🍲 Slow Cooker Ground Beef (All-Purpose Recipe)
🧾 Ingredients
- 500 g – 1 kg ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional, for richness)
- ½ cup water or beef broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
🥣 Instructions
1. (Optional but recommended) Brown the beef
- Heat a pan and cook ground beef until lightly browned
- Break it into small pieces
- Drain excess fat
This step adds flavor, but you can skip it if short on time.
2. Add to slow cooker
- Place beef in slow cooker
- Add onion, garlic, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and liquid
3. Season
- Add salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano
- Mix everything together
4. Cook
- Low: 6–8 hours
- High: 3–4 hours
Stir once or twice if possible.
🍽️ Ready to Use
Use this cooked beef for:
- Tacos or wraps
- Pasta sauces
- Rice bowls
- Stuffed peppers
- Sloppy sandwiches
💡 Tips
- Break beef apart well before cooking to avoid clumps
- Add vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or mushrooms
- Adjust spices based on dish you’re making
- Freeze leftovers for quick future meals
🌮 Flavor Variations
Taco-style
- Add cumin, chili powder, and a squeeze of lime
Italian-style
- Add basil, thyme, and extra garlic
Spicy version
- Add chili flakes or hot sauce