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Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef

Published January 15, 2019. Last updated October 24, 2019 by Samantha Rowland

Gluten FreeLow CarbWhole30Paleo
Large bowl filled with slow cooker balsamic beef over a brown striped napkin with pinterest text on the bottom of the photo

Slow cooker balsamic beef is going to become one of your family favorite recipes for busy weeknights! Made with just a few ingredients, this slow cooker recipe cooks all day and is equally delicious as leftovers the next day! Paleo, Whole30, gluten free and so simple to make!

5 from 3 votes
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arge bowl filled with slow cooker balsamic beef over a brown striped napkin

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Easy Slow Cooker Dinner

Growing up, my mom made us a roast at least once or twice a month, and I always remember getting so excited to have that (and mashed potatoes) for dinner! I remember how good the house smelled and we always had leftovers for days!

Since I usually only cook meat for Dave, I often stick to things like Instant Pot Beef Stew or slow cooker shredded chicken, since I like for the meat to easily be made into multiple meals or really good as leftovers!

I’m not sure why it took me so long to make roast beef in the slow cooker, but I will be adding this to the rotation for sure! Dave was super excited to have it for 3-4 meals in a row (which normally doesn’t happen) and has already requested me to make it again! Luckily this slow cooker balsamic roast beef doesn’t take very much effort and I usually have all the ingredients on hand!

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I made this recipe with stew beef (usually beef chuck or round that has been cut into cubes) but you could also use boneless roast beef (chuck or round roast) if you can find that at a better price at your grocery store!

Large wooden spoon holding up a piece of the slow cooker balsamic beef over the slow cooker

This recipe uses balsamic vinegar to flavor the beef, and after the balsamic cooks for 8-10 hours, it really mellows out and sweetens up a little bit. Don’t worry; this slow cooker balsamic beef does not at all taste acidic!

The leftover juices from roasting can easily be made into a simple gravy in just 5 minutes, so be sure not to let them go to waste!

How to make this slow cooker balsamic beef

Steps to make the slow cooker balsamic beef - ingredients for the sauce, the beef in the slow cooker, the beef after slow cooking and shredding the balsamic beef

  • Add the stew beef or roast beef to the bottom of the slow cooker
  • Mix together the water, balsamic vinegar, coconut aminos, garlic olive oil (or garlic powder) and salt in a mixing bowl and pour over the beef
  • Add in 2 bay leaves and a few sprigs of fresh rosemary and fresh thyme if you have them. If not add 1/2 tsp. dried thyme over the beef mixture
  • Cook in the slow cooker for 8-10 hours on low
  • Shred the beef with two forks

How to make gravy for balsamic beef:

Dinner plate filled with slow cooker balsamic beef, mashed cauliflower, gravy and kale

  • Once the beef is done cooking, remove it from the slow cooker, reserving all the liquid.
  • Pour the liquid in a small pot through a strainer to catch the bay leaf and fresh herbs
  • Bring the reserved liquid to a simmer over medium heat.
  • Add 1 tbsp arrowroot flour or tapioca flour and 1 tbsp water together in a small bowl, mixing well to fully dissolve the flour.
  • Add the arrowroot flour slurry to the simmering liquids. Stir well. This will thicken within a minute or two. Remove from heat when reaches desired consistency. This gravy will continue to thicken on the heat.

How to freeze crockpot balsamic beef:

To make this a freezer meal:

  • Add the stew beef or roast beef to a double ziplock bag or freezer safe container.
  • Mix together the rest of the ingredients and pour over the beef.
  • Squeeze out all of the air, date the package and place in the freezer (up to 3 months).
  • The day before you want to make this, defrost in the fridge (on a plate or in a bowl to catch any possible dripping)
  • Cook in the crockpot on low 8-10 hours.

Two forks shredding the slow cooker balsamic beef

To freeze after cooking:

After cooking, if you have leftovers that you want to freeze, package them in individual portions in small containers or ziplock bags. Remove as much air as you can and be sure to date the packages. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.

What to serve with balsamic beef:

  • Instant Pot Cauliflower Mash
  • Simple 5 minute creamy kale
  • Carrot fries
  • Rosemary garlic potatoes

Don't have a slow cooker? Here is the slow cooker I have and love:

Crock-Pot Digital Slow Cooker

Did you know that you can also use your Instant Pot as a slow cooker? You can buy a glass lid from Amazon and it will work exactly the same (the glass lid just lets you see what is going on)

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
Overhead shot of large plate of slow cooker balsamic beef with fresh rosemary sprigs on the plate over a brown striped napkin

Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef

This slow cooker balsamic beef recipe is the easiest weeknight meal! So easy to make and the whole family will love it! Gluten free, paleo, Whole30 and low carb, this simple recipe is perfect comfort food!
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: balsamic beef, balsamic roast beef, slow cooker balsamic beef
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 8 hrs
Total Time: 8 hrs 5 mins
Servings: 4 people
Author: Samantha Rowland

Recipe Video

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds stew beef - or roast beef
  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp coconut aminos
  • 1 tbsp garlic olive oil - or 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary - optional
  • 4-5 sprigs fresh thyme - optional see notes

Balsamic Beef Gravy

  • 1 tbsp arrowroot or tapioca flour
  • 1 tbsp water

Instructions

  • Add the stew beef to the bottom of the crockpot
  • MIx together the balsamic vinegar, water, coconut aminos, garlic olive oil (or garlic powder) and salt in a bowl. 
  • Pour the marinade over the beef
  • Cook on low for 8-10 hours
  • Shred the beef with 2 forks. Serve hot

Balsamic Beef Gravy

  • To make the gravy, pour the leftover liquid into a small pot through a metal strainer to catch the fresh rosemary and thyme leaves. If you didn't use fresh you don't have to use the strainer just pick out the bay leaves
  • Bring the liquid to a simmer over medium low heat. 
  • In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp arrowroot (or tapicoa) and 1 tbsp of water until the flour is completely dissolved. 
  • Pour the arrowroot and water mixture into the simmering pot with the leftovers from the roast. Stir well. 
  • After 1-2 minutes, the mixture should reach a consistency you prefer. Remove from heat or it will continue to thicken. If gets too thick, add water 1 tablespoon at a time. 

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Notes

If you don't have fresh herbs, leave out the rosemary and add 1/2 to 1 tsp dried thyme.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving. See serving size in recipe.
Calories 352
Fat 11g
Carbohydrates 7g
Sugar 3g
Protein 50g
*
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.
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Large bowl filled with slow cooker balsamic beef over a brown striped napkin with pinterest text on the bottom of the photo

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Filed Under: Dinner, Recipes Tagged With: crockpot, gluten free, low carb, paleo, slow cooker, whole30

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AliciaM

    July 25, 2019 at 6:51 pm

    5 stars
    So good – Made this tonight and it was a hit with the whole family! So nice to come home from work and have dinner ready. Will definitely make this again!

    Reply
  2. Julia

    January 19, 2019 at 8:44 am

    5 stars
    It looks delicious – and thanks for sharing . it’s a Summer favorite for sure !.

    Reply

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