Comparison: Best Slow Cooker Beef (Updated | Dec 8th)
We’ve tested the most popular approaches to separate the succulent successes from the tough disappointments. Whether you’re planning a cozy family dinner or meal prepping for the week ahead, our guide will help you achieve perfectly tender beef every time with minimal effort.
- Best for hearty stew mix: McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix
- Best for flavorful stew base: McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix
- Best for beginner crock pot guide: The Ultimate Crock Pot Cookbook for Beginners: Easy and Flavorful Crock Pot Recipes for Breakfast
- Best for family size cooker: Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker
- Best for 1400 recipe collection: Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook: 1400 Best Slow Cooker Recipes!
- Best for savory pot roast mix: McCormick Slow Cooker Savory Pot Roast Seasoning Mix
- Best for vegetable beef stew mix: Orrington Farms Slow Cookers Seasoning
- Best for large programmable cooker: Crock-Pot Large 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Auto Warm Setting Black Stainless Steel
- Best for portable cook & carry: Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer Stainless Steel (CPSCVC60LL-S) pack of 1
- Best for smart timer cooker: Crock-Pot 7-Quart Slow Cooker
Product Comparison: Best Slow Cooker Beef
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
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
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR), Versatile Cookware for Large Families or Entertaining
- Generous Capacity: 7-quart slow cooker that comfortably serves 9+ people or fits a 7-pound roast
- Cooking Flexibility: High or low slow cooking settings, with convenient warm function for ideal serving temperature
- Convenient: Set it and forget it feature enables you to cook while at work or performing daily tasks
- Minimal Clean-Up: One-pot cooking reduces dishes; lid and removable stoneware are dishwasher safe
- Versatile: Removable stoneware insert can be used in the microwave or an oven up to 400°F
- Stylish: Stainless steel exterior with black accents and practical plastic handles
- Economical & Healthy: Provides a cost-efficient way to prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals
Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook: 1400 Best Slow Cooker Recipes!
- Used Book in Good Condition
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 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
Crock-Pot Large 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Auto Warm Setting Black Stainless Steel
- Cooking Capacity: Prepares food for over 10 people, making it a holiday dinner hosting essential.
- Digital Timer: Counts down cooking time up to 20 hours for easy monitoring.
- Auto Warm: Automatically keeps food warm after cooking for optimal serving temperature.
- Easy Cleanup: Features a removable, dishwasher-safe lid and stoneware pot for convenient cleaning.
- Memory Function: Resets to previous settings in case of a power outage.
- Elegant Design: Black stainless steel finish is stylish, easy to clean, and fits any kitchen decor.
Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer Stainless Steel (CPSCVC60LL-S) pack of 1
- Programmable Digital Timer: Control cooking times from 30 minutes up to 20 hours
- Serve a Crowd: 6 quart Cook & Carry Slow Cooker serves 7 plus people
- Locking Lid: Lid gasket provides extra seal for less mess during transport
- Interactive Cooking: Safe for use in oven up to 400 degree F, and microwave
- Worry-free Travel: Secure locking lid and rubber gasket prevent spills
- Material: Contains Aluminum, Stainless Steel (Iron, Chromium, Nickel, Manganese, Copper, Phosphorus)
- Environmentally Friendly: Energy efficient at 240 Watts at 120V A.C; and 60Hz
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Slow Cooker, Portable Programmable with Timer, Locking Lid, Stainless Steel; an Essential Kitchen Appliance, Perfect for Families and Gatherings
- Personalized Cooking: MyTime adjusts the cooking cycle so your meal is ready exactly when you want it
- Leak-proof Lid: Travel-proof locking lid provides a tight seal to prevent leaks and spills
- Large Capacity: Fitted with a 7-quart bowl that serves 7+ people – perfect for families or gatherings
- Temperature Control: Auto-adjustment cooking cycle ensures meals are never overcooked but always flavor-filled
- Intuitive Control: Flat digital control screen lets you schedule meal times, and manually control cook time and temperature
- Convenient Handles: ‘Cook and Carry’ handles for hassle-free lifting and carrying
- Sustainable Materials: Made of Aluminum, Stainless Steel (Iron, Chromium, Nickel, Manganese, Copper, Phosphorus), and is 100% recyclable.
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 size slow cooker should I buy for cooking beef?
The size you need depends on your household and how you plan to use it. For families or meal prepping, a 6-quart model like the Crock-Pot Cook & Carry serves 7+ people, while larger gatherings might benefit from the 7-quart or 8-quart models that can serve 9+ people. If you’re cooking large cuts of beef like a 7-pound roast, consider the larger capacity models to ensure it fits comfortably.
What’s the difference between manual and programmable slow cookers?
Manual slow cookers like the Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval model offer basic high/low settings with a warm function, while programmable models like the Crock-Pot Large 8-Quart allow you to set specific cooking times. Programmable models often include features like digital timers, auto-warm settings, and memory functions that restore settings after power outages. For busy schedules, programmable models offer more convenience and precision in your cooking.
Are the seasoning mixes worth buying for my slow cooker beef recipes?
Seasoning mixes like McCormick and Orrington Farms offer convenience and consistent flavor for your slow cooker beef dishes. These blends are specifically formulated for slow cooking and contain balanced combinations of spices like black pepper, paprika, thyme, garlic, and onion. They’re particularly useful if you’re new to slow cooking or want to achieve authentic flavors without buying multiple individual spices.
Which slow cooker is best for taking dishes to potlucks or gatherings?
The Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry and the Crock-Pot 7-Quart Portable models are specifically designed for transport with their locking lids and secure handles. These models feature gaskets that provide extra sealing to prevent spills during travel, making them ideal for bringing your beef dishes to parties or family gatherings. The 7-quart model also includes the MyTime feature that adjusts cooking cycles so your meal is ready exactly when you need it.
How do I prevent my beef from becoming dry or overcooked in a slow cooker?
To prevent dry beef, choose cuts with some marbling like chuck roast, and ensure there’s enough liquid in the cooker. Models with advanced temperature control like the Crock-Pot 7-Quart with MyTime technology automatically adjust cooking cycles to prevent overcooking while maintaining flavor. Additionally, using the warm function on your slow cooker once cooking is complete will keep your beef at the ideal serving temperature without further cooking it.
Are there any health considerations when using slow cooker seasoning mixes?
Many seasoning mixes now offer healthier options with no artificial flavors, colors, or MSG. The McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning and Orrington Farms Vegetable Beef Stew Seasoning are both free from artificial flavors, with Orrington Farms also being gluten-free. If you’re watching your sodium intake, consider using less of the pre-made seasoning and supplementing with fresh herbs and spices.
What are the benefits of a removable stoneware insert?
Removable stoneware inserts offer several advantages for slow cooker beef recipes. They make cleanup much easier as most are dishwasher-safe, and you can serve directly from the attractive stoneware dish. Many models like the Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker allow you to use the stoneware separately in the oven or microwave up to 400°F, giving you more cooking versatility and reducing the number of dishes you need to use.
How long does it typically take to cook beef in a slow cooker?
Cooking times for beef in a slow cooker vary depending on the cut and temperature setting. Most recipes recommend 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high for beef stew meat, as mentioned in the Orrington Farms seasoning instructions. Some seasoning mixes like McCormick also offer faster cooking methods, with their products ready in approximately 30 minutes when used in an Instant Pot instead of a traditional slow cooker.
