Easy Slow-Cooker Beef Recipes To Serve From Tailgate To Dinner Party

Zesty Pot Roast
Photo: Photo: Hector Sanchez

When in doubt, take the slow cooker out. That's the motto we've been following for decades, whether for busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, holiday gatherings, or dinner parties. No one will walk away from the dinner table hungry with our favorite slow-cooker beef recipes. With family-friendly classics like pot roast, chili, brisket, and Bolognese, the dinner opportunities are endless with these hearty slow-cooker beef recipes.

The kids are going to love recipes like Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos, Slow-Cooker Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce, and Slow-Cooker Spaghetti Casserole. There are also plenty of slow-cooker beef recipes that can be dressed up for company. Our Slow-Cooker Ginger, Sweet Tea, and Whiskey Short Ribs, Beer-Braised Beef Tips, and Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce are all perfect for hands-off hosting. Need a recipe for the tailgate? Our Slow-Cooker Beef Sliders with Pickled Peppers, Beef-and-Bean Chili, and BBQ Brisket are ready to be put in the game.

01 of 29

Slow Cooker Tomato-Basil Meatloaf

Slow Cooker Tomato-Basil Meatloaf
Photo: Victor Protasio

Meatloaf is forever the most reliable dinner recipe in our tin, and the slow cooker makes it easier than ever. We love this new take on an old favorite with Parmesan, fresh basil and sundried tomatoes added into the mix.

02 of 29

Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
Photo: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton

It doesn't get more classic than a slow-cooker pot roast when you're in the need of supper for a crowd. By cutting your carrots and other veggies diagonally, there is a level of refinement to this cozy classic that makes it beautiful to plate.

03 of 29

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

slow cooker salisbury steaks
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Cooking this classic supper in a flavorful gravy makes sure it doesn't dry out before serving. Serve it up with mashed potatoes, and no one will leave your table hungry.

04 of 29

BBQ Brisket

BBQ Brisket
Hector Manuel Sanchez

With a handful of ingredients that might already be in your pantry, you can serve pitmaster-worthy brisket. Just cook until it's tender, about 8 hours, and you'll have something quite special on your hands.

05 of 29

Slow-Cooker Short Ribs with Pork Rind Gremolata

Slow-Cooker Short Ribs with Pork Rind Gremolata
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

This dinner will impress guests without requiring you to spend an entire day in the kitchen. Serve with grits and crumbled pork rinds for a dinner no one will soon forget.

06 of 29

Beer-Braised Pot Roast

Beer-Braised Pot Roast
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Sunday supper and potroast go hand-in-hand, and this classic couldn't be easier thanks to your slow cooker. Dark stout beer gives this dish a rich, deep flavor.

07 of 29

Slow-Cooker Carne Guisada

Slow-Cooker Carne Guisada
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Guisada means "stewed" in Spanish, and this recipe is a delicious way to showcase the rich flavors of a beef chuck roast. While some cooking will happen in a skillet, slow cooking allows the beef to tenderize and fully marinate in the spicy gravy.

08 of 29

Peppered Beef Soup

Peppered Beef Soup
Jennifer Davick

Is there anything cozier on a cold winter night than a bowl of beef soup? Actually, yes! Beef soup that's served in a toasted bread bowl.

09 of 29

Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce over Pappardelle Pasta

Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce over Pappardelle Pasta
Photo: Greg Dupree

Picky eaters? They'll enjoy every last bite of this decadent homemade pasta sauce over their favorite shape of pasta.

10 of 29

Slow-Cooker Ginger, Sweet Tea, and Whiskey Short Ribs

Slow-Cooker Ginger, Sweet Tea, and Whiskey Short Ribs
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Sweet tea and fresh ginger give this dinner party-worthy dish one-of-a-kind flavor. This bright sauce is the perfect balancing act with hearty short ribs.

11 of 29

Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos

Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos
Laurey W. Glenn

Sometimes you need more than just a Hail Mary to get your food ready for game day. Prep for the tailgate in advance with these easy nachos that will score major points with your crowd.

12 of 29

Julie Yoste's Mississippi Roast

Julie Yoste's Mississippi Roast
Alison Miksch

Sometimes you need a recipe with a few ingredients that you can cook low and slow. The Mississippi Roast is one of Pinterest's most popular recipes, and after one bite, you'll see why.

13 of 29

Slow Cooker Goulash

Slow Cooker Goulash
Jennifer Causey

Warm your soul with a hearty serving of homemade Goulash. A tip from the Test Kitchen for the dreamiest sauce: Choose a roast with good marbling throughout.

14 of 29

Beef-and-Bean Chili

Beef-and-Bean Chili
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

There's nothing like a slight chill in the air to remind you that it's chili season. This recipe is not for the faint-of-heart with chunks of stew meat as well as ground beef packed into every bite.

15 of 29

Beer-Braised Beef Tips with Root Vegetables and Horseradish

Beer-Braised Beef Tips with Root Vegetables and Horseradish
Victor Protasio

This is a stick-to-your ribs dinner that your guests will not soon forget. Horseradish adds a welcome zing to your old-school pot roast in this recipe.

16 of 29

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce
Hector Manuel Sanchez

This recipe calls for a mix of ground beef and ground pork to make flavorful meatballs that are kid-friendly and tailgate-ready. The slow-simmered sauce is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

17 of 29

Four-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Four-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
Melina Hammer

This simple pot roast recipe can be served in a variety of ways, whether over veggies and potatoes or between sandwich buns. You can easily dress it up or dress it down, just like a good pair of jeans.

18 of 29

Slow-Cooked Cowboy Brisket and Beans

Slow-Cooked Cowboy Brisket and Beans
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Whether for a summer cookout or a fall tailgate, this BBQ recipe won't disappoint. A side of Texas Toast with this dinner makes us say YEEHAW!

19 of 29

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
Antonis Achilleos

This New England-inspired recipe is comfort food at its finest. This is a simple dish you can love wherever you live.

20 of 29

Spaghetti Casserole

Spaghetti Casserole
Jennifer Davick

Pasta night is already easy, but we went ahead and simplified it even more by turning it into a slow-cooker casserole the kids will love. For speedy preparation, we rely on store-bought sauce and canned tomatoes, but we doubt anyone will know the difference.

21 of 29

Beef Bourguignon

Beef Bourguignon
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Julia Child love this dish for a reason, and we've made it even simpler for you. This rich recipe is fall-apart tender thanks to hours in the slow cooker.

22 of 29

Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce

Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Whether for a holiday gathering, a dinner party with friends, or a Sunday supper with the grandparents, Bolognese is always a good choice. This recipe makes 12 generous portions, so you will be hard pressed not to have some delicious leftovers, too!

23 of 29

Best Slow-Cooker Chili

Big Batch Chili
Lee Harrelson

We're not exaggerating when we say this is the Best Slow-Cooker Chili. Be sure to invite company over to share—this recipe was made to feed a hungry crowd.

24 of 29

Slow-Cooker Sloppy Joes

Slow-Cooker Sloppy Joes

When you're having a crazy week and can't have the broccoli fight with the kids, whip up easy slow-cooker Sloppy Joes for a happy dinner table. From tailgates to weeknights, this recipe is always a welcome surprise.

25 of 29

Zesty Pot Roast

Zesty Pot Roast
Photo: Hector Sanchez

The secret ingredient to this flavorful pot roast? A hint of lime.

26 of 29

Slow-Cooker Brisket Chili

Slow-Cooker Brisket Chili
Hector M. Sanchez

This is truly a dump-it-and-forget-it recipe for your most relaxing Sunday yet. From the black beans to the brisket for the spices, every bite is perfectly flavorful.

27 of 29

Slow-Cooker Beef Sliders with Pickled Peppers

Slow-Cooker Beef Sliders with Pickled Peppers
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Pickled peppers add just the right amount of tang to tender, savory beef. Make this the night before the big game, so you can focus on the cheering for your team rather than preparing a meal.

28 of 29

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches
Southern Living

Here's your new go-to barbecue recipe for tailgates, cookouts, and parties. Just add a side of fresh coleslaw and your favorite chips.

29 of 29

Red Bean Chili

Ground Beef Recipes: Red Bean Chili
Southern Living

With just six ingredients, this has to be the easiest chili recipe you'll ever make. You can also cook it in your Dutch oven if you prefer.

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