Slow Cooker Beef and Stuffing
If you’re looking for an easy comfort food dinner that practically cooks itself, this 4-ingredient slow cooker beef and stuffing is a perfect choice. Tender beef, savory stuffing, creamy mushroom gravy, and beef broth come together in the crockpot for a hearty meal with very little prep.
This cozy slow cooker beef recipe is especially good for busy fall and winter evenings. Add everything to the crockpot in the morning, let it cook slowly throughout the day, and come home to a warm dinner with tender beef and rich, flavorful gravy.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Beef Recipe
- Only 4 ingredients: Simple pantry-friendly ingredients make this an easy weeknight dinner.
- Minimal preparation: There’s no complicated cooking or multiple pans to wash.
- Tender, flavorful beef: Slow cooking helps beef become fork-tender and juicy.
- Cozy comfort food: Beef, stuffing, and creamy gravy make a satisfying family meal.
- Great for busy days: The slow cooker does most of the work while you handle other things.
- Easy to customize: Add vegetables or switch the cream soup to create a slightly different version.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat or chuck roast, cut into large pieces
- 1 box (6 ounces) savory stuffing mix
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup beef broth
How to Make Slow Cooker Beef and Stuffing
1. Add the beef
Place the beef stew meat in the bottom of your slow cooker and spread it into an even layer.
2. Make the creamy gravy
In a bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and beef broth until smooth. Pour the mixture evenly over the beef.
3. Add the stuffing
Sprinkle the dry stuffing mix evenly over the top. Do not stir. Keeping the stuffing on top allows it to gradually absorb the flavorful liquid as everything cooks.
4. Slow cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the beef is tender and easily pulls apart.
5. Stir and serve
Gently stir the beef, stuffing, and creamy gravy together just before serving. Spoon onto plates while hot and serve with your favorite vegetable.
Best Beef for This Crockpot Recipe
Beef stew meat is convenient because it is already cut into pieces and works especially well for slow cooking. Chuck roast is another excellent option because it becomes exceptionally tender after several hours in the crockpot.
If using chuck roast, cut it into large chunks before cooking. You can also shred the cooked beef with two forks before serving for an extra-cozy texture.
Easy Variations
Add vegetables
Turn this into a more complete one-pot dinner by adding sliced mushrooms, chopped onions, or baby carrots beneath the beef.
Try another cream soup
Cream of celery or cream of onion soup can replace cream of mushroom soup if you prefer a different flavor.
Add extra seasoning
For more flavor, add a little garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, or black pepper to the beef before adding the gravy mixture.
Make it extra hearty
Serve the beef and stuffing with mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, green beans, steamed broccoli, or a crisp side salad.
Important Slow Cooker Tip
Avoid stirring the stuffing into the beef before cooking. The stuffing needs time to absorb the liquid gradually. Mixing everything together at the beginning can make the stuffing softer and more mushy than desired.
What to Serve With Beef and Stuffing
This hearty crockpot meal pairs beautifully with simple sides such as:
- Steamed green beans
- Roasted carrots
- Broccoli
- Garden salad
- Mashed potatoes
- Buttered egg noodles
- Warm dinner rolls
A simple green vegetable is especially nice because it adds freshness to the rich beef and creamy gravy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chuck roast instead of stew meat?
Yes. Chuck roast works very well in this recipe. Cut it into large chunks before adding it to the slow cooker, or shred it after cooking.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Yes. You can measure the ingredients and prepare the soup-and-broth mixture ahead of time. Keep the beef refrigerated until you are ready to start cooking.
Can I use a different cream soup?
Absolutely. Cream of celery and cream of onion are good substitutes for cream of mushroom soup.
Can I cook this on HIGH?
Yes. Cook on HIGH for approximately 4–5 hours, or until the beef is tender.
How do I store leftovers?
Allow leftovers to cool, then refrigerate them in an airtight container. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
