ByDonna Elick
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Learn how to cookground beef in the crock potfor easy meal prep. Add a few seasonings, and hours later you will have tender, flavorful slow cooker ground beef! This is one of those slow cooker recipes that is a simple way to cook a pound of ground beef.
This is a great recipe with minimal effort. It’s my favorite way to cook several pounds of ground beef so that I have extra for family dinner throughout the week.
You can easily cook a big batch of ground beef the first time, and use it for so many new recipes!
When it comes to cooking found meats, this slow cooker beef is one of my favorites!
Ground Beef in Crock Pot
Save time in the kitchen by making big batches of this slow cooker hamburger recipe to include in future meals!
Just stir together the spices and ground beef in the crock pot, then wait until it’s done!
I also recommend stirring everything occasionally, but make sure the lid isn’t off for too long. Once it’s done, drain off any excess fat and portion out as needed.
Use leftover slow cooker ground beef for thishearty chili recipeor adjust the seasonings to makeMaid Rites, a type of loose meat sandwich.
You’ll also find plenty more ground beef recipes at the bottom of the post!
Tips for Cooking Ground Beef in Crock Pot
- Prevent dry meat.If you’re using a leaner blend such as 93%, add about ½ cup of water for moisture.
- Adjust amounts as needed.You can make up to 5 pounds at a time, but the more you make, the longer it will take to cook.
For smaller batches, use a 2 quart crockpot so it can come to temperature quickly.
- Change up the spices.If you make a lot ofMexican recipes, make ground beef in the crock pot withtaco seasoninginstead!
Or, divide the meat once cooked and season each batch based on how you’ll be using it.
- Like to meal prep?Set aside some free time to makeshredded chickenas well!
Slow Cooker Ground Beef FAQ
Why do you need to brown meat before slow cooking?
Typically, beef or pork can turn out dry or not as tender if they aren’t browned first. However, this applies more to roasts or whole cuts of meat.
While you can certainly brown it partially on the stove first, that defeats the purpose of cooking ground beef in the crock pot!
Why is my crock pot ground beef tough?
Leaner blends require more moisture, so make sure to add enough liquid. Water is fine, butbeef stockcan add extra flavor. Plus, it contains collagen which will keep everything tender.
If you’re using a fattier blend, it will do better on the Low setting for a longer period of time.
Also, make sure you’re using the appropriate size appliance. Small amounts in a larger sized pot will be done faster and tend to come out dry.
Can you overcook beef in a slow cooker?
Absolutely, which is why you should always adjust times and amounts as needed. Smaller amounts of slow cooker hamburger only need a few hours before they are done.
Don’t I need oil to cook ground beef?
Only if you are using a pan that isn’t non-stick and browning it on the stove.
When cooking ground beef in the crock pot, moisture builds up in the pot and combines with the natural fats that are released so there is no need to use any oil.
How do I freeze cooked lean ground beef?
The next time that you cook ground meats in a batch, freeze it for freezer meals. It’s an easy way to prepare and one of my favorite prep-ahead tips. Once the meat mixture cools a bit to room temperature, store it in a freezer-safe container.
This way, you can use it for a delicious dinner in the future like a hamburger stew, to add to spaghetti sauce, and it make a hearty meal with other simple ingredients. Dice up a few bell peppers and top with sour cream. I promise you that anyway is a great way to enjoy ground beef crockpot recipes!
Cooked beef can be stored in freezer-safe containers and still retain so much flavor. Once you brown ground beef, just know that storing it for freezer cooking is always an option!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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More Easy Ground Beef Recipes
How To Cook Ground Beef in A Crock Pot (Make Ahead)
Donna Elick
Learn how to cook ground beef in the crock pot for easy meal prep. Add a few seasonings, then let your countertop appliance do all the work!
5 stars from 2 reviews
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Course Main
Cuisine American
Method Slow Cooker
Servings 8
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef, I use 85% lean
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
Combine ingredients in a crock pot. Stir and combine. Cook on high 2-3 hours or low 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally. Drain if necessary.
Divide into portions, place in freezer safe resealable zip top bags. Freeze for several months.
Donna’s Notes
Cook up to 5 pounds at a time, adjust cooking time as necessary. I divide in half and freeze in 1 pound (pre-cook weight) portions, as that is the most common amount in the recipes I use.
I cook 2 pounds in a 2 quart crockpot.
If you are cooking super lean ground beef such as 93%, you will want to add 1/2 cup water so that it doesn’t dry out.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 246cal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 366mg | Sugar: 1g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 2mg
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Originally published March 2015, updated and republished March 2024
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
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