Easy Crockpot Ground Beef Dinner Recipe (Slow Cooker Recipe)

Crockpot Ground Beef Dinner is cooked low and slow in a crockpot, making it a simple meal with a savory tomato and beef broth sauce. The hands-off cooking time makes it worth adding to your weekly meal plan. As it simmers, the kitchen fills with the warm smell of garlic, onion, and Worcestershire sauce. I make this on busy days when I want a hot dinner ready without much work at the end of the day.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Ground Beef Dinner

• Simple ingredients: Ground beef, canned tomatoes, broth, and a few pantry staples make up the base.
• Hands-off cooking: After the beef and onion are browned, the crockpot does most of the work.
• Flexible vegetables: Add carrots, bell peppers, or other vegetables you have on hand.
• Savory sauce: Beef broth, tomatoes, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce create a rich base for the ground beef.
• Easy family meal: This recipe makes a warm, filling dinner that is easy to serve straight from the crockpot.

How to Make Crockpot Ground Beef Dinner

Start by browning the ground beef and diced onion in a skillet over medium heat, then drain any excess fat. Move the beef mixture to the crockpot and add the garlic, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, optional vegetables, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together, cover, and cook until hot and tender. Use the low setting for a longer cooking time or the high setting when you need dinner sooner.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 cup vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, etc.)

Directions

1. In a skillet, brown the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat.
2. Drain the excess fat from the skillet.
3. Transfer the beef mixture to the crockpot.
4. Add the minced garlic, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and any optional vegetables.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Stir to combine the ingredients.
7. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
8. Serve hot.

How to Serve Crockpot Ground Beef Dinner

Serve Crockpot Ground Beef Dinner in bowls with warm bread, dinner rolls, or crackers for spooning up the tomato and beef broth sauce. It also goes well with rice, mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad.

For a lighter plate, add steamed vegetables or roasted vegetables on the side. A cold glass of iced tea, sparkling water, or milk makes an easy drink pairing. This slow cooker meal works well for a weeknight dinner because you can serve it directly from the crockpot while it is hot.

How to Store Crockpot Ground Beef Dinner

Let leftovers cool, then place them in a covered container and refrigerate them. Eat refrigerated leftovers within 3 to 4 days. Store the beef mixture in smaller containers if you want it to cool and reheat more easily.

You can also freeze this dish if you have extra. Place cooled portions in freezer-safe containers, leaving a little room for expansion. Thaw frozen leftovers in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot, stirring as needed.

Tips for Making Crockpot Ground Beef Dinner

• Brown the ground beef and onion before adding them to the crockpot. This gives the beef a cooked, savory base and lets you drain excess fat first.
• Drain the skillet well if the ground beef releases a lot of fat. Too much extra fat can make the finished dish greasy.
• Mince the garlic before adding it so it spreads through the tomato and broth mixture.
• Cut optional carrots or bell peppers into small, even pieces so they cook more evenly.
• Stir the ingredients well before covering the crockpot. This helps distribute the Worcestershire sauce, seasonings, tomatoes, and vegetables.
• Taste the dish before serving and add more salt or pepper if needed.

Variations

• Ingredient swap: Use a different type of ground meat instead of ground beef if you prefer. Keep the rest of the ingredients the same.
• Add-in: Include 1 cup of optional vegetables, such as carrots or bell peppers, for extra texture and color.
• Different cooking method: Cook the mixture in a covered pot on the stovetop instead of using a slow cooker, but the cooking time is not provided in this recipe, so check it often until hot and fully cooked.

FAQs

Can I Make Crockpot Ground Beef Dinner Without Browning the Beef First?

Browning the beef and onion first is the method written for this recipe. It also lets you drain excess fat before the mixture goes into the crockpot, so follow that step for the planned result.

Can I Add Frozen Vegetables?

The recipe allows 1 cup of vegetables, including carrots and bell peppers. For the most even texture, use vegetables cut into similar-sized pieces and add them with the other crockpot ingredients.

Can I Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time?

Yes, you can brown the ground beef and onion ahead of time, drain the fat, and refrigerate the mixture in a covered container. When you are ready to cook, transfer it to the crockpot and add the remaining ingredients.

Can I Freeze Crockpot Ground Beef Dinner?

Yes, the cooked dish can be frozen in freezer-safe containers. Thaw it in the refrigerator, then reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot.

How Do I Know When The Dinner Is Done?

Follow the listed cooking times: 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. The dish should be hot throughout, with the ingredients combined and the vegetables tender if you added them.

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