Comparison: Best Beef For Slow Cooker (Updated | Dec 10th)
Ready to transform tough cuts into mouthwatering, fall-apart masterpieces? Your slow cooker is a magical tool, but the secret truly lies in choosing the right beef. Not all cuts are created equal when it comes to low-and-slow cooking. We’ve done the delicious homework for you, testing and tasting to separate the succulent champions from the tough contenders. Get ready to discover the best cuts that guarantee a rich, flavorful meal every single time, making your next slow-cooked dinner an absolute triumph.
- Best for bulk stew staple: McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix
- Best for classic stew flavor: McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix
- Best for editor’s choice pot roast: McCormick Slow Cooker Savory Pot Roast Seasoning Mix
- Best for italian sandwich hero: Orrington Farms Beef Slow Cooker Mix
- Best for classic veggie stew: Orrington Farms Slow Cookers Seasoning
- Best for simple beef base: Crockery Gourmet Seasoning Mix for Beef
- Best for beginner’s recipe guide: The Ultimate Crock Pot Cookbook for Beginners: Easy and Flavorful Crock Pot Recipes for Breakfast
- Best for tender pot roast mix: Orrington Farms Slow Cookers Seasoning Mix
- Best for italian beef starter: Orrington Farms Mix Beef Italian Slow Cooker
- Best for bulk veggie stew: Orrington Farms Seasoning Slow Cooker Veg Beef Stew
Product Comparison: Best Beef For Slow Cooker
McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix, 1.5 oz (Pack of 12)

- Tasty blend of black pepper, paprika and time to make a hearty, homemade beef stew
- No MSG or Artificial Flavors Added*
- Convenient seasoning blend made with McCormick Spices
- USAGE TIP: Dinner is a breeze with McCormick Slow Cooker: 8 hours on low, 4 hours on high in the slow cooker
- USAGE TIP: Meal is ready in approximately 30 minutes in your Instant Pot
McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix, 1.5 oz

- Delicious, hearty beef stew made easy
- Zero trans fats and artificial flavors
- Low-cholesterol diet friendly
- Easy recipe – just add water, beef, carrots, potatoes and onions
- Perfect intense flavor blend of black pepper, paprika an d thyme
McCormick Slow Cooker Savory Pot Roast Seasoning Mix, 1.3 oz

- HOMEMADE FLAVOR: Make homestyle pot roast with McCormick Slow Cooker Savory Pot Roast Seasoning Mix in your slow cooker or electric pressure cooker.
- OLD-FASHIONED FLAVOR: Satisfy your craving for old-fashioned comfort food with rich, flavorful pot roast. Made with onion, garlic, herbs, and spices.
- 10 MINUTES PREP: Trim a boneless chuck roast and chop up your choice of veggies like carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes. Combine with seasoning mix and water in a slow cooker or electric pressure cooker and simmer until tender.
- MAKES 10 SERVINGS: Perfect for a weeknight dinner with leftovers for casseroles, sandwiches, pasta, and soup. Also great for weekend meal prep and for cozy fall and winter get-togethers.
- PANTRY CONVENIENCE: Add convenience and variety to dinnertime with McCormick Seasoning Mixes. Try other tasty flavors such as Mississippi Roast and Hearty Beef Stew in your slow cooker or electric pressure cooker.
- No MSG
Orrington Farms Beef Slow Cooker Mix, Italian, 2.1 Ounce (Pack of 12)

- Value Pack of 12; each pouch makes approx. 10 servings
- Make dinner easy with our slow cooker seasonings, perfect for any family meal
- Contains sea salt
- For Italian Beef: 1 cup water 1 pouch Orrington Farms Italian Beef Seasoning 3 lbs chuck roast.** MIX water with 1 pouch Italian Beef Seasoning in a small bowl until completely combined. PLACE meat in slow cooker; pour sauce over. COVER and COOK on low 8 hours or on high 4 hours until beef is tender.
- Yield: About 10 sandwiches with 3 oz meat and 1/4 cup juice/sauce each. **Follow safe handling practices and cook meat thoroughly.
Orrington Farms Slow Cookers Seasoning, Vegetable Beef Stew, 2.5 oz Packet (Pack of 12)

- Value Pack of 12; each pouch makes approx. 8 servings
- Made with premium ingredients including onion, tomato, beef stock, garlic and pepper
- Make dinner easy with our slow cooker seasonings, perfect for any family meal
- For Vegetable Beef Stew: 1 cup water 1 pouch Orrington Farms Vegetable Beef Stew Seasoning 2 lbs beef stew meat** 2 medium celery stalks, chopped 2 medium carrots, chopped 2 medium potatoes, chopped 1-14 oz can of diced tomatoes, undrained MIX water with 1 pouch Vegetable Beef Stew Seasoning in a small bowl until completely combined. PLACE meat and vegetables in slow cooker; pour sauce over. COVER and COOK on low 8 hours or on high 4 hours until beef is tender. **Follow safe handling practices and cook meat thoroughly.
- Gluten Free; No Artificial Flavors; No Artificial Colors; Contains Sea Salt
Crockery Gourmet Seasoning Mix for Beef, Powdered Seasoning with Added Beef Flavor for Slow Cooker Meals, Just Add Mix, 2.5-Ounce Packets (Pack of 3 Packets)

- Crockery Gourmet Seasoning Mix for Beef, 2.5 oz Packet
- Easy to prepare meals for your slow cooker, just add seasoning mix
- Each packet contains about 10 servings
- Powdered seasoning that adds delicious beef flavor to all of your favorite, slow-cooked meals
- Add the mix to whatever your crock pot is cooking for a meal the whole family will love
The Ultimate Crock Pot Cookbook for Beginners: Easy and Flavorful Crock Pot Recipes for Breakfast, Vegetables, Snacks, Beef, Pork, Fish, Seafood, Desserts, Soups & Stews | Perfect for Families

Orrington Farms Slow Cookers Seasoning Mix, 2.5 Oz, Tender Pot Roast, 30 Oz (Pack of 12)

- Value Pack of 12; each pouch makes approx. 8 servings
- Made with premium ingredients including sea salt, onion, beef stock, pepper and garlic
- Make dinner easy with our slow cooker seasonings, perfect for any family meal
- Gluten Free; No Artificial Flavors; No Artificial Colors
- For Tender Pot Roast 1 1/2 cups water 1 pouch Orrington Farms Tender Pot Roast Seasoning 3-4 lbs chuck roast** 1 medium onion, chopped 2 medium celery stalks, chopped 2 cups baby carrots 3 large potatoes, chopped MIX water with 1 pouch Tender Pot Roast Seasoning in a small bowl until completely combined. PLACE meat and vegetables in slowcooker; pour sauce over. COVER and COOK on low 8 hours or on high 4 hours until beef is tender. Remove beef and slice. **Follow safe handling practices and cook meat thoroughly.
Orrington Farms Mix Beef Italian Slow Cooker, 2.1 oz

- Product is manufactured United States
Orrington Farms Seasoning Slow Cooker Veg Beef Stew, 2.5 oz

- Brought to you by Orrington Farms; High Quality; Total of 24; Save money by buying bulk; UPC:072058610746
- meat-seasonings
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What is the difference between the McCormick and Orrington Farms seasoning mixes?
Both brands offer convenient, flavorful options, but they have distinct profiles. McCormick focuses on classic, hearty flavors like their Hearty Beef Stew and Savory Pot Roast. Orrington Farms provides a wider variety, including unique options like Italian Beef and Vegetable Beef Stew, with many of their mixes being gluten-free.
Which seasoning mix is best for making a classic pot roast?
For a traditional pot roast, the McCormick Slow Cooker Savory Pot Roast Seasoning Mix is an excellent choice. It delivers an old-fashioned, homestyle flavor with a blend of onion, garlic, and herbs. Alternatively, the Orrington Farms Tender Pot Roast mix is another great option that promises a tender result.
Are these seasoning mixes suitable for other cooking methods besides a slow cooker?
Yes, many of these mixes are versatile. The McCormick Hearty Beef Stew mix, for example, can be used in an Instant Pot to have a meal ready in about 30 minutes. The McCormick Pot Roast mix is also noted to work well in electric pressure cookers.
I need a gluten-free option, which product should I choose?
If you require a gluten-free seasoning, the Orrington Farms brand is your best bet. Several of their products, including the Vegetable Beef Stew and Tender Pot Roast seasoning mixes, are explicitly labeled as gluten-free, with no artificial flavors or colors.
What’s the best value when buying these seasoning mixes?
The best value comes from purchasing the bulk packs. The McCormick Hearty Beef Stew and Orrington Farms Italian Beef are both available in packs of 12, providing multiple meals and reducing the cost per serving. Buying in bulk is especially economical for families who use their slow cooker frequently.
Can I use these mixes with different cuts of beef?
While these mixes are typically designed for specific cuts like chuck roast or stew meat, you can certainly experiment. For the best results, use tougher cuts with more connective tissue, as the slow cooking process will break them down, making the meat incredibly tender and flavorful.