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A convenient collection of more than 30 beef Crock Pot recipes! From beef stew to chili, cozy soups to easy shredded pot roast, there’s a new, simple meal idea to add to your regular dinner rotation. Take advantage of the magic of the slow cooker, and “set it and forget it!”

Beef barbacoa on an image of beef crock pot recipes

Easy Beef Crock Pot Recipes

Whether you work in an office all day, have hectic evenings full of scheduled sports practices, or just don’t enjoy spending much time in the kitchen, these easy beef slow cooker recipes will help you get a delicious dinner on the table quickly. I’ve broken our favorites down into a few categories so that you can easily find what you’re looking for. Which meal will become your new family favorite? We’ve got:

  • Ground Beef Crock Pot Recipes
  • Shredded Beef
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Easy Beef Crock Pot Recipes

What is the best beef to cook in a crock pot?

Chuck roast is a very common cut for juicy beef in the slow cooker, but you can also use a brisket or a round roast for similar recipes. A boneless chuck roast (or a bone-in chuck roast, if you can find it) is my first choice for a many Crock Pot meals because it has great marbling, making the roast tender and juicy when braised. Chuck roast is cut from the shoulder just above the short rib, so it’s tougher (and therefore more affordable) than those cut from the front part of the animal, like the sirloin or short loin.

As the chuck roast cooks slowly over a long period of time, the tough connective tissue breaks down and the meat becomes fall-apart tender. Thanks to plenty of fat and marbling, it also stays juicy, rather than drying out like other leaner cuts might.

Can you put raw beef in the slow cooker?

Absolutely. Most recipes call for raw meat, which cooks low and slow in the Crock Pot until it’s tender and juicy. Some recipes suggest searing or browning the meat on the stovetop (to add color, flavor, and to lock in the juices) before adding it to the slow cooker, but this is not necessary in all cases — and the meat certainly doesn’t need to be cooked through before it goes into the pot.

Food safety experts advise against adding frozen meat to a slow cooker, though. This is because the slow cooker doesn’t bring the frozen beef up to a safe temperature quickly enough to prevent the growth of potentially harmful bacteria.

Do you need to put liquid in a slow cooker with beef?

Unlike pressure cookers, it’s not absolutely necessary to add liquid to the Crock Pot with beef. Most recipes include at least a little bit of broth or sauce to create a nice environment for braising the meat; however, it’s not a requirement. The meat and other ingredients will typically release a fair amount of juices, while the condensation from the lid will fall back down into the pot, adding even more moisture to the dish.

Horizontal collage of beef crock pot recipes

Crock Pot Recipes with Ground Beef

If you’ve got a pound or two of ground beef in your freezer, pull it out, thaw it, and use it in one of these easy meals. There are so many different options, including chili, soup, meatloaf, spaghetti sauce, Salisbury steak, and sloppy Joes!

Close overhead image of classic beef chili in bowls with toppings.
Overhead shot of hands eating a bowl of easy chili recipe with a spoon.

What We're Eating

Slow Cooker Chili
Your search for the best slow cooker chili recipe stops here! Use ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken to make it your own.
Square overhead shot of a bowl of crockpot cabbage soup with hamburger.

What We're Eating

Crockpot Cabbage Soup with Hamburger
It doesn't get much easier than a healthy crockpot cabbage soup with hamburger, beans, and loads of veggies!
Overhead shot of two bowls of slow cooker lasagna soup

What We're Eating

Lasagna Soup {Slow Cooker or Stovetop}
Whip up this flavorful and easy lasagna soup in the slow cooker or on the stovetop!
Square overhead shot of a bowl of hamburger soup

What We're Eating

Grandmother’s Hamburger Soup
This simple, healthy, and easy hamburger soup is pure comfort in a bowl, and it has stood the test of time for generations!
Overhead shot of crockpot spaghetti sauce recipe in a blue and white bowl on a wooden table

What We're Eating

Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce
An easy slow cooker dinner that the whole family will love!
Beef soup in a white bowl with sour cream cheese and green onions on top

What We're Eating

9-Can Beef Soup {Stovetop or Crock Pot}
The easiest homemade soup recipe! Make this simple 9 Can Beef Soup on the stovetop or in a Crock Pot for an easy weeknight dinner!
Square close up shot of crockpot meatloaf sliced on a serving tray.

What We're Eating

Crockpot Meatloaf
Just set it and forget it! You can "bake" a classic comfort food dinner in your slow cooker with this easy crockpot meatloaf recipe.
Overhead shot of spaghetti with meat sauce on a plate

What We're Eating

Spaghetti Meat Sauce {Slow Cooker or Stovetop}
Mom’s recipe for a hearty and healthy Spaghetti Meat Sauce is always a family favorite! The simple spaghetti sauce can be prepared on the stovetop or in the Crock Pot for a cozy, easy dinner on chilly nights!

What We're Eating

Slow Cooker Cowboy Pork and Beans with Ground Beef
Slow Cooker pork and beans are loaded with ground beef and vegetables in a hearty sauce. This simple slow cooker meal is perfect for pot lucks, because it feeds a crowd!
Side shot of a bowl of pumpkin chili

What We're Eating

Pumpkin Chili {Slow Cooker or Stovetop}
On the stovetop or in the slow cooker, this Pumpkin Chili recipe is an easy and healthy dinner that's perfect for fall!

What We're Eating

Chili Con Carne
This easy Chili Con Carne recipe is made with just a few simple ingredients for a fast yet hearty chili recipe! Serve with your favorite chili toppings and a side of cornbread for a complete meal.
Large square overhead image of taco soup

What We're Eating

Easy Taco Soup
Simmer a pot of easy taco soup on the stovetop or in the Crock Pot for a healthy and satisfying dinner with just 10 minutes of prep! 

What We're Eating

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
With only 15 minutes of prep, this Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak with mushroom gravy is an easy dinner any night of the week!

What We're Eating

Slow Cooker Italian Sloppy Joes
The easiest way to make sloppy joes is in the slow cooker. It takes only 15 minutes prep and does all the work for you. A super easy and delicious comfort food meal!

Shredded Beef Crock Pot Recipes

Succulent, tender, and juicy shredded beef is total comfort food. From Mexican-inspired barbacoa or taco soup, to classic pot roasts, French dip sandwiches, and an Italian ragu — see how you can use your slow cooker to achieve a decadent and delicious supper any day of the week.

Overhead image of a plate of beef barbacoa on a wooden dinner table
Overhead shot of a square featured image of a plate of beef barbacoa

What We're Eating

Crock Pot Beef Barbacoa
Just like your favorite meat from Chipotle, this copycat Beef Barbacoa is a simple way to enjoy a flavorful, restaurant-quality meal at home!
Close up side shot of easy Mississippi Pot Roast served over mashed potatoes on a dinner table.

What We're Eating

Mississippi Pot Roast
Just a few pantry ingredients create a flavorful, tender and juicy Mississippi Pot Roast — an easy dinner for the oven, Crock Pot or Instant Pot!
Close up front shot of Crock Pot Italian Beef served on a toasted hoagie roll with giardiniera

What We're Eating

Crock Pot Italian Beef
This tender and juicy crock pot Italian beef is perfect for a busy dinner night! You can make homemade Italian beef sandwiches with this shredded beef recipe – just add cheese and giardiniera.

What We're Eating

Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast
Tender, juicy, and full of flavor, this easy Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast with vegetables and gravy is a delicious dinner that the whole family will love!
Close overhead shot of slow cooker beef ragu recipe served over pasta in a blue and white bowl

What We're Eating

Beef Ragu Recipe {Slow Cooker or Stovetop}
Total comfort food — with just 10 minutes of prep! Prepare this Beef Ragu recipe in the slow cooker or on the stovetop for an Italian-inspired easy dinner!
Square overhead shot of crock pot pot roast on a serving platter on a wooden table

What We're Eating

Crock Pot Pot Roast
This easy Crock Pot pot roast recipe boasts a unique and flavorful combination of Coca Cola, onion soup mix seasoning, potatoes, carrots, onions, and herbs!
Photo of easy slow cooker French Dip Sandwiches on a wooden board with dipping sauce in the background

What We're Eating

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
These french dip sandwiches are the perfect satisfying comfort food meal to feed the family on busy weeknights.
Slow Cooker Beef Barbecue on a bun

What We're Eating

Slow Cooker Beef Barbecue
Slow cooker beef barbecue that’s juicy, tender and absolutely delicious! Enjoy on a bun with sides such as coleslaw and salad.
Square overhead shot of pot roast with cream of mushroom soup and carrots and potatoes on a platter.

What We're Eating

Crock Pot Pot Roast with Cream of Mushroom Soup
A tender and juicy slow cooker pot roast made with cream of mushroom soup and a packet of Lipton onion soup mix!

Healthy Beef Crock Pot Recipes

Lightened up with plenty of veggies and lean meat, healthy options like Crock Pot beef stew make nutritious dinners a breeze!

Hands holding a bowl of the best beef barley soup recipe.
Hands holding a bowl of the best beef barley soup recipe.

What We're Eating

Beef Barley Soup
This old-fashioned Beef Barley Soup is a healthy and cozy lunch or dinner for cool nights!
Serving tray with crockpot corned beef and cabbage with carrots and potatoes.

What We're Eating

Dump-and-Bake Corned Beef and Cabbage
This corned beef and cabbage could not be easier! It's made in one pot with simple ingredients — a cozy meal that's perfect for St. Patrick's Day!
Square overhead shot of a bowl of beef burgundy.

What We're Eating

Beef Burgundy {Beef Bourguignon}
This easy Beef Burgundy recipe simplifies the classic dish made famous by Julia Child. Prepare the tender beef stew in the oven or in the slow cooker!
Square overhead shot of a bowl of Irish stew

What We're Eating

Irish Stew
Prepare this traditional rich, thick Irish Stew recipe on the stovetop or in the slow cooker for a hearty and delicious comfort food dinner!
A beef stew in a white pot with carrots and potatoes

What We're Eating

Slow Cooker Beef Stew
This classic slow cooker beef stew is so easy to prepare and simmers away while you get on with other things. It’s so comforting and better yet it’s made all in one pot!

Brisket, Roast Beef, and Other Easy Beef Crock Pot Recipes

Don’t forget that you can use your slow cooker to prepare other types of meat-based meals, including bbq brisket sandwiches, beef tips and gravy, or a hearty goulash.

What We're Eating

Slow Cooker Brisket Recipe
This Slow Cooker Brisket recipe is the easiest way to get a tender, juicy, and flavorful beef brisket — and you only need 10 minutes of prep!
Two bowls of mashed potatoes with crockpot beef tips and gravy on a dinner table.

What We're Eating

Beef Tips and Gravy
The greatest comfort food! In the Crock Pot or in the oven, these beef tips and gravy are an easy dinner for cozy nights at home.

What We're Eating

Classic Pot Roast with Vegetables and Gravy (oven or slow cooker)
A classic comforting pot roast with vegetables and gravy plus there’s an oven and slow cooker option.

What We're Eating

Balsamic Slow Cooker Roast Beef
Looking for an easy chuck roast recipe? This Balsamic Slow Cooker Roast Beef only requires about 5 minutes of hands-on time, and then the Crock Pot does the work!
Close up front shot of hungarian goulash served over noodles

What We're Eating

Hungarian Goulash
A rich, flavorful, and comforting beef stew (or soup) that's easy to prepare in one pot!
Square overhead image of a bowl of slow cooker beef stroganoff over egg noodles

What We're Eating

Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff
This Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff is an easier version of the comfort food classic — and it's packed with flavor!

What are your favorite beef crockpot recipes?

Leave a note in the comments below to share your favorite beef crock pot recipes with the rest of us. We’re always looking for new ideas!

Square collage of beef crock pot recipes
blair

Hey, I’m Blair!

Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you’ll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It’s down-home, country-style cooking!

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    1. Hi, Betty Lue! Thank you so much for asking! I don’t have a cookbook available, and there isn’t one in the works at the moment. We’ve had lots of discussions about it, so it likely will happen…but not yet! 🙂