20 Slow Cooker Beef Recipes for Easy Comfort Food Any Night of the Week

Beef and Carrot Ragu
Photo: Andy Lyons

Have a beef roast or some ground beef in the fridge that needs to be used? Make a delicious slow cooker beef recipe for dinner tonight! We've got irresistible recipes for slow cooker beef stew, slow cooker beef and broccoli, and even slow cooker beef tacos. So whether you're in the mood for a hearty meat and potatoes dinner or a homemade twist on your favorite takeout dish, there's slow cooker meat dish here for you.

01 of 20

Burgundy Beef Stew

Burgundy Beef Stew
Blaine Moats

This slow cooker beef stew features the flavors of a traditional beef bourguignon, but with less hands-on time. Tender beef and veggies are simmered in a red wine-beef broth mixture and served over egg noodles. We added a sprinkling of crisp-cooked bacon as the topping for a bit of a salty (and irresistible!) crunch.

02 of 20

Beef and Broccoli

Asian Broccoli and Beef
Jason Donnelly

If you're prone to ordering takeout on busy weeknights, this slow cooker beef and broccoli is about to be your new go-to dinner. Boneless beef chuck roast is seasoned with Asian-style flavors (soy sauce, garlic, and ginger). There's a hint of orange and cayenne for a zesty-hot finish. Serve on hot cooked rice or noodles and you've got one delicious meal.

03 of 20

BBQ Beef Roast with Corn and Pepper Couscous

BBQ Beef Roast Corn Pepper Couscous
Andy Lyons

Turn a chuck roast into a hearty slow cooker BBQ beef recipe. Chili powder and cumin, add warm spice to the tender beef while Worcestershire sauce adds savory, yet tangy notes to the finished dish. The spicy corn and pepper couscous is the perfect base for soaking up the delicious barbecue flavors.

04 of 20

Beef and Carrot Ragu

Beef and Carrot Ragu
Andy Lyons

Looking for a delicious, yet easy supper? Try this mouthwatering pasta sauce. Beef, carrots, and tomatoes simmer all day to create the most delicious homemade ragu you've ever tasted. Use red wine in the recipe to give your sauce more depth in flavor. While your slow cooker beef simmers away, try your hand at homemade pasta to serve with it.

05 of 20

Slow-Cooked Beef Pozole

Slow-Cooked Beef Pozole
Karla Conrad

Pozole is a thick soup stew made popular in Mexican cuisine featuring hominy and meat. Our interpretation stars flank steak for a slow cooker beef stew that will have you coming back for another bowl asap. The toppings are also key here, so pile on cilantro, queso fresco, and extra chile peppers to make all the flavors pop.

06 of 20

Slow Cooker Meatball Sandwiches

Slow-Cooker Meatball Sandwiches
Blaine Moats

Yes, you can make delicious sandwiches with the help of your slow cooker. Warm-up after a cool day with homemade meatballs seasoned with herbs and spices before getting simmered in a spicy tomato sauce. Make your slow cooker meat dish top-notch by adding a sprinkling of mozzarella cheese and serving on hoagie buns.

07 of 20

Moroccan-Style Beef Short Ribs

Moroccan-Style Beef Short Ribs
Blaine Moats

One of the easiest ways to braise meat is by searing it in a skillet for color before a long simmer in your slow cooker. For these slow cooker short ribs, we've given them Moroccan-inspired flavor thanks to a spice blend of ginger, cinnamon, pepper, and thyme. The beef gets super tender in the slow cooker with broth, tomatoes, and fresh veggies. Serve atop couscous for a complete comforting meal.

08 of 20

Country Italian Beef

Country Italian Beef
Peter Krumhardt

For a twist on classic beef stew, look no further than this slow cooker Italian beef recipe. Fennel, parsnips, and fresh rosemary all come to the party here. Cut your boneless beef chuck roast into similar size 2-inch pieces to ensure even cooking.

Buy It: Wüsthof Classic 6-Inch Chef's Knife ($135, Crate & Barrel)

09 of 20

Gluten Free Pho-Flavor Flank Steak Lettuce Wraps

Gluten Free Pho-Flavor Flank Steak Lettuce Wraps
Blaine Moats

Turn the flavors of your favorite Vietnamese soup into a wrap with this delicious slow cooker beef recipe. The beef takes on the tangy, yet spicy flavor of pho with the addition of fish sauce, rice vinegar, and Chinese five-spice powder. Serve on lettuce wraps for a healthy lunch or appetizer that only has 4 grams of carbs per serving.

10 of 20

Espresso-Braised Beef

Espresso-Braised Beef
Blaine Moats

That's right, espresso isn't just for lattes anymore. This slow-simmered meat-and-potatoes supper uses instant espresso powder, wine, brown sugar, and tomato paste to pack your boneless chuck roast with flavor. Seriously, your mouth will water just seeing (and smelling) this divine slow cooker beef stew.

11 of 20

Slow-Cooked Minestrone

Slow-Cooked Minestrone
Andy Lyons

Here's a slow cooker beef and noodles recipe too good to pass up. The beef in this take on the classic tomato-based soup is accompanied by beans, carrots, and yellow squash. Top your bowl with grated Parmesan cheese before diving in to give it a salty, nutty bite.

12 of 20

German-Style Beef Roast

German-Style Beef Roast
Scott Little

Red wine, chopped dill pickles (yes, pickles!), and tangy mustard set this succulent slow cooker beef pot roast apart from the rest. The veggies and cooking liquid turn into the most flavorful gravy. Serve it all on spaetzle (a type of egg noodle) to keep the traditional German theme going.

13 of 20

Polenta with Ground Beef Ragout

Polenta with Ground Beef Ragout
Blaine Moats

A nice long simmer allows the flavors from beef, carrots, and red wine to meld together for the ultimate pasta sauce. Instead of noodles, we're going for a base of creamy polenta, a type of cornmeal porridge that is excellent for sopping up the delicious homemade sauce.

14 of 20

Slow Cooker Taco Meat Loaf

Slow Cooker Taco Meat Loaf
Andy Lyons

Meat loaf can be accomplished in the slow cooker, too. Instead of bread crumbs, we use crushed tortilla chips to help bind the ground beef mixture together. For some taco flair, the meat is seasoned with cumin, garlic, and paprika.

Test Kitchen Tip: Line your slow cooker with strips of foil for easy removal of your meat loaf.

15 of 20

Peppery Italian Beef Sandwiches

Peppery Italian Beef Sandwiches
Andy Lyons

Here's another slow cooker Italian beef recipe to pin for later. Dry Italian seasoning mix is the secret shortcut ingredient to adding a lot of flavor to these juicy slow cooker sandwiches. Simply shred the meat and top your bread with the peppery beef. Don't forget the cheese!

16 of 20

Beef and Red Bean Chili

Beef and Red Bean Chili
Jason Donnelly

This slow cooker beef chili utilizes a chuck roast rather than the traditional ground beef. You'll love the smoky, slightly spicy flavor here thanks to the addition of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Top your bowl with cilantro and red pepper for extra color and flavor.

17 of 20

Orange-Spiced Corned Beef with Dried Fruit

Orange-Spiced Corned Beef with Dried Fruit
Blaine Moats

You don't have to wait for St. Patrick's Day to make this slow cooker corned beef recipe. Mixed dried fruit, cranberries, orange juice, molasses, cinnamon, and nutmeg give traditional corned beef a run for its money here. With only 15 minutes of prep time, it's a showy slow cooker meat dish worthy of making the regular dinner menu rotation.

18 of 20

Cranberry-Chipotle Beef

Cranberry-Chipotle Beef
Scott Little

Looking for a slow-cooked beef roast that serves just two? Try this fiery, slightly sweet chipotle-seasoned chuck roast. It's also a great way to use that canned cranberry sauce sitting in your pantry. Serve with an easy side of rice or grains and you'll have a romantic dinner for two ready to go.

19 of 20

Easy Kale, Beef and White Bean Stew

Kale, Beef, and White Bean Stew
Jason Donnelly

Turn boneless top sirloin into this delicious slow cooker beef stew when the weather turns chilly. The addition of leafy kale provides an extra boost of vitamins C and K. Use low- or no-sodium canned beans to keep the salt levels low and adjust to your taste preference.

20 of 20

Oaxaca's Beef Barbacoa

Oaxaca's Beef Barbacoa
Jason Donnelly

Barbacoa is a staple Mexican dish and an excellent slow cooker beef recipe. A beef brisket gets nice and tender with a seasoning blend of oregano, ancho chile pepper, cumin, and garlic. For the heat, we've got some minced jalapeños thrown in the mix as well. Short on time? Use the pressure cooker directions instead.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles