Tender Slow Cooker Beef (Printable version)
A slow-cooked beef dish with aromatic herbs, garlic, and veggies delivering rich, tender flavors.
# Ingredient List:
→ Beef
01 - 1 (3.5 to 4 lb) beef chuck roast
→ Vegetables
02 - 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
03 - 3 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
04 - 2 stalks celery, sliced
05 - 1 large onion, chopped
→ Aromatics and Herbs
06 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or 1 tsp dried rosemary
08 - 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
09 - 2 bay leaves
→ Liquids
10 - 2 cups beef broth
11 - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
→ Seasonings
12 - 1 ½ tsp salt
13 - 1 tsp black pepper
14 - 2 tbsp olive oil
# How to Make It:
01 - Pat the beef roast dry with paper towels and season thoroughly with salt and black pepper on all sides.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the roast on all sides until deep brown, approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side.
03 - Place carrots, potatoes, celery, and onion evenly in the base of the slow cooker.
04 - Set the seared beef roast atop the vegetables, then add minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves.
05 - Pour beef broth and Worcestershire sauce over the roast and vegetables. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours until the beef is tender and easily shredded.
06 - Remove bay leaves and herb stems, then slice or shred the beef. Serve hot with vegetables and cooking juices.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The beef becomes so tender it falls apart at the gentlest touch, and you barely have to lift a finger once it's in the cooker.
- Everything cooks together, so the vegetables absorb all those deep, savory flavors from the roast and herbs.
- The whole house fills with this incredible aroma that makes everyone feel like dinner is something special.
02 -
- Don't skip the searing step—it only takes 15 minutes but creates a depth of flavor that separates homemade from forgettable.
- If your slow cooker runs hot, start checking at the 7-hour mark; some models cook 30 minutes faster than others, and you want tender beef, not shredded meat.
03 -
- Choose a beef chuck roast with visible marbling rather than a lean cut; those white lines of fat are what make the meat tender and flavorful after slow cooking.
- If your Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies and you have a fish allergy, substitute soy sauce or tamari for similar depth and umami.