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Beef isn’t cheap, but there are ways to make tough, less expensive cuts taste like a million bucks. One of the easiest ways to do that is by cooking it in your crock pot, where the meat braises low and slow until it’s tender enough to be cut with a spoon. If you’re in a rut of cooking the same old beef dinners, pick up a chuck roast or flank steak and try one of these slow cooker recipes.
This is an easy, classic brisket recipe that includes garlic, onions, carrots, and celery. Some ketchup — but not a lot — gives the sauce a tangy, sweet kick. When the brisket is finished, you thicken the juices into a gravy that’s packed with flavor.
Recipe: Dinner at the Zoo
Short ribs always seem like a fancy restaurant meal, but there’s no reason you can’t cook them at home. This recipe is inspired by beef bourguinon, a French classic made with lots of red wine and a splash of cognac for good measure. Serve it over mashed potatoes.
Recipe: Half Baked Harvest
What’s more comforting than a big bowl of beef stew? It’s full of big chunks of potatoes, carrots, and of course, melt-in-your-mouth beef. This one is flavored with thyme, rosemary, Dijon, worcestershire, and soy sauce for depth.
Recipe: Budget Bytes
Ropa vieja is a popular Cuban dish of shredded beef with bell peppers and onions in a spiced tomato sauce. Flank steak is traditionally used so you get long pieces of beef when it’s pulled. Serve it with white rice and Cuban black beans or plantains.
Recipe: Immaculate Bites
If you’ve had a Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich, you know how good they are. You can make a really good approximation at home in your crockpot with a chuck roast, jarred pepperoncini, Italian seasoning, and hot giardineira. Don’t forget to serve a cup of jus on the side for dipping.
Recipe: Iowa Girl Eats
Beef barley soup is an old-fashioned recipe that deserves to make a comeback. It’s a great way to stretch a little bit of beef, and the barley gives it a wonderful nutty flavor. Imagine the smell when you come home from work and this has been simmering in your slow cooker all day.
Recipe: The Chunky Chef
Birria is a traditional Mexican stewed meat that’s usually put into tacos or other items and then served with the flavorful soup on the side for dipping. It’s trendy right now, so try making it at home with a chuck roast, dried chiles, onions, and oregano.
Recipe: Muy Bueno
Cube steaks are cheap but tough, even when they’ve been tenderized by the butcher. Pop them in your crockpot with au jus mix, cream of mushroom soup, and some other seasonings, and you’ll have a tender piece of meat and lots of creamy gravy that goes great over egg noodles.
Recipe: Slow Cooker Meals
Move over pulled pork, because beef is just as good in a shredded barbecue sandwich. This is a super easy recipe that only requires a few ingredients along with your favorite barbecue sauce. Just dump it all in the slow cooker, set it, and forget it until it’s time to eat.
Recipe: Cooking on a Dime
Mississippi roast is a viral internet recipe that everyone absolutely loves. You just need some jarred pepperoncini, ranch and au jus seasoning, and some butter. It may sound weird, but it cooks up tender, tangy, and rich.
Recipe: Budget Byes
You don’t have to worry about the sirloin steak in your stroganoff getting tough if you use a crockpot to cook it. There’s lots of mushrooms in this recipe, along with mustard, dill, and worcestershire for that unmistakable stroganoff flavor.
Recipe: Well Plated
You’ll never look at chili the same way again if you ditch the ground beef for shredded chuck — it’s so much more hearty and filling. There’s plenty of spices in this recipe, along with beans, though you can leave those out if you must.
Recipe: Lemons and Zest
This is an easy version of pot roast that only requires a few ingredients. Onion soup mix give it plenty of seasoning, and canned cream of mushroom soup make the gravy a little bit creamy, which is a welcome addition to the typical pot roast. Add whatever vegetables you like, including baby potatoes, carrots, or pearl onions.
Recipe: Tastes Better From Scratch
You can make corned beef and cabbage any time of year, not just in March. Considering you buy it all seasoned and with a spice packet, it’s one of the easiest things to throw in your slow cooker. Just add cabbage, potatoes, and beer.
Recipe: AllRecipes
Korean beef bulgogi typically uses thinly sliced meat, but this recipe includes flank steak or brisket for a crockpot version instead. Korean pear (or apple if you can’t find one) is a traditional sweetener for this dish to offset the savory soy sauce.
Recipe: Korean Bapsang
Beef tips always seem like a dish you only get at restaurants, but you should try making it at home for an inexpensive meal. Sirloin steak, red wine, and mushrooms braise together and form a delicious sauce that's thickened with a little bit of cornstarch.
Recipe: Taste of Home
