Make an amazing roast beef with gravy with our slow cooker beef joint recipe that's as easy to prepare as it is tasty.
We're big fans of slow cooking, and for good reason. It's a method that allows the ingredients to meld together over several hours, resulting in deep, rich flavours. Plus, it’s incredibly easy and convenient—just set it up and let it slow cook.
After several hours of cooking beef in the slow cooker, you'll be rewarded with a Sunday roast beef dinner that's perfectly cooked and ready to carve into tender slices with a delicious gravy.
The aroma will be irresistible, and the taste—well, let's say it's worth every minute of the wait.
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So, why not give this slow cooker beef joint recipe a try? It's a comforting, delicious dish perfect for a relaxed Sunday meal.
How to Cook Beef Joint in the Slow Cooker
It's a great way to showcase the beauty of slow cooking and the incredible flavours you can achieve with just a few simple ingredients and little effort.
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Slow Cooker Beef Joint (Roast Beef with Gravy)
Ingredients
- 2.3 Kg Beef Roasting Joint - Topside, Top Rump or Silverside
- 2 Carrots
- 1 Onions
- Salt and Black Pepper
- 3 Garlic Cloves
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 200 ml Red Wine (optional)
- 500 ml Beef Stock
Gravy makes 1 litre of gravy
- Leftover cooking juices from slow cooker pot
- 3 tablespoon Cornflour
- 3 tablespoon Water
Instructions
- Remove 2.3 Kg Beef Roasting Joint from the fridge and bring to room temperature. This will take approximatly 1 hour. Remove the beef joint from the packaging. Keep the netting on.
- Pat dry the beef joint of excess moisture.
- Cut up 2 Carrots and 1 Onions
- Place the vegetables in the base of the slow cooker and add 3 Garlic Cloves
- Add Salt and Black Pepper all over the room-temperature beef joint.
- Add 1 tablespoon Olive Oil to a large pan.
- Add the beef and sear on all sides.
- Place the seared beef joint on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Deglaze the pan with 200 ml Red Wine (optional), scraping off meat sediments for added flavour. Bring to a boil.
- Add 500 ml Beef Stock and bring to the boil.
- Pour into the slow cooker pot around the side, not on top of the beef.
- Place lid on - Cook on low for the following time:1kg- 2kg - 6 hours2kg - 3kg - 8 hours 3kg - 4kg - 10 hours
- Remove the cooked beef joint from the slow cooker.
- Rest, covered loosely with foil, for at least 30 minutes.
Gravy
- Pour the Leftover cooking juices from slow cooker pot and vegetables through a sieve into a large pan. Put on high heat bring to a boil.
- Mix 3 tablespoon Cornflour and 3 tablespoon Water in a small bowl to a smooth paste.Whisk into the pan to thicken the juices into a gravy.
- Allow to boil, then reduce to a simmer. Transfer to a jug for serving.
Serving
- Once the beef has rested. Slice the beef.
- Serve with side dishes and plenty of gravy!
Video
Nutrition
This slow cooker beef joint recipe was originally posted on 23rd November 2023 and was updated on 26th February 2025. To move the recipe card higher in the post for better user experience.
Read below for more detailed advice on ingredients, cooking times and serving suggestions.
Ingredients
Let's review the ingredients for this slow cooker roast beef recipe. We will also offer suitable substitutes. Measurements are found in the recipe card.
Beef Joint
Now, let's talk about our star ingredient, the beef joint. In the supermarket, you are looking for a beef roasting joint for this slow cooker beef joint.
The best cut of beef options are topside beef, top rump or silverside, which are excellent cuts for slow cooking over low heat.
They're lean and full of flavour, and when cooked slowly, they become incredibly tender and juicy.
We have another recipe for slow cooker beef brisket. This type of beef joint is treated differently than this recipe.
Root Vegetables
Carrots and Onions add a beautiful, sweet, earthy flavor to the roast beef gravy. They offer a savoury depth that forms the base flavour of your dish.
The carrots and onions also act as a trivet to keep the beef off the bottom of the slow cooker pot.
Feel free to use other root vegetables instead.
Salt and Black Pepper
Salt and freshly ground black pepper are crucial for enhancing the flavour of your ingredients. It makes the beef more savoury and boosts the flavours of the other ingredients.
Garlic
Garlic is another flavour builder. It gives the dish a pungent, warming taste that complements the beef perfectly. Garlic powder can be used instead.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is used to brown the beef before slow cooking. This process helps seal in the juices, resulting in a tender and flavorful beef joint and helps give the slow cooker roast beef joint a nice roast beef colour.
Beef Stock
Beef stock (beef broth) is the secret to achieving an intensely savoury, meaty gravy. It also provides the necessary liquid for slow cooker roast beef, ensuring your beef joint turns out juicy and tender.
We like to use a stock pot for extra richness, but cubes can be used instead.
Chicken or vegetable stock can be used as a substitute. Alternatively, just water can be used if you have gravy granules to add to the liquid after the beef has cooked.
Red Wine (optional)
Red wine can add a robust, complex flavour that complements the beef joint and makes a delicious red wine gravy. If you prefer not to cook with alcohol, you can substitute this with extra beef stock.
Cornflour
Cornflour plays a crucial role in our recipe—it's our secret to creating a rich, velvety gravy from the cooking juices and leftover stock.
You'll first need to make a cornstarch slurry as a thickening agent. This is a simple mixture of equal parts cornflour and water. Stir it until smooth and add it to your hot, simmering cooking juices.
Equipment
Next, we will discuss what equipment you need for this recipe.
Slow Cooker
A slow cooker, also known as a crock pot, is a must for this slow cooker beef roast recipe. The beef joint cooks slowly over several hours, resulting in tender, flavorful meat.
Slow cookers come in various sizes. Make sure to check your beef joint will fit comfortably in it.
Large Pan
A large pan is essential for searing the beef joint before it goes into the slow cooker bowl. This step helps to lock in the juices and gives the meat a beautiful brown crust.
Look for a pan with a heavy bottom for even heat distribution, which will help you achieve a nice, even sear on your beef.
Large Tongs
Large tongs are a handy tool for turning the beef joint while you're searing it. They provide a good grip, allowing you to handle the meat safely and easily.
Whisk
You'll need a whisk to make the best gravy. It helps to mix the cornflour into the cooking juices smoothly, preventing lumps.
Gravy Boat
Finally, a gravy boat is needed for serving the homemade gravy. It's not just about aesthetics—a gravy boat comes with a spout that makes pouring easy and mess-free.
Instructions
We will guide you through making a mouthwatering slow cooker beef joint that's so simple and foolproof that it might just become your new family favourite.
Jump to the recipe to get started now.Preparation
Bring the beef joint to room temperature
Season it generously with salt and black pepper.
Next, we need to prep our veggies. Peel your carrots and onions, then chop them into large chunks.
Sear the beef on all sides. Transfer into the slow cooker pan.
Pour red wine into the pan and scrap all the meat sediments off.
Add stock and bring to a boil.
Pour the red wine stock into the slow cooker pot.
Ready to cook.
Cooking Time
Pop the lid on, set your slow cooker to low and let it do its thing for the following times, depending on the size of the beef joint.
| Beef Joint Size | Cooking Time on Low |
|---|---|
| 1kg - 2kg | 6 hours |
| 2kg - 3kg | 8 hours |
| 3kg - 4kg | 10 hours |
We do not recommend adjusting this recipe for high settings. The waiting is the hardest part, but trust us—it's worth it! Cooking on high will lead to dry tough meat.
Rest
Remove the slow cooker beef joint.
Wrap loosely with foil. Rest for at least 30 minutes before carving.
Gravy
Once the beef joint is cooked, pour the remaining cooking liquid into a large frying pan.
Mix a spoonful of cornflour with a little water to make a smooth paste, whisk this cornflour slurry into your cooking juices.
Bring to a boil, then simmer until you get a deliciously thick and rich gravy. Pour it into your gravy boat, ready for serving.
Carve
Carefully carve the roast beef, surround it with all the trimmings, and serve it proudly with your homemade gravy.
And just like that, you've made a fabulous Sunday lunch of slow cooker roast beef joint! We hope you enjoy this easy, hearty meal as much as we do.
Serving Suggestions
This slow cooker beef joint is a delight on its own, but with the right accompaniments, it can be transformed into a fantastic Sunday Roast Dinner the whole family will enjoy.
Yorkshire puddings, cauliflower cheese and roast potatoes are classic British sides for your beef joint.
For added variety, consider honey roast parsnips for a sweet touch, some herby stuffing balls, cauliflower and broccoli cheese for a creamy indulgence, mash and simple peas and carrots for a vibrant colour pop, all customizable to your taste in the versatile world of roasts.
So feel free to get creative and enjoy your slow cooker beef joint with your favourite accompaniments!
Storage
The best way to store the leftovers of your Slow Cooker Roast Beef
To enjoy the leftover roast beef at its best, it's crucial to store it correctly. Start by slicing the joint while it's still warm; this will make the process easier and yield more flavorful results.
Once sliced, allow the beef to cool down completely. Then, transfer the slices into an airtight container and pour over any remaining gravy to keep the meat moist.
Store the container in the fridge, it will keep for 3-4 days. Alternatively, for longer storage, you can freeze the beef.
Freezing
Put the airtight container in the freezer, roast beef will freeze for up to 3 months. Remember to thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheat Advice
When it's time to reheat, the gentlest way is to pour the leftover gravy on it and reheat in the oven or microwave. This prevents the beef from drying out. Now you're ready to enjoy your slow cooker roast beef joint all over again!
More Beef Recipes
If you love beef, we have more recipes for you!
Joe H says
Followed the recipe. The joint was 2.6 kilo Angus matured.
Cooked for 7.45 hours. Let it rest for 45 minutes but crumpled into mince when I try to cut apart from the central section.
Used your recipes in the past successfully.
The only thing I can think of is the joint was an elongated joint rather then a thick joint
Luke and Kay says
Hi Joe, thanks for your feedback and for continuing to try our recipes – we really appreciate it! That does sound like the joint became extra tender after that long cook time. The shape of the joint can definitely make a difference — thinner, more elongated cuts can break down faster than thicker ones. It sounds like it was right on the edge of pulling apart like shredded beef! If you give it another go, you could try reducing the cooking time slightly, especially with a leaner or longer cut.
Gordon says
Absolutely delicious! We have just sliced our slow cooked beef ready for Christmas Day tomorrow and it’s fantastic (had to try a bit of course).
Many thanks.
Luke and Kay says
Thank you, Gordan! We're so glad you enjoyed the slow cooker beef joint – it sounds like it's going to be a fantastic addition to your Christmas Day feast. And of course, who could resist a little taste test? 😉 Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas!
David Johnson says
Second time and again perfectly cooked beef,which I’ve always struggled with. On both occasions I’ve cooked a 1.8kg joint on high for 2 hr then low for 2.5hr,perfectly cooked.
Luke and Kay says
Hi David, thank you so much for the comment. It’s great to hear the recipe worked perfectly for you again!
That sounds like a lovely sized joint, and your timing of 2 hours on high followed by 2½ hours on low clearly worked a treat. Slow cookers can sometimes feel a bit unpredictable with beef, so it’s always nice when you find a method that gives consistently tender results.
Really appreciate you sharing your timings too, it’s so helpful for other readers trying the recipe. Glad it helped take the struggle out of cooking beef! 😊
Helen says
Hi, I posted that I was cooking your slow cooker beef yesterday. Well what can I say it was absolutely delicious!!!! So was the gravy I made from it!!! All the family enjoyed it. There was quite a bit left for sandwiches for today and tomorrow. So none of it will be wasted!!!! Thank you for the recipe it will definitely be my go to recipe when we have roast beef.😋😋😋
Luke and Kay says
Hi Helen, thank you so much for your kind words and the 5-star rating! We're thrilled to hear that you and your family loved the slow cooker beef joint. It's great to know that there were leftovers for sandwiches as well - no waste is always a bonus! We're glad that this recipe will be your go-to for roast beef from now on. Happy cooking! 😊👩🍳
Helen says
I have this cooking in the slow cooker right now and the aroma in the kitchen is amazing!!!! Just can’t wait to taste it!!!!!!
Luke and Kay says
Thank you so much for sharing your 5-star review, Helen! We're thrilled to hear that the aroma of our Slow Cooker Beef Joint is already making your kitchen smell amazing. We can't wait for you to taste it and hope it exceeds your expectations. Happy cooking!
Amy says
I made this slow cooker beef for sandwiches. It was so delicious. I sliced the meat super thin and served it on rolls with and some of the au jus for dipping.
Luke and Kay says
Glad to hear you enjoyed our slow cooker beef joint, Amy! We're thrilled to learn that your sandwiches were a success. We especially appreciate the creativity of adding its flavourful au jus as an accompaniment. It sounds like you have your own special recipe now and we can't wait to hear about how you use our Slow Cooker Beef in a future meal again. Thank you for your review and support. 🙂