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Slow Cooker Beef with Veggies in Savory Sauce (Serves 4)

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This hearty, flavorful beef dish is perfect for cozy weeknights. With tender chunks of meat, rich sauce, and optional vegetables, it’s a comforting one-pot wonder you’ll want to make again and again.

🛒 Ingredients

➤ For the Meat

  • 1 pound beef sirloin, chuck roast, or stew meat, cut into bite-sized chunks

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for browning)

➤ For the Sauce

  • ½ cup beef broth (low-sodium preferred)

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 1½ tablespoons brown sugar

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder

  • â…› teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

➤ Optional Add-ins

  • ½ pound baby potatoes, cut in half

  • ½ cup baby carrots

  • ½ cup sliced mushrooms

  • ½ medium onion, roughly chopped

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon cold water (for thickening)

🔪 Instructions

  1. Prep the beef: Pat meat dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.

  2. Brown the beef (optional): Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown meat quickly on all sides for extra flavor. Skip if you’re short on time.

  3. Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire, brown sugar, tomato paste, garlic, smoked paprika, onion powder, and red pepper flakes.

  4. Assemble: Add meat to slow cooker. If using vegetables, scatter them around and over the meat. Pour sauce over everything.

  5. Cook:

    • On low: 6–8 hours

    • On high: 3–4 hours
      Meat should be fork-tender.

  6. Thicken sauce (optional): Mix cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir into slow cooker about 20 minutes before serving. Cook on high uncovered until sauce thickens.

  7. Serve: Spoon over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

💡 Tips

  • Tastes even better the next day!

  • Freezes well for up to 3 months.

  • Add your favorite vegetables to make it a one-pot meal.

  • Browning the meat is optional but adds great depth of flavor.

🔧 Required Tools

  • Slow cooker or crockpot

  • Large skillet (if browning meat)

  • Mixing bowl

  • Paper towels

  • Whisk

  • Measuring cups and spoons