Why You’ll Love This Recipe
-
Hands-Off Cooking: Simply add everything to the slow cooker and let it do the work, allowing you to enjoy a flavorful meal without constant monitoring.
-
Tender and Flavorful: The slow cooking process ensures the beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, while the balsamic sauce adds a perfect balance of tanginess and sweetness.
-
Versatile: Great for sandwiches, over rice, or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
-
Minimal Ingredients: Simple ingredients come together to create an irresistible dish.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
-
2 lbs beef chuck roast (or any slow-cook beef cut like brisket or round)
-
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
-
1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
-
1/2 cup beef broth
-
3 tablespoons brown sugar (or honey for a lighter option)
-
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
-
1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)
-
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
-
Sear the Beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the beef chuck roast with salt and pepper, and sear the meat on all sides until it’s browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. This step adds depth of flavor but can be skipped if you’re short on time.
-
Prepare the Slow Cooker: Transfer the seared beef to the slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic, and thyme.
-
Slow Cook the Beef: Pour the balsamic mixture over the beef in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
-
Shred the Beef: Once the beef is done cooking, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the sauce in the slow cooker and stir to combine, letting the beef soak up the flavorful sauce.
-
Serve: Serve the balsamic beef over mashed potatoes, rice, or on a bun for sandwiches. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme, if desired.
Servings and Timing
-
Servings: 6-8
-
Preparation Time: 10 minutes (if searing)
-
Cooking Time: 7-8 hours on low, or 4-5 hours on high
-
Total Time: 7-8 hours (depending on cooking method)
Variations
-
Add Vegetables: For a one-pot meal, add carrots, onions, or potatoes to the slow cooker along with the beef to cook them in the balsamic sauce.
-
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño to the sauce for a bit of heat.
-
Different Cuts of Beef: You can substitute the chuck roast with brisket or round, but chuck roast is ideal for slow cooking as it becomes more tender with long cooking times.
Storage/Reheating
-
Storage: Store leftover balsamic beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
-
Freezing: The beef can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container.
-
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen the sauce if it’s thickened.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe without searing the beef?
While searing the beef adds flavor, you can skip this step and still get a delicious dish. Just place the raw beef directly in the slow cooker.
What if I don’t have balsamic vinegar?
If you don’t have balsamic vinegar, you can substitute it with red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, but the flavor will be slightly different.
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, you can use other slow-cooking cuts like brisket or round, but chuck roast is the best option for its tenderness and flavor when slow-cooked.
Can I use this recipe for meal prep?
Yes! The leftovers are perfect for meal prep. You can portion out the shredded beef and store it in the refrigerator or freezer for future meals.
Can I add other spices to the sauce?
Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste by adding garlic powder, onion powder, or even a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
How can I make this recipe low-carb?
Serve the balsamic beef with cauliflower rice or roasted vegetables for a low-carb meal instead of rice or potatoes.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef is a tender, flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy nights when you want something easy yet satisfying. With minimal prep and a simple balsamic-based sauce, this dish delivers incredible flavor and versatility, whether served over rice, potatoes, or in a sandwich. The slow cooker does all the work, making it a hassle-free meal that’s sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth beef with every bite!
Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-8 hours
- Total Time: 7-8 hours
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef is a melt-in-your-mouth, savory dish made with tender beef slow-cooked in a rich balsamic vinegar-based sauce. This dish is perfect for busy days, served over mashed potatoes, rice, or in sandwiches. It’s a hands-off, flavorful meal that infuses the beef with deep, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors.
Ingredients
For the Beef:
-
2 lbs beef chuck roast (or brisket or round)
-
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
-
1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
-
1/2 cup beef broth
-
3 tablespoons brown sugar (or honey)
-
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
-
1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
-
Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper, and sear on all sides until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to the slow cooker.
-
Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic, and thyme. Pour the sauce over the beef in the slow cooker.
-
Slow Cook the Beef: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours until the beef is tender and can be easily shredded.
-
Shred the Beef: Once cooked, remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the sauce in the slow cooker, stirring to coat.
-
Serve: Serve the balsamic beef over mashed potatoes, rice, or on a bun for sandwiches. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme.
Notes
Add Vegetables: Add carrots, onions, or potatoes to the slow cooker for a one-pot meal.Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño to the sauce for heat.Different Cuts of Beef: Substitute chuck roast with brisket or round for a similar slow-cooked beef dish.
