Slow Cooker Ground Beef
No Comments Sep 20, 2023
Updated May 08, 2024
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Can you cook ground beef in crock pot? Absolutely, and this Slow Cooker Ground Beef recipe will make cooking it a breeze! All you need are just a few ingredients and a few hours of cooking time to make delicious beef that can be used in any recipe.
Use this cooked ground beef to make Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin or add it to your Slow Cooker Rotel Dip.
Table of Contents
Why you should try cooking ground beef in the slow cooker
The most popular way to cook ground beef is on the stovetop. This is a great option unless you’re not ready to actually use it or want to meal prep. In this case, crockpot ground beef is the perfect option for browning ground beef. The cooked beef can be used immediately or stored in the refrigerator or freezer for use later.
Once you see how simple the cooking process is, you’ll most likely want to cook all of your ground beef in a crockpot! Your slow cooker meals that need ground beef just got easier. Family dinner plus minimal effort equals stress-free cooking.
Recipe Ingredients
- Ground Beef: This recipe calls for 2 pounds of ground beef. I suggest using beef that falls between 7-20 % fat so you don’t have much grease to drain from the cooked meat.
- Salt: Adding salt to raw hamburger meat helps to enhance the texture of the beef.
- Garlic Powder: Don’t worry about an overwhelming garlic taste. The amount used is just right for the meat mixture and can be used for any beef recipe.
- Onion Powder: Similar to garlic powder, onion powder adds a bit more flavor but doesn’t make a huge difference in taste.
- Onion: A small white onion is diced and added for both texture and to make the beef a bit heartier.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Slightly crumble all the ground beef with your fingers and add to the slow cooker. This will help it cook evenly. Sprinkle over the salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder. Add the diced white onion.
Step Two – Stir the raw beef and add ingredients until well combined.
Step Three – Cook on LOW for 5 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours. Stir occasionally to break up the meat. Use a spatula or slotted spoon. Serve and enjoy immediately or save for later dinner prep.
Ways to use ground beef
- Easily make a delicious dinner like stuffed peppers. All you need are bell peppers, diced tomatoes, rice, and anything else you’d like to add on top (like shredded cheese).
- Sloppy joes can quickly be made by adding tomato sauce.
- Make a cheeseburger casserole by adding cheddar cheese, cream cheese, or a shredded cheese of your choice.
- Use this ground beef to make a tomato-based meat sauce for delicious slow cooker spaghetti.
- Crockpot taco meat can be whipped up by adding taco seasoning. Top of Taco Tuesday with sour cream, cheese, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and taco sauce.
- This beef works perfectly in slow cooker chili recipes.
Recipe FAQs
If you use a fatty ground beef, you can use paper towels to soak up any grease.
Yes, stirring occasionally. Turn the cook mode to KEEP WARM and then off completely once the meat gets low.
It isn’t necessary since the beef will create its own grease. If you don’t want the excess fat on the pot, consider using a slow cooker liner.
No, start from thawed meat.
There are several ways to consider storing the cooked beef. If you want to use it in a variety of ground beef recipes, I suggest storing it in 1-quart Ziploc bags. You can also store it in freezer bags, or small plastic tupperware.
Yes. You can place raw beef in a slow cooker, be sure that it is cooked thoroughly before eating.
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Slow Cooker Ground Beef
Equipment
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
- Crumble the beef slightly with your fingers and add to the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle over the salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder.
- Add the diced white onion. Stir.
- Cook on low for 5 hours or on high for 3 hours. Stirring occasionally, when stirring break up the meat with the spatula.
- Serve and enjoy.
Sarah’s Notes
- There are several ways to consider storing the cooked beef. If you want to use it in a variety of ground beef recipes, I suggest storing it in 1-quart Ziploc bags. You can also store it in freezer bags, or small plastic tupperware.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of ground beef.
- Do not use frozen ground beef, be sure to thaw ahead of time.
- If you use a fatty ground beef, you can use paper towels to soak up any grease.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
