Slow Cooker Beef Joint (Roast Beef with Gravy)

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.

Jump to:

• How to Cook Beef Joint in the Slow Cooker
• Ingredients
• Equipment
• Slow Cooker
• Instructions
• Serving Suggestions
• 📖 Step by Step Recipe
• Storage
• More Beef Recipes
• 💬 Reviews

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 very little effort. Check out the video now.

Read on for more advice, or click below to get started immediately.

Jump to Recipe Card to get started

Ingredients

Let's review the ingredients you need 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 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 for browning 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 a deeply 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

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

Gravy

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 Dinner 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 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, 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!

📖 Step by Step Recipe

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!