There is a special comfort in a slow cooker supper that asks very little of you and still fills the house with the kind of smell that makes folks wander into the kitchen early. This slow cooker 5-ingredient Amish onion soup beef is the sort of plain, dependable meal that suits a busy day, using beef chuck tender steak, dry onion soup mix, and a few pantry staples to make a savory, spoon-tender dinner with rich gravy. It has that practical farmhouse spirit so many Midwestern cooks appreciate: simple ingredients, hearty results, and enough warmth to gather everybody around the table.
This beef is mighty good served over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or fluffy white rice so none of that oniony gravy goes to waste. If you want to round out the plate, green beans, glazed carrots, corn, or a simple side salad all fit nicely. A warm biscuit or thick slice of bread on the side makes it feel like Sunday dinner, even on an ordinary weeknight.
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Amish Onion Soup Beef
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 to 2 1/2 pounds beef chuck tender steak
1 packet dry onion soup mix, about 1 ounce
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 10 1/2 ounces
1 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with a bit of oil or nonstick spray if desired. Place the beef chuck tender steak in the slow cooker in an even layer.
2. Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the beef. Spoon the condensed cream of mushroom soup on top, then pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.
3. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is very tender and easy to pull apart with a fork.
4. Use two forks to gently break the beef into large pieces or shred it lightly right in the cooker. Stir the sauce so the gravy is smooth and coats the meat well.
5. Serve hot over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice, with plenty of gravy spooned over the top.
Variations & Tips
Mushroom Lover's Version: Add 8 ounces of sliced fresh mushrooms during the last 2 hours of cooking for even more savory flavor and a fuller gravy.
Thicker Gravy: If you like a gravy that sits up a little more, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir it into the slow cooker during the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking.
Extra Onion Flavor: A sliced yellow onion tucked under the beef adds sweetness and gives the finished dish an even heartier, old-fashioned taste.
Best Cut Tip: Chuck tender steak works beautifully here because the long, slow cooking gives it time to soften. If that is what you have on hand, chuck roast can be used the same way.
Make It a Full Meal: If you want supper all in one pot, nestle in a few peeled carrots during the first part of cooking and serve everything together with the gravy spooned over top.