There is something mighty comforting about a supper you can set up in just a few minutes and let the slow cooker do the hard work. This 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Beef is the kind of plain, practical meal that busy farm families and church-potluck cooks have always appreciated, built from simple pantry staples and a package of raw beef stew meat. By supper time, those humble ingredients turn into tender, savory beef with a rich gravy that tastes like you fussed over it all day.
Serve this beef over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or fluffy white rice so none of that good gravy goes to waste. A side of green beans, glazed carrots, or simple corn makes it feel like a full Midwestern supper, and a basket of warm biscuits or sliced bread is always welcome for mopping up the plate.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Beef
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds raw beef stew meat
Directions
1. Place the raw beef stew meat in the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture over the beef, making sure the meat is well coated.
4. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
5. Stir well before serving, then spoon the beef and gravy over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice.
Variations & Tips
For a thicker gravy: If you like your gravy a little more old-fashioned and hearty, stir 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and mix it into the slow cooker during the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking.
Add vegetables: Baby carrots, sliced mushrooms, or chunks of onion can go right into the slow cooker with the beef if you want to stretch the meal a bit further and make it an all-in-one supper.
Make it over noodles: This dish is especially good spooned over buttered egg noodles, which catch every bit of the savory sauce and make the meal feel extra filling.
Choose the right cut: Beef stew meat works beautifully here because the long, gentle cooking helps break down tougher pieces into tender bites. If your stew meat pieces are very large, cut them into smaller, even chunks for the best texture.
Salt carefully: Onion soup mix and broth can both be salty, so wait until the end to taste before adding any extra salt. A little black pepper at the table is often all it needs.
