written by The Recipe Rebel
Last updated on June 1, 2020
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These Ground Beef Crock Pot recipes are a great way to spice up your weekday meals! Easy slow cooker recipes to use up that ground beef you’ve got lying around 😉
Table of Contents
- Tips for making these Ground Beef Crock Pot Recipes:
- Can you cook ground beef in a Crock Pot?
- More Crock Pot recipes:
At this point, we all know how much I love my crock pot.
My Crock Pot and my Instant Pot are my two go-to’s this fall and will be through the winter as well. They just make my life so much easier!
I always stock up on ground beef when the large warehouse packs are on sale, and I will often batch cook and prep a whole bunch of beef at one time.
I will cook some of it and store it in 1lb freezer bags to throw in any of these recipes when I need something quick, or I’ll make a large batch of spaghetti sauce, chili or lasagna as they freeze perfectly and are always a hit around here!
Around here, ground beef and chicken breast are two things we see a lot of on the dinner table. They’re lean, high protein, they’re easy, there’s no bones to worry about, not a lot of chopping up for the kids plates. As a mom of 3 very busy little girls, easy dinners like these are my gift to myself!
If you’re a little short on time, or sanity, or you just enjoy simple, hearty, slow cooked meals, check my list of ground beef crock pot recipes and let me know which ones you try and love! (The Chili Macaroni Soup is next on my list!).
Tips for making these Ground Beef Crock Pot Recipes:
- Save yourself some prep time by batch cooking your beef for these ground beef crock pot recipes and storing in 1lb portions in freezer bags. Your future self will thank you!
- If you use regular ground beef, you will definitely want to drain it well. I always spend a little more for lean or extra lean ground beef (not because fat is bad, I just try to keep it to a reasonable amount and save steps), and there is often not a lot of fat left in the pan to drain.
- You can easily bump up the veggie content in any ground beef recipe by cooking your beef with extra shredded, finely chopped or pureed vegetables: mushrooms, onions, peppers, carrots, and zucchini are some of my favorites to add in!
Can you cook ground beef in a Crock Pot?
The short answer? Yes.
The long answer? Not well. The crock pot doesn’t get hot enough to brown ground beef quickly enough that it makes sense to do so. It’s much more time efficient to brown ground beef in a pan over medium-high heat. Because it’s covered, it also keeps the steam in which prevents browning.
I do not recommend adding raw beef to a ground beef crock pot recipe because all of the fat and juices will leak out into the sauce and you’ll end up with a bland, possibly greasy meal that isn’t nearly as appetizing as the ones below.
If you are really insistent that you want to cook your ground beef in the slow cooker, you can crumble the ground beef into the bottom, and set to high. Open to release the steam and stir every hour until completely cooked through.
More Crock Pot recipes:
If you love the idea of crock pot cooking but don’t want to stick to ground beef, check out my list of Easy Crockpot Meals.
If you love crock pot cooking but want to skip all the prep work, check out my list of Dump ‘n’ Go Slow Cooker Recipes (no pre-cooking!).
If you’re more of a chicken fan, check out my Crockpot Chicken Recipes.
Healthier Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
Crock Pot Pizza Casserole
Slow Cooker Roasted Red Pepper Chili
Crockpot Goulash
Slow Cooker Enchilada Stack
Slow Cooker Pineapple Brown Sugar Meatballs
Crock Pot Beef Queso Dip
Healthier Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
Slow Cooker Italian Style Beef Bolognese
Slow Cooker Beef Macaroni Stuffed Peppers
Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Slow Cooker Meatball Subs
Slow Cooker Three Bean Beef Chili
Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
Crockpot Lasagna Tortellini Soup
Bacon Cheeseburger Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole
Slow Cooker Taco Soup
Crock Pot Paleo Hamburger Soup
Slow Cooker Meatloaf
Crock Pot Cheesy Chili Macaroni Soup
Crock Pot Cincinnati Chili
Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs
Slow Cooker Hearty Ground Beef Stew
Slow Cooker Taco Soup
FAQs
Yes, you can totally cook raw beef in a slow cooker. Many slow-cooker chili recipes have a step for browning the beef before it goes into the Crock-Pot. While this step isn't necessary, caramelizing the meat creates richer, bolder flavors.
How long does it take ground beef to cook in a crock pot? ›
Place the ground beef into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Break up the meat with a large spoon and add the water. Cover and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or low for 4 to 6 hours. Once the beef is cooked through, carefully pour the excess grease and liquid from the slow cooker dish.
Do you have to brown ground beef before crockpot? ›
Ground meat should always be browned in a skillet and drained before adding it to the slow cooker with the other ingredients. This process prevents it from clumping together as it cooks and cuts down on the amount of grease in the final dish.
How do you keep ground beef from drying out in a crock pot? ›
Leaner blends require more moisture, so make sure to add enough liquid. Water is fine, but beef stock can add extra flavor. Plus, it contains collagen which will keep everything tender. If you're using a fattier blend, it will do better on the Low setting for a longer period of time.
How long does it take raw beef to cook in a crock pot? ›
Simply add the meat to your slow cooker with aromatics, stock and sauces and cook either on High for 4-5 hours or on Low for 5-8 hours. How do you make meat tender in a slow cooker? Choosing a cut of beef best suited for low and slow cooking is the ideal way to get extra tender meat.
Why is my ground beef still pink in the crockpot? ›
Persistent Pink Color in Cooked Meat Patties
There are several reasons why ground beef may remain pink at temperatures above 160 degrees F. This phenomenon is primarily associated with the pH and the level of pigment in the meat, as well as the fat content. Normal fresh muscle has a pH ranging from 5.3 to 5.7.
Why is my beef still tough after 8 hours in the slow cooker? ›
If you overcook meat, it becomes dry and tough. Often people using a slow cooker and don't check when the food is actually done. If a recipe says cook for 8 hours on low, people may not check the food for 8 hours.
Is it better to cook beef on high or low in a crock pot? ›
Tips for making the best beef stew
Browning the beef in a skillet beforehand will bring out even more flavor. Cook it on low. While many slow cooker recipes can be made on high for 3-4 hours, I highly recommend cooking this beef stew on low for the full 7-8 hours. This will ensure that the beef gets nice and tender.
Can you overcook ground beef in a slow cooker? ›
You can definitely overcook ground beef with a crock pot. If it's left in too long, it will not be as juicy or tender. It's even possible to burn your meat in a crock pot, but this will only happen if you don't add water or if you leave it in for a very long time.
What's the difference between slow cooker and crockpot? ›
However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat.
What searing or browning your soon-to-be-slow-cooked meat will do is speed up the cooking time and can give it a nice caramelized flavor. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish," Southern Living test kitchen director Robby Melvin said.
When to add potatoes to a slow cooker? ›
Tender vegetables such as zucchini and beans can be added to your dish in last ¾ - 1 hour of cooking when cooking on High, or 2 hours if cooking on Low. Hard, starchy vegetables like potato and carrots are best added around 3 hours before the meal is done if cooking on High, and 4 hours on Low.
How long can ground beef stay in a crock pot? ›
Stick to the cook time indicated on your recipe
Most slow cooker meals take 8-12 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high, but there are also recipes for slow-cooked meat that take up to 24 hours. If you want to avoid overcooking your dish, follow the given guidelines as closely as possible.
Does beef get more tender the longer you cook it in a slow cooker? ›
Your meat will be juicier and more tender
The longer cooking time and the low heat complement each other perfectly. As a result, even though the meat is cooked for far longer, it doesn't dry out because the temperature is low. As a result, this is the best way to retain all the natural juices of the meat.
Is it safe to cook raw meat in a crockpot? ›
Research conducted by USDA FSIS indicates it's safe to cook large cuts of meat and poultry in a slow cooker. Follow the manufacturer's recipes and safety guidelines. Start clean. Start with clean hands, utensils surfaces and a clean cooker.
Is it OK to cook ground beef in a pot? ›
Boiling ground beef is the best way to cook it so that it comes out in small, fine crumbles. Trust me, this is the secret to all those amazing tacos and pasta sauces at your favorite restaurant! It's also a healthier option, because the boiling process helps separate the fat from the meat, and it comes out quite lean.
What happens if you don't brown meat for chili? ›
A Case For Not Browning
You will also overcook your meat, which leads to tougher, pebblier end results. If you don't brown your meat, you'll end up with a rich, silky, tender texture. On the other hand, your flavor won't be as deep. And that's just the sad fact that we have to live with.
Can I put everything in the slow cooker raw? ›
For many dishes, particularly soups and stews, you really can just throw all the ingredients in. It can be nice to cook the onions beforehand, as the flavour is different to when you put them in raw, but experiment both ways as you may find you prefer one.
