Slow Cooker Beef Clifford

There’s something special about an old-fashioned slow cooker dinner that requires almost no effort but still delivers the kind of comforting flavor everyone remembers. This 3-ingredient beef Clifford is a simple, hearty recipe made with tender beef stew meat, onion soup mix, and cream of mushroom soup.

After several hours in the slow cooker, the beef becomes wonderfully tender while the soups combine into a rich, savory brown gravy. It’s an easy slow cooker beef recipe for Sunday dinner, busy weeknights, chilly evenings, or whenever you want a satisfying homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Serve this tender beef with gravy over creamy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or fluffy rice so you can soak up every drop of the delicious sauce.

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 7–8 hours on LOW or 4–5 hours on HIGH

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef stew meat
• 1 packet dry onion soup mix, about 1 ounce
• 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 10.5 ounces

Instructions

1. Lightly spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray for easier cleanup.
2. Place the beef stew meat in the bottom of the slow cooker and spread it into an even layer.
3. Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the beef.
4. Spoon the cream of mushroom soup over the top and stir until the beef is thoroughly coated.
5. Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the beef is tender and cooked through and the gravy is rich and hot.
6. Stir the beef and gravy well before serving.
7. Spoon over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice and serve immediately.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Beef Recipe

• Only 3 ingredients: A simple ingredient list makes this recipe incredibly convenient.
• Minimal preparation: Everything goes directly into the slow cooker.
• Tender and flavorful: Slow cooking helps transform beef stew meat into tender, juicy bites.
• Rich homemade-style gravy: Onion soup mix and cream of mushroom soup create a savory sauce without complicated preparation.
• Perfect for busy families: Start it in the morning and have dinner ready later.
• Budget-friendly comfort food: Affordable beef stew meat can feed the whole family.
• Great for Sunday dinner: Its hearty, old-fashioned flavor makes it ideal for a relaxed family meal.
• Easy to customize: Add vegetables or serve it over your favorite starch.

Variations and Helpful Tips

Make Extra Gravy

If you prefer plenty of gravy for mashed potatoes or noodles, add ½ cup water or low-sodium beef broth before cooking. This creates a thinner sauce and gives you more gravy for serving.

Add Vegetables

For a more complete meal, add baby carrots, sliced mushrooms, or pearl onions during cooking. The vegetables absorb the savory beef and gravy flavors beautifully.

Serve It Over Your Favorite Side

Mashed potatoes are a classic choice, but this slow cooker beef and gravy is also delicious over buttered egg noodles, white rice, biscuits, or toasted bread.

Make It Mushroom-Friendly

If your family doesn’t like noticeable mushroom pieces, use a smooth cream-of-mushroom soup or stir the soup thoroughly before adding it to the slow cooker.

Don’t Rush the Beef

For the most tender results, cook the beef until it easily breaks apart with a fork. Slow cooking on LOW is especially useful when you want very tender beef.

What to Serve With Beef Clifford

Pair this comforting beef with brown gravy with:

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Buttered egg noodles
• White or brown rice
• Green beans
• Glazed carrots
• Sweet corn
• Side salad
• Warm dinner rolls
• Homemade biscuits

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover beef and gravy in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. If the gravy becomes too thick after refrigeration, stir in a small splash of water or beef broth.