Crockpot beef

This crockpot beef recipe is perfect for busy days. With minimal prep and just a few ingredients, you’ll have tender, juicy beef that’s full of flavor. The slow cooker does all the work, making it a simple and time-saving dish. Whether it’s a weeknight or weekend, this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.

Key Benefits of Crockpot Beef

Cooking beef in a crockpot not only saves you time but also brings out rich, tender flavors that make every bite worth savoring. Here are some key benefits of using a slow cooker for your beef dishes:

• Convenience: Simply add your ingredients to the crockpot, set the timer, and let it do the work. No constant monitoring is needed, allowing you to focus on other tasks or relax.
• Tender, Juicy Beef: The slow-cooking process allows the beef to absorb all the flavors, breaking down tough cuts into melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. It’s a great way to cook cheaper cuts of beef without sacrificing flavor.
• Enhanced Flavor: As the beef simmers for hours, the flavors have plenty of time to meld together, creating a rich, savory dish that’s packed with depth. The slow cooker is perfect for infusing spices and herbs into every bite.
• Set-It-and-Forget-It: Once your ingredients are in the crockpot, you don’t have to worry about timing the cooking process. It’s ideal for busy days or meal prep, and you can enjoy a hot, comforting meal when you’re ready.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch of this crockpot beef recipe and use it for several meals throughout the week. It stores well in the fridge or freezer, so you can enjoy it for lunch or dinner without additional cooking.

The crockpot is one of the most versatile kitchen tools when it comes to preparing beef, offering both ease and delicious results.

Ingredients for Crockpot Beef

Beef Chuck Roast: The best cut for crockpot beef, making the meat tender and juicy. Avoid lean cuts like sirloin.

Onion: Adds savory flavor that softens and blends with the beef during cooking.

Garlic: Fresh garlic gives a fragrant taste. Garlic powder can be used if needed.

Beef Broth: Adds liquid and flavor to the beef. Use low-sodium if preferred.

Soy Sauce: Enhances flavor with umami and a bit of saltiness. Tamari or coconut aminos work for gluten-free.

Worcestershire Sauce: Adds tangy, sweet notes to complement the beef’s flavor.

Dried Thyme: Adds an earthy, minty flavor that pairs well with beef.

Dried Rosemary: Adds a woodsy flavor but should be used sparingly.

Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing flavor.

Olive Oil: Used for searing the beef, adding depth of flavor. Optional if skipping the searing step.

Instructions

This crockpot beef recipe is as easy as it gets! Follow these simple steps to create a meal that’s bursting with flavor:

Sear the Beef (Optional): Heat olive oil in a skillet and brown the beef on all sides (2-3 minutes per side). This adds flavor, but it’s optional if you’re short on time.

Prepare the Crockpot: Place the beef in the crockpot. Add the sliced onion and minced garlic on top.

Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in beef broth, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Sprinkle thyme and rosemary over the beef and add salt and pepper.

Cook: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Cooking on low gives the beef more tenderness.

Shred the Beef: Once tender, remove the beef and shred it with two forks. It should fall apart easily and be full of flavor.

Serve and Enjoy: Return the shredded beef to the crockpot, mix it with the juices, and serve. It’s great on its own or in tacos, sandwiches, or over mashed potatoes.

Pro Tips

To make sure your crockpot beef turns out tender and packed with flavor, here are some helpful tips that will take your cooking to the next level:

Choose the Right Cut of Beef:
For the best results, use cuts like beef chuck roast or brisket. These cuts have more fat and connective tissue, which break down beautifully in the slow cooker, resulting in juicy, tender meat. Avoid lean cuts like sirloin, as they can dry out.

Don’t Skip the Searing:
While optional, searing the beef before adding it to the crockpot adds incredible depth of flavor. The browned exterior creates a rich, caramelized crust that enhances the overall taste. If you’re in a rush, you can skip this step, but I highly recommend it if you have the time.

Use Quality Broth:
The flavor of your beef depends a lot on the broth you use. Go for beef broth that’s rich and flavorful. If you want an extra depth of flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar to the broth.

Season Well:
Don’t be shy with your seasonings. A little extra thyme and rosemary go a long way in boosting the flavor. You can also add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle kick or a spoonful of mustard for a tangy twist.

Don’t Overcrowd:
When adding extra veggies like carrots or potatoes, be sure not to overcrowd the crockpot. This will allow the beef to cook evenly and absorb all the flavors from the broth and seasonings.

Let It Rest:
After shredding the beef, let it rest in the juices for at least 10 minutes. This will allow the meat to soak up even more flavor, making each bite extra delicious.

Check for Doneness:
Every crockpot is different, so always check the beef after the recommended cooking time. If it’s not quite tender yet, just give it a little more time to cook until it falls apart easily.

Variations

One of the best things about this crockpot beef recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you’re looking to change up the flavor profile or add some extra nutrition, here are a few variations you can try:

Add Vegetables:
Throw in some carrots, potatoes, or parsnips in the last hour of cooking. These hearty veggies soak up the savory broth and become perfectly tender by the end of the cooking time. They also add a wonderful depth of flavor to the dish.

Spicy Kick:
If you like a bit of heat, stir in some jalapeños, chili flakes, or even a dash of hot sauce. This will add a zesty kick to your slow-cooked beef, balancing the richness with a bit of spice.

BBQ Beef:
For a barbecue twist, replace the beef broth with BBQ sauce. You can also add a little smoked paprika to enhance the smoky flavor. This variation is perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or even served over rice.

Serving Suggestions for Crockpot beef

This crockpot beef is a wonderfully versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways, making it perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner or a casual get-together, here are some delicious ideas to elevate your meal:

Tacos or Burritos:
Transform your slow-cooked beef into delicious tacos or burritos. Warm up some corn tortillas or flour tortillas, then pile on the beef and add your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, shredded lettuce, and cheese. For an extra kick, drizzle with some salsa or hot sauce.

Over Mashed Potatoes:
For a comforting, hearty meal, serve the shredded beef over creamy mashed potatoes. The beef and its savory broth soak into the potatoes, creating a perfect combination of flavors and textures. You can even add a drizzle of gravy for an extra layer of richness.

With Rice or Quinoa:
Serve the beef alongside a side of rice or quinoa for a light yet satisfying meal. The beef’s rich juices will soak into the grains, creating a deliciously savory base. A sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro adds a touch of freshness.

FAQs about Crockpot beef

Here are some frequently asked questions to help guide you in making the perfect crockpot beef:

Crockpot beef

This Crockpot Beef recipe is perfect for busy days. With minimal prep time and just a few ingredients, you’ll have tender, juicy beef that’s full of flavor. The slow cooker does all the work, making this recipe a simple, time-saving dish for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 hours hrs

Total Time 7 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• 2-3 lbs beef chuck roast
• 1 medium onion sliced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil for searing, optional

Instructions

 

Sear the Beef (Optional):

• Heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef chuck roast on all sides until it’s nicely browned (about 2-3 minutes per side). This step adds extra depth to the flavor, but you can skip it if you’re short on time.

Prepare the Crockpot:

• Place the seared beef (or un-seared, if you skipped that step) into the bottom of your crockpot. Add the sliced onion and minced garlic on top of the beef.

Add Liquids and Seasonings:

• Pour in 1 cup beef broth, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Sprinkle the dried thyme and rosemary over the beef. Add salt and pepper to taste. These ingredients work together to create a rich, savory base for the beef to cook in.

Cook:

• Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. The longer you cook it on low, the more tender the beef will become, so I recommend the low setting if you have the time.

Shred the Beef:

• Once the beef is done cooking and tender, remove it from the crockpot and use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces. The beef should fall apart easily, and the flavor should be deeply infused into every bite.

Serve and Enjoy:

• Return the shredded beef to the crockpot to mix it with the juices. Stir everything together, and it’s ready to serve! This beef is perfect on its own or as a filling for sandwiches, tacos, or over mashed potatoes.

Keyword Crockpot beef