This Slow Cooker Ground Beef Recipe is an easy, budget-friendly way to prepare flavorful, tender ground beef with minimal effort. Made with ground beef, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and simple seasonings, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep. Let your slow cooker do the work while you take care of everything else!
Use this versatile ground beef in tacos, burritos, pasta, rice bowls, casseroles, or your favorite comfort-food meals.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3–4 hours on LOW or 2–3 hours on HIGH
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
- Cooking Method: Slow Cooker
Ingredients
Hướng dẫn 2 cách làm mì Ý ngon chuẩn vị nhà hàng Michellin
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef
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Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Food safety tip: Ground beef should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Step 2: Prepare the Slow Cooker
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Lightly grease the inside of a 4–6-quart slow cooker if desired. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the bottom.
Step 3: Add the Ground Beef
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Transfer the cooked ground beef into the slow cooker. Spread it evenly over the onions and garlic.
Step 4: Add the Sauce and Seasonings
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Pour in the tomato sauce and beef broth. Add Worcestershire sauce, paprika, Italian seasoning, cumin, black pepper, salt, and optional chili powder.
Stir everything together until the beef is evenly coated.
Step 5: Slow Cook
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Cover with the lid and cook:
- LOW: 3–4 hours
- HIGH: 2–3 hours
Stir once halfway through if convenient. Cooking time can vary depending on your slow cooker.
Step 6: Check and Adjust the Flavor
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Check that the beef mixture is hot throughout and has reached a safe temperature. Stir well and taste. Add more salt, pepper, or chili powder if needed.
If the mixture is too watery, remove the lid and cook on HIGH for another 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
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Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley. Serve warm over rice, pasta, baked potatoes, or use it as a filling for tacos and wraps.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Ground Beef
- Choose lean ground beef: 85–90% lean beef works well and produces less excess grease.
- Brown before slow cooking: This adds flavor and helps remove excess fat.
- Don’t add too much liquid: Ground beef releases moisture as it cooks.
- Break up large pieces: Smaller crumbles make the mixture easier to use in different meals.
- Adjust the seasoning: Add extra cumin or chili powder for a taco-style flavor.
- Use a food thermometer: Ensure the ground beef reaches 160°F (71°C).
Easy Recipe Variations
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1. Slow Cooker Taco Ground Beef
Add 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, ½ teaspoon cumin, and a little extra chili powder. Use it for tacos, nachos, and burritos.
2. Cheesy Ground Beef
Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese during the final 10–15 minutes of cooking.
3. Italian Ground Beef
Add ½ teaspoon extra oregano and ½ cup diced bell peppers. Serve over spaghetti or penne.
4. Ground Beef and Vegetables
Add diced carrots, bell peppers, and zucchini for a hearty, vegetable-packed meal.
5. Spicy Ground Beef
Add red pepper flakes, jalapeños, or extra chili powder for a little heat.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Ground Beef
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8
This ground beef mixture is incredibly versatile. Serve it with:
- Steamed white or brown rice
- Mashed potatoes
- Spaghetti or penne pasta
- Warm tortillas or taco shells
- Baked potatoes
- Fresh green salad
- Garlic bread
- Roasted vegetables
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer: Freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in a covered, microwave-safe dish until steaming hot. Add a splash of beef broth if the mixture seems dry.
Meal Prep Tip: Divide the cooked beef into individual portions before freezing. This makes it easy to prepare quick meals throughout the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to brown ground beef before putting it in the slow cooker?
Yes, browning is recommended. It improves the flavor, helps remove excess fat, and makes it easier to break the beef into small crumbles.
2. Can I put raw ground beef directly into a slow cooker?
For this recipe, browning the beef first is the recommended method. It provides better texture and flavor. Avoid relying on slow cooking alone to safely cook a large block of raw ground beef.
3. How long does ground beef take in a slow cooker?
For this recipe, cook the browned ground beef for 3–4 hours on LOW or 2–3 hours on HIGH.
4. Can I make this recipe without tomato sauce?
Yes. Replace the tomato sauce with an additional ¾ cup beef broth and adjust the seasonings to taste. The final mixture will be less tomato-flavored.
5. Can I use frozen ground beef?
Thaw the ground beef safely in the refrigerator before browning. Do not put frozen ground beef directly into the slow cooker.
6. What can I make with leftover slow cooker ground beef?
Use leftovers in tacos, quesadillas, pasta sauce, stuffed peppers, baked potatoes, rice bowls, or casseroles.
Printable Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Ground Beef
slow-cooked ragu sauce Archives – Recipe bix
Tender, flavorful ground beef cooked with tomato sauce, garlic, onions, and simple seasonings.
Prep
10 min
Cook
3–4 hrs
Servings
6
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat for 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Add chopped onion and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Transfer browned ground beef into the slow cooker.
- Add tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.
- Stir until evenly combined.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours.
- Check that the beef reaches 160°F (71°C). Adjust seasonings.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Main Course • American • Slow Cooker
