How to Cook Salmon Cut Beef in a Slow Cooker for Tender and Flavorful Meals

Slow cookers are a busy cook’s best friend. They allow you to prep ingredients in the morning and come home to a hearty, home-cooked meal after a long day. While slow cookers work well for tougher meats like chuck roast and pork shoulder, you can also use them to turn quick-cooking cuts like salmon cut beef into tender, melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness.

What is Salmon Cut Beef?

Salmon cut beef, also known as silverside beef or sirloin tip roast, comes from the rear leg of the cow. It gets its name from the distinctive salmon-like shape. This lean, flavorful cut has very little marbling, which makes it perfect for the health-conscious cook.

Unlike other roasts which tend to dry out, salmon cut beef stays succulent and moist during slow cooking It shreds easily for sandwiches or tacos, and slices beautifully when you want to serve it whole Let’s look at how to cook this underutilized cut to perfection in the slow cooker.

Benefits of Slow Cooking Salmon Cut Beef

There are several advantages to choosing the slow cooker method for salmon cut beef:

• Tenderizes – The low, steady heat gently breaks down collagen and connective tissue. The longer salmon cut beef cooks, the more tender it becomes.

• Intensifies flavor – As the meat cooks, juices containing beefy flavor redeposit into the meat. The end result is very concentrated, beefy taste.

• Adds moisture – Slow cooking retains moisture so this typically lean cut stays deliciously juicy.

• Hands-off cooking – Once you add ingredients to the slow cooker the work is done. Come home to a complete meal without hours of monitoring.

• Makes delicious gravy – Meat juices, aromatics, and stock combine into an incredible gravy perfect for serving with the beef.

How to Choose the Right Cut

While most roasts will work, here are some good options:

• Topside roast – Also called top round roast, this evenly shaped cut is ideal if you want to slice the finished beef. Cook for 6-8 hours on low.

• Tri-tip roast – Triangular in shape, tri-tip is a flavorful West Coast cut that shreds well after 8+ hours of slow cooking.

• Brisket – Brisket requires a long cooking time to become tender. Cook at least 8-10 hours on low until fork tender.

• Chuck roast – A well-marbled shoulder cut that shreds into perfect beef for tacos or sandwiches. Cook 8+ hours.

Slow Cooker Salmon Cut Beef Recipe

This straightforward recipe results in incredibly tender beef in delicious gravy every time.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs salmon cut beef roast
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth or stock
• 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten free)
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1-2 tbsp cornstarch (to thicken gravy)

Instructions:

1. Pat roast dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Brown roast on all sides.
3. Transfer roast to slow cooker and add onion and garlic.
4. Whisk together broth, vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire, bay leaf, thyme, 1 tsp salt and 1⁄2 tsp pepper. Pour over roast.
5. Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 5-6 hours until very tender.
6. Remove roast and shred or slice against the grain.
7. Mix cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water. Whisk into cooking liquid. Cook 15 minutes until gravy thickens.
8. Add shredded or sliced beef back into gravy to serve.

This simple recipe makes the lean salmon cut beef melt-in-your-mouth tender. The tasty gravy takes it over the top!

Cooking Tips for Best Results

• Sear the beef first – Browning adds tons of flavor through the Maillard reaction. Skip if you don’t have time.

• Use aromatics – Onion, garlic, bay leaf and thyme add dimension. Use more or fewer to your taste.

• Go low and slow – Cook at least 8 hours, up to 10 for best texture. Cook on low, not high.

• Let it rest – Allow to rest 15 minutes before slicing or shredding for juicier meat.

• Skim fat – For healthier gravy, skim off visible fat after cooking.

• Thicken gravy – Whisk in cornstarch slurry for rich, glossy gravy.

• Keep it moist – Add extra broth or water if drier than desired.

Serving Suggestions

Slow cooker salmon cut beef is extremely versatile. Serve it:

• On sandwiches with au jus for dipping

• In tortillas with sautéed peppers and onions

• Over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta

• With roasted or mashed root vegetables

• On top of salad greens for a protein-packed meal

• Stir shredded beef into tomato sauce and serve over pasta

• As the filling in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, etc.

• On cheesy French onion soup

• In beef stew or pot pie

More Delicious Slow Cooker Beef Recipes

If you love slow cooking beef, try these other amazing recipes:

• Slow cooker prime rib – For special occasions

• Beef bourguignon – A French classic

• Beef ragu – For pasta night

• Barbacoa – Mexican shredded beef

• Stroganoff – Comforting and creamy

• Beef stew – The ultimate one-pot meal

With a little prep in the morning, your slow cooker can turn affordable salmon cut beef into a mouthwatering family meal. Experiment with different cuts, cooking times and ingredient combinations until you find a recipe your whole family loves.