Put your slow cooker to work! Our best slow-cooker beef recipes boast major flavor—think sizzling fajitas, cozy stews, rich brisket, tangy barbecue and beyond.
38 of Our Favorite Slow-Cooker Beef Recipes
Updated on Sep. 17, 2024
Beef—especially the marbled “tough” cut type—is a perfect food for the slow cooker. Simmered low and slow all day long, the meat becomes meltingly tender and flavors every single ingredient in the pot. You can’t overcook most cuts of beef in the slow cooker, so long days at work and school are no problem. Even ground beef slow-cooks very well! Here are some of our favorite slow-cooker beef recipes.
Roast Beef and Gravy
One of our easiest slow-cooker recipes ever, this roast beef and gravy is richly flavored, tender and succulent. Since there’s no browning or chopping required, it’s easy to set up on a busy morning. Serve with biscuits or mashed potatoes to soak up the gravy.
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Slow-Cooker Tater Tot Casserole
Total Time
6 hours 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
What's not to love about classic Tater Tot casserole—especially when it's made in the slow cooker? You'll want to add this family-pleasing potluck favorite to your regular rotation. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Cooking for kids? You can’t miss with this slow-cooker variation on a classic tator tot casserole. It even includes a green vegetable!
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Slow-Cooker Cubed Steak
Total Time
3 hours 40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Easy and inexpensive, this recipe is perfect for those busy nights when you want something delicious yet simple. Tender steak is covered in a thick gravy sauce that uses cream of mushroom soup, beef broth and onion soup mix to give it that comforting taste. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
Easy and inexpensive, this recipe is perfect for those busy nights when you want something delicious yet simple. The secret is to use two different kinds of soup—a canned mushroom soup and a dried onion soup mix—to infuse flavor into the meat.
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Slow-Cooked Beef Burritos with Green Chiles
Total Time
7 hours 20 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe years ago, and it has become such a favorite that the wonderful aroma of it cooking makes my family instantly happy. It is hearty, flavorful and easy to prepare, and it uses the long, slow-cooking method that truly defines comfort food. —Sally Pahler, Palisade, Colorado
Need a great way to feed a group (or a fussy family)? Make a big batch of seasoned beef, gently shred with forks and let everyone make their own burrito or taco. Serve with your favorite taco bar toppings.
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Slow-Cooker Jerked Short Ribs
Total Time
6 hours 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Sweet and spicy jerk seasonings give these saucy ribs an unforgettable taste! They're great in the summer because they don't heat up the kitchen. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
These tangy, spiced short ribs are a tempting alternative to plain barbecue ribs. In the summertime, serve with corn on the cob. During winter, opt for hot mashed potatoes.
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Sauerbraten Soup
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
11 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Sauerbraten and soup are both family favorites. This combines the two, without the long marinating time the traditional beef dish requires. You can substitute spaetzle or gnocchi for the egg noodles. —Jennifer Yerkes, Franklin Square, New York
In a rut with the same old beef recipes? Try the traditional spiced German dish sauerbraten, which makes a deletable sweet-and-sour beef seasoned with ginger, cloves, pickling spices and an unusual thickening agent: crumbled gingerbread cookies. Different but delicious!
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Slow-Cooker Chipotle Beef Carnitas
Total Time
8 hours 40 min
Servings
16 servings plus 1/4 cup leftover spice mixture
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this beef carnitas recipe while trying to figure out what I could do with a pot roast that had been in the freezer. Now I keep the rub in a plastic bag, ready and waiting in my cupboard, and I can get the roast in the slow cooker in less than 15 minutes. —Ann Piscitelli, Nokomis, Florida
The secret to great carnitas? A balanced spice mix. This recipe makes a bigger batch of the spice blend than you’ll need for this slow-cooker beef dish. Keep the rest in the pantry and the next time you make carnitas, they’ll be seasoned in a jiffy.
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Slow-Cooker Spaghetti & Meatballs
Total Time
5 hours 50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I’ve been cooking for 50 years, and this dish is still one that guests request frequently. It is my No. 1 standby recipe and also makes amazing meatball sandwiches. The sauce works for any type of pasta. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
Making meatballs in the slow cooker ensures they’ll be perfectly cooked through and completely tender, with no hovering over a splattering stovetop. This is one of our most highly rated pasta recipes for its well-seasoned tomato sauce, too. Serve with your favorite pasta shape or on meatball sandwiches.
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Beef Barbecue
Total Time
6 hours 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We like to keep our freezer stocked with plenty of beef roasts. When we're not in the mood for pot roast, I fix these satisfying sandwiches instead. The meat cooks in a tasty sauce while I'm work. The meat cooks in a tasty sauce while I'm at work. Then I just shred the beef and serve it on rolls.
—Karen Walker
Sterling, Virginia
This saucy shredded pot roast has a secret ingredient: apricot preserves. The jam adds sweetness and thickens the rich sauce as the beef cooks low and slow. Serve on rolls with a salad or a vegetable side.
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Fabulous Fajitas
Total Time
3 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've enjoyed cooking since I was a girl growing up in the Southwest. When friends call to ask me for new recipes to try, I suggest these flavorful fajitas. It's wonderful to put the beef in the slow cooker before church and come home to a hot delicious main dish. —Janie Reitz, Rochester, Minnesota
Imagine fajitas, and you might think of the dangerously hot, sizzling skillet emerging from a restaurant kitchen. It’s exciting—and delicious—but you can get all the flavor of fajitas in the slow cooker, no smoking stovetop required. Set up the meat and vegetables in the morning, and before dinner all you need to do is heat up your favorite flour or corn tortillas.
11/38
Barbecued Beef Ribs
Total Time
5 hours 45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These tender, slow-cooked beef ribs with a tangy sauce are a cinch to make. They’re great for picnics and parties. —Erin Glass, White Hall, Maryland
Perfect for a balmy summer picnic or a chilly winter weekend potluck, these barbecued ribs are slathered with a tangy homemade sauce. Tweak the spice mixture to add heat, sweetness or umami.
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Slow-Cooked Beef Enchiladas
Total Time
7 hours 30 min
Servings
6 enchiladas
From the Recipe Creator:
Enchiladas get a beefy boost of goodness from slow-cooked roast. When the meat is done, assemble with tortillas and bake. Top with lettuce and tomatoes if desired. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
These enchiladas aren’t the speediest slow-cooker recipe, but they’re worth the time. First, simmer seasoned beef in a slow cooker. When it’s tender, shred with forks. Fill the tortillas, top with sauce and bake into yummy, gooey enchiladas.
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Slow-Cooked Beef Tips
Total Time
6 hours 40 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These slow-cooked beef tips remind me of a childhood favorite. I cook them with mushrooms and serve over brown rice, noodles or mashed potatoes. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
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French Dip
Total Time
5 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a sandwich with more pizazz than the traditional French dip, give this recipe a try. The seasonings give the broth a wonderful flavor, and the meat cooks up tender and juicy. This slow-cooked version will soon be a favorite at your house too. —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
An all-time favorite hot sandwich, French dip is a cozy dinner or lunch on chilly days. Cooking the beef in the slow cooker makes it simple and imparts plenty of flavor. Serve on a crusty roll with plenty of au jus for dipping.
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Slow-Cooked Flank Steak
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My slow cooker gets lots of use, especially during the hectic summer months. I can fix this flank steak in the morning and forget about it until dinner. Serve with noodles and a tossed salad. —Michelle Armistead, Keyport, New Jersey
Don’t have a grill? Cook flank steak in the slow cooker. It’s a delicious, easy dinner that pairs well with just about anything. In the summer, keep it simple with a one-step side dish.
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Slow-Cooked Caribbean Pot Roast
Total Time
6 hours 30 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This dish is definitely a year-round recipe. Sweet potatoes, orange zest and baking cocoa are my surprise ingredients. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
The winning element of this beef slow-cooker recipe is definitely the sauce. It’s incredibly complex—slightly spicy, slightly sweet and a little bit citrusy. Everyone will be guessing at the secret ingredient.
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Cabbage Rolls
Total Time
1 hour 55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It was an abundance of dill in my garden that led me to try this. My family liked the taste so much that, from then on, I made my old-fashioned cabbage rolls recipe with dill. This is how to make easy cabbage rolls. – Florence Krantz, Bismarck, North Dakota
18/38
Sirloin Roast with Gravy
Total Time
3 hours 50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is perfect for my husband, who is a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy. The peppery, fork-tender roast combined with the rich gravy creates a tasty centerpiece for any meal. —Rita Clark, Monument, Colorado
This delicious sirloin roast is special enough to be the centerpiece of a holiday meal. Cooking it in the slow cooker frees up your oven space for side dishes and desserts.
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Tomato-Basil Steak
Total Time
6 hours 15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We grow the basil and bell peppers I use in this dish. It's easy to prepare, yet so rich and delicious. —Sheryl Little, Sherwood, Arkansas
Made with fresh mushrooms, sweet peppers and tomatoes, this recipe tastes like summer, though you can make it year-round. Serve over rice or riced cauliflower.
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Hamburger Stew
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this hamburger stew recipe from a woman at our church, Lois Henry, when I needed a way to use up our bounty of home-canned tomatoes. My husband loves it, and I like that it's easy to warm up for a carefree dinner in the winter months. —Marcia Clay, Truman, Minnesota
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Beef ‘n’ Bean Torta
Total Time
4 hours 30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This zesty dish is a favorite of mine because it has a wonderful Southwestern taste and is easy to prepare. I serve it on nights when we have only a few minutes to eat before running off to meetings or sports events. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Nobody will guess that this stacked torta came from your slow cooker! The recipe does call for lining the slow cooker in foil and layering meat and tortillas, so make sure to factor in a bit of extra prep time. Once cooked, it’s a perfect dinner for a busy weeknight.
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Thai Coconut Beef
Total Time
8 hours 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I love Thai food, but going out on weeknights can be challenging with busy schedules. I wanted to create a Thai-inspired dinner that could double as an easy lunch the following day. The beef is fantastic in this dish, but chicken or pork would be equally delicious! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
This Thai-inspired beef recipe tastes just as good as takeout. The sweet, spicy, rich sauce is packed with flavorful ingredients, but you won’t need to visit a specialty grocery store to make it.
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Spice-Braised Pot Roast
Total Time
7 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Just pour these ingredients over your pot roast and let the slow cooker do the work. Herbs and spices give the beef an excellent taste. I often serve this roast over noodles or with mashed potatoes, using the juices as a gravy. —Loren Martin, Big Cabin, Oklahoma
A true dump dinner, this slow-cooker recipe doesn’t require any separate pan to brown or sear before cooking: Just pop everything right into the slow cooker. To ensure that there’s still plenty of flavor, the meat is cooked in a deliciously complex sauce. The ingredient list is long, but the good news is that you can stir the sauce together the night before and pour it into the slow cooker in the morning.
24/38
Hungarian Goulash
Total Time
7 hours 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Talk about your heirloom recipes! My grandmother made this Hungarian goulash recipe for my mother when she was a child, and then Mom made it for us to enjoy. Paprika and caraway add wonderful flavor, and sour cream gives it a creamy richness. It’s simply scrumptious! —Marcia Doyle, Pompano, Florida
Classic Hungarian goulash is vibrantly spiced with paprika and caraway seeds. Dredging the beef in spiced flour makes it easier to brown and thickens the sauce. Serve this slow-cooker beef recipe with egg noodles for a traditional presentation.
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Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
Total Time
8 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This corned beef and cabbage slow-cooker recipe is a fuss-free way to cook the traditional dish. I tried it for St. Patrick's Day a few years ago. Now it's a regular in my menu planning. —Karen Waters, Laurel, Maryland
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (or any ole’ day) properly with homemade corned beef. The richly flavored meat cooks in the slow cooker in one day. Serve with your favorite St. Patrick’s Day foods, like boiled potatoes and roasted cabbage.
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Slow-Cooker Short Ribs
Total Time
6 hours 45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These slow-cooker short ribs are an easy alternative to traditionally braised short ribs—you don't need to pay any attention to them once you get them in the slow cooker. (That makes it my favorite beef short ribs recipe!) —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas
These top-rated short ribs become meltingly tender after a long slow-cooker session. Because the sauce is thickened with cornstarch, it’s also a gluten-free slow-cooker recipe.
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Farm-Style BBQ Ribs
Total Time
6 hours 20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Inspiration struck when I saw a recipe similar to this one in a newspaper. My version was an instant hit with my husband and our friends. It got even better when I discovered how easy it is to make in the slow cooker. —Bette Jo Welton, Eugene, OR
Before adding the sauce to the slow cooker, give it a quick boil on the stovetop, which will thicken it up. Feel free to adjust the spices in the sauce to your liking, adding or reducing sweetness or heat.
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Zesty Orange Beef
Total Time
5 hours 15 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I put this recipe together in the morning before I leave for work. In the evening, the amazing aroma greets me when I open the door. All I have to do is quickly cook some rice, and dinner is served. —Deborah Puette, Lilburn, Georgia
Capture the flavors of your favorite Chinese restaurant in your slow cooker. The beef cooks all day long. Before it’s time to eat, make a quick batch of rice to serve with it.
If you loved this recipe, you need to try our Test Kitchen’s favorite slow-cooker Korean beef rice next.
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Texas Stew
Total Time
6 hours 15 min
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I love to experiment with many different types of recipes. But as a mother of young children, I rely on family-friendly ones more and more. Everyone enjoys this stew. —Kim Balstad, Lewisville, Texas
A southwestern twist on classic beef stew, this Texas stew features spiced pinto beans, corn and hominy. If you don’t like the latter, swap in a can of green beans.
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Meat Loaf with Chili Sauce
Total Time
3 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I used to serve this meat loaf in my cafe, where so many of my customers asked for it. I adapted the recipe for my slow cooker at home, where it's quite popular, too. —Robert Cox, Las Cruces, New Mexico
A slightly spiced tomato sauce caps this rich, tender meat loaf. Like many ground beef slow-cooker recipes, it cooks up quickly, in three to four hours.
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Slow Cooker Boeuf Bourguignon
Total Time
8 hours 30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I’d wanted to make boeuf bourguignon (beef Burgundy) ever since I got one of Julia Child’s cookbooks, but I wanted to find a way to fix it in a slow cooker. My slow-cooker boeuf bourguignon is still rich, hearty and delicious, but there's no need to watch it on the stovetop or in the oven. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Beef burgundy is a classic French recipe that’s both fancy and comforting at once. This recipe translates the traditional process to a simple slow-cooker method.
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Creamy Celery Beef Stroganoff
Total Time
8 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cream of celery soup adds richness to a recipe that has become a family favorite. It’s so simple to prepare and, oh, that flavor! —Kim Wallace, Dennison, Ohio
This easy-to-make beef dinner recipe delivers a surprisingly rich and complex flavor after a day of slow cooking. Stirring in sour cream at the very end ensures a thick, silky-smooth sauce.
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Slow-Cooker Pizza
Total Time
2 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Always a hit at our church dinners, this hearty casserole keeps folks coming back for more. —Julie Sterchi from Jackson, Missouri
Combining the flavors of pizza with the comfort of a casserole, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any occasion. A potluck? Check. Dinner with fussy kids? Check. You can substitute some or all of the pepperoni with sausage and add chopped peppers or other favorite toppings.
34/38
Beef Osso Buco
Total Time
7 hours 30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Treat holiday guests to elegant comfort food at its best. Our osso buco beef boasts a thick, savory sauce complemented by the addition of gremolata, a chopped herb condiment made with lemon zest, garlic, and parsley. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
A traditional Italian holiday recipe, osso buco is incredibly rich. This recipe adds a sprinkle of parsley-citrus gremolata to brighten up the flavors. Serve with polenta for a traditional (and gluten-free) presentation, or with creamy mashed potatoes.
35/38
Easy Ropa Vieja Stew
Total Time
6 hours 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Use your slow cooker for this meaty Cuban classic, which offers bold flavors without a lot of hands-on time. —Denise Nyland, Panama City, Florida
Ropa vieja (or “old clothes”) is named for the way a tough cut of beef breaks down into tender, shreddable slices after cooking a long time in a spicy sauce. The traditional Cuban dish might not have the most appetizing name, but this beef slow-cooker recipe is absolutely delicious.
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Sweet-and-Sour Beef Stew
Total Time
8 hours 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This chunky meal in a bowl makes terrific use of nutrient-packed vegetables. It has a deliciously sweet and tangy taste. —Frances Conklin, Cottonwood, Idaho
Want a twist on classic beef stew? Try this recipe. Surprising ingredients such as canned pineapple add sweetness to the beef (much as the more traditional carrots do), as well as a bright acidity that makes the stew feel zippy rather than heavy.
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Slow-Cooker Salsa Roast
Total Time
6 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings (2 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
This is so easy and fast to put together on your way out the door in the morning—and so good when you come home! Try it with rice or on soft tacos, or pile it on hamburger buns. —LaVonne Peden, Olympia, Washington
This spiced beef roast makes a versatile starting point for a variety of dinners. Serve on soft tortillas for taco night, or make spiced sandwiches. You can also spoon over mashed potatoes or riced cauliflower for more of a formal feel.
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Slow-Cooked Chunky Chili
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Pork sausage, ground beef and plenty of beans make this chili a marvelous meal. I keep serving-size containers of it in my freezer at all times so I can quickly warm up bowls on busy days. —Margie Shaw, Greenbrier, Arkansas
No beef recipe round-up would be complete without a chili recipe! This one is quick to put together, and the long cook time makes for a well-balanced broth. Freeze leftovers in individual portions for speedy dinners or lunches.
