Slow Cooker Roast Beef

There’s nothing quite like a perfectly cooked roast beef – tender, juicy, and packed with flavour. If you’re looking for a fuss-free way to make a delicious Sunday roast, using a slow cooker is a game-changer. Slow cooking a topside beef joint keeps it beautifully moist, and the gentle cooking method allows the flavours to develop over time.

What You Need

For a printable recipe and more concise instructions please head to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Beef Joint

The best cut of beef for the slow cooker is topside, it is a lean cut, making it perfect for slow cooking. The slow cooker method ensures that the meat becomes tender without drying out. Adding a rich gravy made from the cooking juices elevates the dish to the next level, giving you a hearty, comforting meal.

I used a joint that weighed 2kg as I wanted some leftovers for another meal, but you can use a different size.

Vegetables

You can add some vegetables to the slow cooker to cook alongside the beef. I added some chopped carrots and onions. You could also add some celery, parsnips or any other vegetables you have to add to the flavour. The vegetables were placed at the bottom of the slow cooker and the beef joint rested on top of them.

The Gravy

I made up 500ml of stock from two beef stock pots and stirred in some Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, dried thyme and crushed fresh garlic. This was added with the beef at the beginning of the slow cooking time. At the end, after removing the beef to rest, I stirred in some beef gravy granules to thicken it up a little and left the slow cooker on low with the lid off while the beef rested before carving. You can also add cornflour instead of gravy granules (mix 2 tablespoons with a little bit of the liquid from the slow cooker and stir it before adding back in and stirring again).

Additional Ingredients

I also used two dried bay leaves and a little salt and pepper to season.

Making It

Step 1: Optional – Sear the Beef

Heat some olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Season the topside joint with salt and pepper, then sear it on all sides until browned. This step adds extra flavour but can be skipped if you’re short on time.

Step 2: Prepare the Slow Cooker

Place the sliced onions, carrots and any other vegetables in the bottom of the slow cooker.

Step 3: Add the Beef

Place the seared (or raw) topside joint on top of the vegetables.

Step 4: Make the Gravy Base

In a jug, mix the hot beef stock with Worcestershire sauce, mustard, dried thyme and crushed garlic. Pour this mixture over the beef joint. Add the dried bay leaves.

Step 5: Cook

Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and can be easily sliced. I prefer to cook it on low as the beef is more tender, but if I’m running a little late, 4 to 5 hours on high is fine.

Step 6: Rest the Beef

Once cooked, carefully remove the beef from the slow cooker and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Step 7: Make the Gravy

Remove the bay leaf and either mix in some beef gravy granules until it thickens up, or, mix 2 tablespoons of cornflour with a little of the liquid to make a slurry, then stir it into the gravy. Leave it in the slow cooker with the lid off and on high while the beef is resting. Alternatively you can simmer over a medium heat in a saucepan until thickened. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Step 8: Serve

Slice the beef and serve with the vegetables and thickened gravy. Pair with classic sides like roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, and fresh green vegetables.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Roast Beef

• Vegetables: Feel free to add more root vegetables, such as parsnips or potatoes, to cook alongside the beef.
• For Extra Flavour: Add a splash of red wine to the stock mixture for a richer gravy.
• Leftovers: Use any leftover beef for sandwiches, in a beef pie or in a chunky beef and vegetable soup.

I hope you enjoy this slow cooker roast beef recipe, let me know in the comments if you make it! If you want to try other joints in the slow cooker for your Sunday roast check out my slow cooker whole chicken, gammon joint, turkey crown or pork shoulder recipes.