success! – Laura Hollman

“This looks and tastes homemade. … Well seasoned with a sauce that could stand on its own.” – Tina Johnson

“Chicken is tender and tasty. Sauce is well seasoned and not overpowering. Nummy!” – Larry Inman

McCormick Slow Cookers, BBQ Pulled Pork

Price: $1.59 per 1.6-ounce package

Nutrition per serving: 15 calories, no fat, 2 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 450 milligrams sodium.

Taste: “ “ “ 1/2

Value: “ “ “ 1/2

Comments: “Slightly sweet, slightly tangy, not too overpowering. Overall, pretty darn tasty.” — Skip Hubbard

“The fake smoke flavor is terribly unappealing. Too watery, as well. Still, it’s hard to reject one of my favorite types of food. It would get passing marks with our favorite hot sauce.” – Donald Clegg

“Tender, mildly seasoned. … Good, but not great.” – Larry Inman

McCormick Slow Cookers, Savory Pot Roast

Price: $1.59 per 1.6-ounce package

Nutrition per serving: 15 calories, no fat, 2 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 440 milligrams sodium.

Taste: “ “ “

Value: “ “ “

Comments: “Vegetables are perfect but the meat is dry and flavorless. At least needs seasoning to even be slightly enjoyable.” – Larry Inman

“I must be alone on this one. … but I think this roast and veggies are really good, though slightly underflavored. Nothing a salt and pepper shaker can’t fix.” – Tina Johnson

“Bland with an emphasis on bland. Needs a good deal of pepper.” – Laura Hollman