How to Cook Tender Roast Beef in a Slow Cooker

Cooking tender roast beef in a slow cooker may seem daunting, but it’s actually quite easy! With just a few simple tips and tricks, you can make melt-in-your-mouth delicious roast beef using a crockpot

Why Cook Roast Beef in a Slow Cooker?

There are several benefits to using a slow cooker for roast beef

Convenience – Just throw everything in the slow cooker in the morning and dinner is ready when you get home No need to monitor the oven or stove
Moist and tender meat – The low slow cooking tenderizes even the toughest cuts of meat.
More flavor – The meat soaks up all the delicious flavors from sauce or seasoning as it slowly cooks.
Easy clean up – Slow cookers don’t heat up your kitchen. And with minimal dishes to wash, clean up is a breeze.

Tips for Cooking Tender Roast Beef

Follow these tips and you’ll have fork-tender roast beef every time you use your slow cooker:

1. Choose the Right Cut of Meat

Go for less tender cuts like chuck roast, rump roast, or bottom round roast. Well-marbled cuts like ribeye are too tender and will fall apart in the slow cooker.

2. Brown the Meat First (Optional)

Browning the meat before slow cooking deepens the flavor and color. Pat the meat dry and brown for 2-3 minutes per side in a skillet with oil.

3. Use Plenty of Aromatics

Onions, garlic, fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme add tons of flavor as the beef cooks. Try making a flavorful paste to coat the meat.

4. Add Some Acid

A bit of acidity from tomato paste, red wine, balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce helps tenderize the meat.

5. Don’t Skimp on Liquid

There should be enough liquid to come about 1/3 to 1/2 way up the sides of the meat. Use broth, wine or water.

6. Cook on Low

Cooking on low for 8-10 hours results in the most tender beef. High can work in 4-6 hours, but may be less tender.

7. Let It Rest

Letting the cooked roast rest for 10-15 minutes allows juices to redistribute so it’s moist when sliced.

Slow Cooker Roast Beef Recipe

This easy recipe puts all the tips together for seriously tender, fall-apart roast beef:

Ingredients:

3-4 lb beef rump roast or chuck roast
2 onions, sliced
8 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup beef broth
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp dried thyme
1 1⁄2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Instructions:

Pat roast dry and brown in skillet with oil if desired.
Place onions and garlic in slow cooker. Add roast.
In bowl, mix tomato paste, vinegar, broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt and pepper. Pour over roast.
Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
Remove roast and let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

More Delicious Slow Cooker Roast Beef Recipes

Once you get the basics down, try these tasty recipe variations:

French Onion Roast Beef – Cook roast with onion soup mix and beef broth. Top with caramelized onions.
Roast Beef with Red Wine and Mushrooms – Braise roast beef in a red wine sauce with mushrooms.
Roast Beef Tacos – Shred cooked roast and serve in tortillas with salsa and avocado.
Italian Roast Beef Sandwiches – Cook roast with Italian seasoning. Use leftovers for sandwiches.
Roast Beef Hash – Dice cooked beef and mix with potatoes, onion and peppers for hash.

Make Weeknight Dinners Easy with Slow Cooker Roast Beef

With minimal hands-on time and maximum flavor, slow cooker roast beef is an easy, delicious, and budget-friendly meal option. Follow these tips for tender, fall-apart beef every time. Experiment with different seasonings and vegetables to put your unique spin on this classic dish.

Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast Recipe – How to Make Flavorful Beef Pot Roast in the Slow Cooker

FAQ

How do I make sure my beef is tender in a slow cooker?

Simply add the meat to your slow cooker with aromatics, stock and sauces and cook either on High for 4-5 hours or on Low for 5-8 hours. How do you make meat tender in a slow cooker? Choosing a cut of beef best suited for low and slow cooking is the ideal way to get extra tender meat.

Why is my roast beef tough in slow cooker?

“Beef may be tough in the slow cooker if you haven’t added enough liquid, or haven’t cooked it for long enough,” Kristen Carli, M.S., R.D., owner of Camelback Nutrition & Wellness, tells SELF. “For cuts of meat, the fattier cuts are often the ones that get juicy and tender.

How do you keep roast beef from drying out in a slow cooker?

To keep a pot roast from drying out, your slow cooker needs liquid to create a moist environment, and that can include meat or vegetable stock, wine or water. This doesn’t mean the meat should be submerged; a cup or two of liquid will be enough, since the cooker is covered and liquids stay trapped inside.

Is it better to cook a roast on high or low in slow cooker?

The meat will be so tender and falling apart, and the vegetables soft. Remember to taste test and add any extra balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, salt or pepper, until reaching your desired flavour. PRO TIP: It’s better to cook pot roast on the low setting rather than the high setting when it comes to pot roast.

How do you cook a pot roast in a slow cooker?

Pour the gravy mix on top and place the lid on the slow cooker. Cooked pot roast. Shred beef with two forks. Cook: Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, until the meat is fork tender. Shred: Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it into chunks with two forks. Stir the gravy and vegetables to combine.

Can you cook roast beef in a crockpot?

The crockpot is best known for its ability to transform tough cuts of meat into something tender and juicy, and this slow cooker roast beef recipe is the perfect example. The slow cooker allows the meat to be cooked at a slow, consistent low temperature, breaking down tough muscle fibers to produce a deliciously tender roast.

How long do you cook beef in a slow cooker?

Cook on low setting for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours (or until the beef is fork tender). If you have the time we recommend the low setting for the most flavorful and tender beef. Pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a medium stock pot, leaving the roast and vegetables in the warm slow cooker.

Can You slow cook beef tenderloin in a crock pot?

If you have a Prime Rib or Beef Tenderloin, you won’t want to slow cook them. Instead, use this this classic Roast Beef recipe. The Rump Roast and Eye of Round mentioned above can also be used for the classic roast beef. Note that if you want slow-cooked beef but you don’t want to use a crock pot, there are delicious alternatives.