This slow cooker Amish cinnamon beef is the kind of cozy dinner that feels a little surprising in the best way. A light dusting of cinnamon gives the beef a warm, old-fashioned flavor that pairs beautifully with savory onion and tomato, and the slow cooker does almost all the work. It is an easy recipe for busy weekdays when you want a hearty roast dinner without hovering over the stove, and it has that simple, homespun feel that makes it especially memorable.
Serve this tender beef over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or fluffy rice to catch all of the rich sauce. It also goes well with roasted carrots, green beans, a crisp side salad, or warm dinner rolls. For a true comfort-food plate, spoon the shredded beef and sauce alongside creamy potatoes with a simple vegetable on the side.
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Amish Cinnamon Beef
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 beef arm roast, about 3 to 4 pounds
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 envelope onion soup mix, about 1 ounce
1 can diced tomatoes, 14.5 ounces
1 medium onion, sliced
Directions
1. Place the beef arm roast in the slow cooker. Dust the top evenly with the ground cinnamon, then sprinkle over the onion soup mix. Add the sliced onion and pour the diced tomatoes over everything.
2. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours or on high for 5 to 6 hours, until the beef is very tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
3. Transfer the beef to a cutting board or large plate and slice or shred it into large pieces. Skim excess fat from the sauce if needed, then return the beef to the slow cooker and spoon the sauce over the top.
4. Serve hot with mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice, and spoon plenty of the sauce and onions over each serving.
Variations & Tips
Add a little sweetness: If you enjoy a slightly sweeter savory profile, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of brown sugar during the last hour of cooking. It softens the acidity of the tomatoes and works nicely with the cinnamon.
Make the sauce thicker: For a thicker gravy-like sauce, remove the lid during the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking on high, or stir in a cornstarch slurry made with 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon cold water.
Use the right cut: Arm roast works especially well because it becomes tender and flavorful after a long cook. Chuck roast is a good substitute if that is what you can find at the store.
Prep-ahead tip: This is a great dump-and-go meal for busy workdays. Slice the onion and measure the cinnamon the night before so you can get everything into the slow cooker quickly in the morning.
Leftover idea: Leftover beef is excellent piled onto toasted rolls, spooned over egg noodles, or tucked into baked potatoes the next day. The flavor gets even better after it rests in the sauce overnight.