How to Make Ground Beef in the Crockpot Recipe
Introduction
This simple ground beef recipe in the crockpot is perfect for busy days when you want a hands-off, flavorful meal. It yields tender, well-seasoned beef ideal for a variety of dishes like tacos, casseroles, or pasta. Let your slow cooker do the work while you focus on other things.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. ground beef (7-20% fat)
- 1 ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. onion powder
- 1 small white onion, diced
Instructions
- Step 1: Crumble the ground beef slightly with your fingers and place it in the slow cooker.
- Step 2: Sprinkle the salt, garlic powder, and onion powder evenly over the beef.
- Step 3: Add the diced white onion and stir everything together to combine.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or on high for 3 hours. Stir occasionally, breaking up the meat further with a spatula each time you stir.
- Step 5: Once cooked through and tender, serve the ground beef as desired and enjoy.
Tips & Variations
- For more flavor, brown the ground beef in a skillet before adding it to the crockpot.
- Add extra seasonings like chili powder or cumin to customize for tacos or Mexican dishes.
- Including diced bell peppers or mushrooms can add texture and nutrition.
- If your slow cooker runs hot, use the low setting to avoid drying out the beef.
Storage
Store leftover cooked ground beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through. For longer storage, freeze the beef in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use leaner ground beef in this recipe?
Yes, but very lean ground beef may dry out during slow cooking. To keep it moist, consider adding a little beef broth or a small amount of oil.
Do I need to brown the beef before adding it to the crockpot?
Browned beef adds extra flavor and a better texture, but it’s not necessary. The slow cooker will still produce tender and flavorful meat without browning.
PrintHow to Make Ground Beef in the Crockpot Recipe
This simple slow cooker ground beef recipe is perfect for busy days when you want to prep meat effortlessly. Seasoned with salt, garlic powder, and onion powder, and cooked low and slow with diced onions, the beef turns tender and flavorful, making it ideal for a variety of dishes like tacos, casseroles, and pasta sauces.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 5 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Ground Beef Mixture
- 2 lbs. ground beef (7-20% fat)
- 1 ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. onion powder
- 1 small white onion, diced
Instructions
- Prepare the ground beef: Crumble the ground beef slightly with your fingers to loosen it up and place it into the slow cooker.
- Season the meat: Sprinkle the salt, garlic powder, and onion powder evenly over the ground beef.
- Add diced onion: Add the diced white onion to the slow cooker and stir all ingredients together gently to combine.
- Cook the beef: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 5 hours, or cook on high for 3 hours. Stir occasionally during cooking, breaking up the meat gently with a spatula to ensure even cooking.
- Serve: Once cooked through and tender, serve the ground beef as desired, incorporating it into your favorite recipes.
Notes
- Using ground beef with a fat content between 7-20% works best for flavor and moisture.
- Stir occasionally to break the meat apart and prevent clumping.
- Cook on low for best texture and flavor development; high setting works fine if you’re pressed for time.
- Drain excess fat after cooking, if desired, before using the beef in other recipes.
- This beef is great for meal prep and can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.
Keywords: ground beef, slow cooker beef, crockpot beef recipe, easy ground beef, slow cooked meat
