There are various ways to cook beef but crockpot cooking brings out the juiciness and flavor of beef really well. You can cook the toughest beef cuts in a slow cooker and it will come out succulent and delicious because of the moist, slow cooking method.
One of the most popular slow cooker recipes of all time is beef casserole. This is such a simple dish but there are so many different ingredients you can choose from. Classic ingredients include potatoes, onion and carrot but you can also use other vegetables such as zucchini, yam, rutabaga, broccoli and more, depending on what you have to use up and what flavor you are aiming for.
Why We Love Casseroles
Casserole recipes are simple to make and satisfying to eat. Not only can you add any meat, vegetables and flavors you like but you can choose from thick and rich casseroles to thin, watery ones.
Serve either of these over a mound of mashed potatoes or rice and you have a rich, filling and truly delicious dinner. The crockpot could have been invented solely for making casseroles because they come out so incredibly well.
You can make beef casserole, chicken casserole, pork casserole or even fish casserole in a slow cooker and the ingredients will merge their flavors in the same way, resulting in a flavorful dish which everyone will be impressed with. A lot of crockpot casserole recipes also freeze well so you can make a huge casserole and freeze half for another occasion.
Recipe for German Beef Casserole
This delicious crockpot recipe is easy to make and combines beef with carrots and an assortment of spices and flavorings including molasses, tomatoes, sherry and ginger. This is a rich and tasty dish and a real winter warmer of a meal. Serve this German style beef casserole with bread for mopping up the wonderful juices.
You will find that the sherry and ginger add a special elegance to this beef casserole. Some beef casserole recipes feature beer or red wine to enhance the beef flavor but the sherry also goes well. The ginger lends the dish a trace of oriental flavor without detracting from the European influence.
This is a really special recipe. If you like, you can omit the potato and serve it with some mashed potatoes on the side instead. Of course you will have to make those on the stove.
What you will need:
- 1 1/2 lbs beef chuck
- 2 cups carrots, sliced thinly
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup dark molasses
- 16 oz can diced tomatoes in juice
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/4 cup sherry
- 1 potato, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
How to make it:
Cut the beef into two inch cubes and add it to the crockpot. Sprinkle the ginger, pepper, salt and garlic powder on top, then add the rest of the ingredients and stir briefly. Cover the slow cooker and cook for six to eight hours on low. Stir and serve hot.