July Heatwave Hero: Just 5 ingredients. I throw this together in the morning so we can spend the whole day relaxing by the lake.

This 5-ingredient slow cooker beef rump roast is my go-to July heatwave hero: I toss everything into the crock in the morning, and by dinnertime we’ve got a glossy, tender, shredded roast in rich gravy without heating up the whole house. It’s a simple, no-fuss Midwest-style comfort meal that still feels special after a long day at the lake or pool. With just a handful of pantry staples, you get deep, savory flavor and that melt-apart texture everyone loves.

Serve the shredded beef and its mahogany gravy over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or rice to soak up all the juices. In the summer, I like it piled on soft sandwich buns with a slice of cheese and a crunchy dill pickle on the side. Add a simple green salad, sliced garden tomatoes, corn on the cob, or watermelon wedges to keep things light and fresh. Leftovers make great next-day quesadillas, baked potatoes topped with beef and gravy, or quick beef-and-veggie skillet meals.

Servings: 6

3 to 3 1/2 lb beef rump roast, raw and trimmed of excess fat

Place the raw beef rump roast in the bottom of a 5- to 7-quart slow cooker. If there is a thick fat cap, position it facing up so it can baste the meat as it cooks.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce until mostly smooth and combined.

Pour the soup mixture evenly over the roast, making sure the top and sides are well coated. Use a spatula or spoon to spread it if needed so the roast is mostly nestled in the liquid.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the roast is fork-tender and easily pulls apart. For the most tender, shreddable texture and a rich, glossy gravy, the LOW setting is best if you’ll be gone all day.

Once the roast is done, use two forks to shred the meat directly in the slow cooker, pulling it into fibrous strands. Stir the shredded beef into the surrounding gravy so every piece is coated and soaking up the juices.

Taste the gravy and adjust seasoning if needed with a pinch of salt or a splash more Worcestershire sauce. Let the shredded beef sit on WARM for 10 to 15 minutes so it can absorb even more of the mahogany-colored gravy before serving.

For picky eaters, you can use condensed cream of chicken soup instead of mushroom if they don’t like mushrooms—the flavor stays savory and mild. If you prefer a little sweetness, stir 1 to 2 tablespoons of brown sugar into the sauce mixture before pouring it over the roast. For a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce to the liquid. To make it feel more like French dip sandwiches, swap half the broth for French onion soup (canned) and serve the shredded beef on toasted hoagie rolls with provolone. If you want thicker gravy, remove the shredded beef with a slotted spoon at the end, whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water, stir it into the hot liquid in the slow cooker, cover, and cook on HIGH for 10 to 15 minutes until slightly thickened, then return the beef to the sauce. For a lighter option, you can trim more visible fat from the rump roast before cooking and use low-sodium broth and soup mix. Always start with a fully thawed roast for even, safe cooking in the slow cooker. Keep the lid on as much as possible; opening it frequently can drop the temperature and increase cook time. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking, store in a shallow container, and use within 3 to 4 days, reheating until steaming hot before serving. This recipe also freezes well—cool completely, then freeze in a labeled airtight container for up to 3 months.