21 Best Ground Beef Slow Cooker Recipes
The slow cooker can be a lifesaver when it comes to preparing hearty and satisfying home-cooked meals. Plan a rotation with the best ground beef slow cooker recipes that are sure to become regulars on your menu!
Slow cookers are commonly associated with chicken entrees but there are just as many delicious and easy-to-prep options when cooking with ground beef. Even better when you can plan multiple meals with bulk ingredients! The next time you add ground beef to your grocery cart, plan a few new recipes in the slow cooker!
Why I Love Using A Slow Cooker
I am clearly passionate about this kitchen appliance, but here are a few reasons I love using a slow cooker. (Hopefully you will too!)
- First, the slow cooker brings you freedom in your kitchen! Freedom to be hands-free for other tasks, freedom to step away from the stove in the middle of the dinner hustle, and freedom to plan ahead so you can be more present in the times you want to the most.
- Next, time is money and the slow cooker is economical in more ways than one! The slow cooker saves the time you’d otherwise be spending cooking over a stove or near an oven. It also saves you money by allowing you to cook in bulk and prep foods efficiently without needing to splurge on easy, convenience foods (if you don’t want to).
- The slow cooker is energy efficient! When you cook larger dishes in the slow cooker, often it consumes much less energy than the oven or stove would for the same amount of time.
In the go-go-go family routines these days, it is tempting (and necessary!) to find shortcuts for our meals. Sometimes these shortcuts lead to higher costs, or less healthy ingredients. With the slow cooker, prep ahead and ensure quality ingredients without all the usual additives in pre-cooked foods. Bonus – easy cleanup too!
Ground Beef In The Slow Cooker FAQs
Can you put raw ground beef in the slow cooker?
Across the web, you’ll find answers to this question that range from one end of a spectrum to another. The ultimate answer is yes, you can put raw ground beef in the slow cooker as it does reach a high enough temperature. However, take a few additional precautions – such as stirring to break up the meat, and ensuring that all of the meat has cooked evenly.
If you aren’t using an exceptionally lean variety of meat, you may also need to drain excess grease.
Can you cook frozen ground beef in a slow cooker?
Like chicken, you can cook frozen ground beef in a slow cooker. Again, keep a few things in mind: cooking time will need to be adjusted and remember to stir more frequently to keep the meat cooking at an even rate. With additional stirring, heat will escape from the open lid (also lengthening cook time).
Lastly, be sure the meat has been cooked thoroughly by using a meat thermometer.
Why brown ground beef before putting in the slow cooker?
Just because you can cook raw ground beef in the slow cooker, doesn’t always mean that it is best! I highly recommend taking time to brown ground beef before putting it in the slow cooker because of the benefits of flavor and texture. You can do this with a multi-cooker or with any skillet on the stove.
When you brown any meat, you seal in flavor from the outer edges, keeping more of the juices inside. This produces a better overall taste. Browning ground beef also produces a better texture (less soft and less “clumped” together), and allows the opportunity to drain excess grease. You will also get a more visually appealing dish by browning first!
21 Best Ground Beef Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow Cooker Main Dishes
Each of these ground beef slow cooker recipes will leave you feeling the comforts of a home-cooked meal. Try a classic ground beef recipe or a new dish with the simplicity of the slow cooker.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1/2 onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon herb and garlic seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 green bell pepper finely chopped
- 2 oz sweet yellow onion finely chopped
- 4 oz mushrooms finely chopped
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 oz Italian cheese blend shredded
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 pound lean ground pork
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 2 tablespoons diced shallots
- 1 teaspoon BBQ seasoning
- 1 cup BBQ sauce homemade or bottled
- 1/2 cup blueberry preserves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil optional
Ingredients
- 1 pounds ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 2 teaspoons jarred minced garlic
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
- 2 cups tomato basil pasta sauce
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 15 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon herb and garlic seasoning
- 6 oz pasta noodles
Ingredients
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 pound lean ground beef (at least 93% lean)
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning blend
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 4 cups spaghetti sauce
- 10 oz spaghetti noodles uncooked
- 1/2 cup hot water
- Parmesan cheese for serving optional
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 pound ground sirloin
- 48 oz whole peeled tomatoes (2 large cans)
- 14 oz crushed tomatoes (1 can)
- 2 carrots, peeled
- 2 celery stalks
- 1/2 yellow onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup wine
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Pinch nutmeg
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (for later)
- Fresh basil (for serving)
- Grated Parmesan (for serving)
- 16 oz pasta (for serving)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey 93% lean
- 1/4 cup panko
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon herb and garlic seasoning
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Brown sugar
Slow Cooker Soups
Some of the best ground beef recipes are slow cooker soups. From the obvious favorite, like a simmering chili, to a fun and tasty twist like a cheeseburger soup, you are bound to find a hearty meal that the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning or high quality store bought
- 14.5 oz fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 2.5 cups milk
- 8 oz freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese or mild if preferred, plus more for topping if desired (see note)
- Crushed tortilla chips optional for garnish
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups beef broth
- 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
- 1 teaspoon herb and garlic seasoning (or Italian seasoning)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 oz shell pasta uncooked
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 12 oz enchilada sauce
- 2 cups beef broth
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes drained
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Crushed tortilla chips optional
Ingredients
- For the meatballs:
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup quick cook rolled oats
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian season blend I used McCormick’s Tucscan Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the soup:
- 24 oz pasta sauce or 3 cups
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3-4 oz dried spaghetti noodles broken into 1 or 2 inch pieces for later
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup flour regular or gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 2 teaspoons burger seasoning
- 8 oz shredded Colby jack cheese
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 cup half and half
- 1 package frozen tater tots crowns or regular
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 cans fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon roasted garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup beer
- 1 teaspoon cilantro
- 1 tablespoon chocolate powder
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, 93% lean
- 1 15oz can fat free refried beans
- 2 14.5oz cans diced tomatoes
- 1 – 2 cups beef broth (depending on how thick you prefer it)
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 4 oz can diced green chilis
- 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
- 2 tablespoons homemade ranch seasoning
Slow Cooker Casseroles
One of the best things about slow cooker casseroles is all the flavor that you get with the combination of layered or mixed ingredients! These one-pot ground beef dishes make the simplest meals to serve and save for leftovers.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 head cabbage
- 2 large carrots
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 24 oz tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 6 slices of precooked bacon
- 1 sweet onion
- 1 green bell pepper
- 2 15 oz cans pinto beans drained
- 2 15 oz Great Northern beans drained
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons instant coffee powder
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 15 oz canned black beans drained and rinsed
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 4 oz whipped cream cheese
- 16 oz pasta noodles
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- pinch of red pepper flakes
- 12 oz shredded frozen hash brown potatoes
- 4 – 6 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons herb and garlic seasoning or a favorite seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups frozen mixed veggies
- 24 ounces frozen tater tots
- 4 oz shredded cheese
Ingredients
- 1 pound hamburger
- 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning or you can use 1 package taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
- 8 oz oven ready lasagna noodles
- 4 soft taco flour tortillas
- 16 oz fresh salsa
- 15.5 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
- 2 cups frozen corn
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheese blend
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef 93% lean
- 2 jalapeno peppers seeded and diced
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 8 taco sized flour tortillas or 4 large burrito sized
- 3 cups enchilada sauce
- 8 oz shredded cheese blend
While I enjoyed reading your various recipes, I couldn’t quite understand why you had “Turkey Meatloaf” mixed in which isn’t ground meat based or if it is, I failed to see a listing for ground meat within the recipe.
Thanks again for the suggestions.