How to Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker

A slow cooker is the ace up the sleeve of many a chef when it comes to preparing a delicious beef dinner. When you're too busy to spend a lot of time slaving over the stove but still need a delicious and nutritious meal, it is time for a slow cooker. You can even have the slow cooker making dinner for you while you are at work or running errands. Of course, not everyone knows how to use a slow cooker. But there are two basic methods that are the key to virtually every beef slow cooker recipe.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Cooking a Whole Roast

  1. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 1
    1
    Get your recipe. Cooking a whole roast is ambitious, but the slow cooking process will leave your kitchen smelling wonderful and provide you with a delicious masterpiece.[1] Don't waste time or meat - pick a recipe. For the most part, most roast recipes are very similar, only the spices and seasonings vary.
  2. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 2
    2
    Turn up the heat. Before the meat begins the long process of slow cooking, it is best if you brown it first. The chemical process of meat browning is known as the "Maillard Reaction". If your slow cooker has a high heat function that can sear and brown brown meat, use that. Otherwise use a large pan or pot.
    • Put a few tablespoons of oil in the cooker or pot.
    • When the oil is hot it will look like it is shimmering.
    • Try to avoid splashing water in the oil to see if it is hot. This causes splatter.
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  3. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 3
    3
    Season your meat. If your recipe calls for the meat to be seasoned before it is browned, you will want to do that. Even if seasoning isn't called for, you will also want to make sure that the meat is dry. Patting it with a paper towel will accomplish this. The surface of the meat being dry will help facilitate the Maillard Reaction and will lead to better browning.
    • If you recipe doesn't call for seasoning, you can still use a light dusting of salt and sugar.
    • A dusting of salt and sugar will also help a brown crust to form.
  4. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 4
    4
    Sear the meat. Sear the meat in the hot slow cooker. You'll want to make sure that each side is browned.[2] Browning each side of a large roast should take 15-20 minutes.[3] If you seared the meat in a separate pot or pan, it is time to put the browned meat in the slow cooker.
  5. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 5
    5
    Set the cooking time and temperature. Review your recipe for the cooking time and temperature required. Set your slow cooker to these specifications. If your slow cooker doesn't allow you to set an end time, simply create a phone alarm for yourself so that you know when to turn it off.
  6. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 6
    6
    Add other ingredients. Most roast recipes will call for other ingredients, such as vegetables, soup mixes, and seasonings. Now is the time that you will add most of these ingredients.[4]
    • If the recipe calls for adding some ingredients later, set these to the side and make a notation of the time you will need to add them.
  7. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 7
    7
    Let it cook. Your hard work is pretty much over. Now you just need to wait for the duration of the cook time while the delicious smell of beef flows out of your slow cooker and through your house. If the recipe called for adding additional ingredients midway through the cook time, be sure to do that.
    • Some recipes call for occasional stirring. If so, be sure to do so.[5]
  8. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 8
    8
    Finish up. When the cook time is elapsed, you are almost ready to enjoy. If you were cooking a pot roast, all you need to do now is cut it and serve. If you were cooking a dish such as slow cooker tacos, you will now need to shred the beef with forks or other utensils.[6] It should be soft and tender at this point.[7]
    • If you are formally carving a roast, you will want to let it sit at least 10 minutes before you cut into it.
    • This keeps the meat juicy. You can cover it while you wait.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Cooking Beef in Chunks

  1. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 9
    1
    Get your recipe. While many slow-cooker beef recipes call for a whole roast, others such as beef stews or beef stroganoff call for cube or chunk beef.[8] Review the recipe for the desired size of the beef cubes. Usually they will be 1"x1".
  2. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 10
    2
    Cut the beef into cubes. If your beef isn't pre-cut, you will need to cut it into small pieces. You'll be seasoning these pieces and browning them. If there are more pieces than will fit into the bottom of your slow cooker or pan, divide them into batches.
  3. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 11
    3
    Turn up the heat. Before the meat begins the long process of slow cooking, it is best if you brown it first. The chemical process of meat browning is known as the "Maillard Reaction". If your slow cooker has a high heat function that can sear and brown brown meat, use that. Otherwise use a large pan or pot.
    • Put a few tablespoons of oil in the cooker or pot.
    • When the oil is hot it will look like it is shimmering.
    • Try to avoid splashing water in the oil to see if it is hot. This causes splatter.
  4. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 12
    4
    Season your meat. Most cubed beef recipes call for seasoning. Even if seasoning isn't called for, you will also want to make sure that the meat is dry. Patting it with a paper towel will accomplish this. The surface of the meat being dry will help facilitate the Maillard Reaction and will lead to better browning.
    • If you recipe doesn't call for seasoning, you can still use a light dusting of salt and sugar.
    • A dusting of salt and sugar will also help a brown crust to form.
    • Your recipe may also call for the meat chunks to be dredged through flour or corn starch.
  5. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 13
    5
    Sear the meat. Sear the chunks in the hot slow cooker. You'll want to make sure that all sides are browned for maximum flavor.[9] When all the pieces are browned, turn the cooker off. Since these pieces are smaller, they should brown fairly quickly.
    • If you are browning in batches, place the completed chunks on a plate to the side. #*When they are all done, put them in the slow cooker again.
  6. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 14
    6
    Set the cooking time and temperature. Review your recipe for the cooking time and temperature required. Set your slow cooker to these specifications. If your slow cooker doesn't allow you to set an end time, simply create a phone alarm for yourself so that you know when to turn it off.
  7. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 15
    7
    Add other ingredients. Most roast recipes will call for other ingredients, such as vegetables, soup mixes, and seasonings.[10] Now is the time that you will add most of these ingredients.[11]
    • If the recipe calls for adding some ingredients later, set these to the side and make a notation of the time you will need to add them.
  8. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 16
    8
    Let it cook. Your hard work is pretty much over. Now you just need to wait for the duration of the cook time while the delicious smell of beef flows out of your slow cooker and through your house. If the recipe called for adding additional ingredients midway through the cook time, be sure to do that.
    • Some recipes call for occasional stirring. If so, be sure to do so.[12]
  9. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Step 17
    9
    Finish up. When the cook time is elapsed, you are almost ready to enjoy. If you were cooking a stew, all you need to do now is ladle it into bowls. If you were cooking a dish like a stroganoff, you will now need to serve the slow-cooked beef chunks and sauce over your noodles or rice.[13]
  10. Image titled Cook Beef in a Slow Cooker Final
    10
    Finished.
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    How do you make sure the food you cook in a slow cooker is safe to eat?
    Dorrenda Smith
    Dorrenda Smith
    Personal Chef
    Dorrenda “Renny” Smith is a Personal Chef and the Co-Founder & CEO of The Crain Experience. With almost 15 years of experience in the food industry, she specializes in creating soul food with a healthier spin. Chef Renny and her partner provide event catering, event planning, and restaurant and food truck consultations.
    Dorrenda Smith
    Dorrenda Smith
    Personal Chef
    Expert Answer
    You should always check the temperature using a meat thermometer. If there is a slow-roasted product, it needs to be cooked to at least 165 degrees.
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References

  1. ↑ http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/cooking-tips/article/how-to-braise
  2. ↑ http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--383/braising-beef.asp
  3. ↑ http://allrecipes.com/recipe/22605/kathys-roast-and-vegetables/?internalSource=staff%20pick&referringId=1201&referringContentType=recipe%20hub
  4. ↑ http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--383/braising-beef.asp
  5. ↑ http://allrecipes.com/recipe/22605/kathys-roast-and-vegetables/?internalSource=staff%20pick&referringId=1201&referringContentType=recipe%20hub
  6. ↑ http://allrecipes.com/recipe/44517/shredded-beef-for-tacos/?internalSource=staff%20pick&referringId=1201&referringContentType=recipe%20hub
  7. ↑ http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--383/braising-beef.asp
  8. ↑ http://allrecipes.com/recipe/16352/slow-cooker-beef-stroganoff-i/?internalSource=staff%20pick&referringId=1201&referringContentType=recipe%20hub
  9. ↑ http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--383/braising-beef.asp
  1. ↑ http://allrecipes.com/recipe/22605/kathys-roast-and-vegetables/?internalSource=staff%20pick&referringId=1201&referringContentType=recipe%20hub
  2. ↑ http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--383/braising-beef.asp
  3. ↑ http://allrecipes.com/recipe/22605/kathys-roast-and-vegetables/?internalSource=staff%20pick&referringId=1201&referringContentType=recipe%20hub
  4. ↑ http://allrecipes.com/recipe/16352/slow-cooker-beef-stroganoff-i/?internalSource=staff%20pick&referringId=1201&referringContentType=recipe%20hub
  5. ↑ http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/cooking-tips/article/how-to-braise
  6. ↑ http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/cooking-tips/article/how-to-braise

About This Article

Dorrenda Smith
Co-authored by:
Dorrenda Smith
Personal Chef
This article was co-authored by Dorrenda Smith. Dorrenda “Renny” Smith is a Personal Chef and the Co-Founder & CEO of The Crain Experience. With almost 15 years of experience in the food industry, she specializes in creating soul food with a healthier spin. Chef Renny and her partner provide event catering, event planning, and restaurant and food truck consultations. This article has been viewed 34,485 times.
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Co-authors: 12
Updated: September 17, 2020
Views: 34,485
Categories: Beef and Lamb | Slow Cooker Meat Recipes
Article SummaryX

To cook a whole beef roast in a slow cooker, start by seasoning the meat according to your preferred recipe. Next, brown the roast in a little hot oil, using the high heat setting on your slow cooker. Once the meat is seared on both sides, set the slow cooker to the time and temperature specified in your recipe. If your slow cooker doesn’t have a timer, set one on your phone or use a kitchen timer. While the meat is cooking, you can add extra ingredients, such as broth or chopped vegetables, if you like. For more tips, including how to cook cubed beef in a slow cooker, keep reading!

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