Here’s an easy and versatile way to cook slow cooker ground beef—perfect for meal prep or using in multiple dishes like tacos, pasta, or casseroles.
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1–2 lbs (≈450–900 g) ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or taco seasoning (optional, depending on use)
Instructions
- Add to Slow Cooker:
Place ground beef, onion, garlic, broth, and seasonings into the slow cooker. - Break Up the Meat:
Use a spoon or spatula to break the beef into smaller chunks as much as possible. - Cook:
- Cook on low for 4–6 hours or high for 2–3 hours.
- Stir once or twice during cooking (if possible) and break up the meat further.
- Drain (if needed):
Once cooked, drain excess fat if necessary. - Use or Store:
- Use immediately in recipes (tacos, spaghetti, chili, casseroles).
- Or store in the fridge (3–4 days) or freeze for later use.
💡 Flavor Variations:
- Taco-style: Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, and a squeeze of lime.
- Italian-style: Add oregano, basil, and a jar of marinara sauce.
- Chili base: Add beans, tomatoes, and extra spices for an easy chili.
💡 Tips:
- Browning the beef first in a skillet adds extra flavor, but you can skip it for convenience.
- Cooking in the slow cooker makes the meat very tender and easy to shred into finer crumbles.
If you want, I can turn this into a complete slow cooker meal (like sloppy joes, chili, or taco bowls) so you don’t need extra steps.
