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Hearty Beef Dinner

As seen in Satisfying Entrées for Every Table.

This dish features juicy beef pieces that turn nice and tender after slow cooking in a mix of beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire, and spices. You can add baby potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, and onions to cook until soft. Browning the meat first gives extra flavor but you can skip that step if you’re pressed for time. Just before eating, stir in a cornstarch mix to thicken things up. Serve it over mashed potatoes or noodles for a comforting meal that’s deep and rich.

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Lindsey
Created By Lindsey
Last updated on Wed, 10 Sep 2025 19:19:00 GMT
Plate with meat and gravy Save Pin
Plate with meat and gravy | cookbing.com

Let your kitchen fill up with mouthwatering smells while this easy slow-cooked beef simmers away. It's perfect for nights when you crave something hearty, comforting, and basically cooks itself. Everyone's going to want seconds.

I threw this together during a chilly weekend when we needed something warm. The beef was crazy tender, practically falling apart. The sauce hit that spot between salty and sweet that had everyone digging in for more.

Hearty Essentials

  • Cornstarch with cold water: stir together at the end for a luscious thick sauce
  • Mix of veggies (optional): baby carrots, little potatoes, onions, mushrooms for pops of texture and sweetness
  • Red pepper flakes (optional): those who like heat can toss in a pinch
  • Onion powder: pulls all the flavors together
  • Smoked paprika: adds a mellow smokiness—Spanish-style is perfect
  • Garlic: mince it up for a punch of flavor
  • Tomato paste: thickens up everything and deepens the flavor
  • Brown sugar: just a bit for sweet balance
  • Worcestershire sauce: this gives it a bright, tangy kick
  • Soy sauce: brings that savory burst you want
  • Beef broth: go for low-salt so you can tweak the taste
  • Olive oil: (totally optional) use for browning to get extra flavor
  • Black pepper and salt: classic duo to make the beef pop
  • Two pounds beef (like chuck, sirloin, or stew chunks): pick well-marbled meat for juicy tenderness

Simple Steps

Dishing It Up:
Ladle that tender beef and silky sauce over buttered noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top if you have any for extra color.
Make It Thicker:
About 20 minutes before you eat, mix cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Pour into the pot, crank the heat up high, and let it bubble for 15-20 minutes until the sauce gets nice and thick.
Let It Slow Cook:
Put the lid on and let things hang out for 6 to 8 hours on low, or 3 to 4 hours on high. When the beef pulls apart easily, you're done! That slow cook works all the magic.
Load Up the Slow Cooker:
Tip in the browned or raw beef. Scatter your favorite veggies like onions, mushrooms, carrots, and potatoes on top. Pour every bit of that sauce so it's all coated.
Whip Up the Sauce:
In a bowl, toss in beef broth, tomato paste, soy sauce, Worcestershire, garlic, brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, and pepper flakes. Stir until blended and smooth. That’s your punchy sauce base.
Start by Browning Meat:
Pat beef dry and add a little salt and pepper. Heat a good splash of olive oil in a large pan on medium-high. Brown chunks on all sides in batches for best flavor (don’t crowd the pan!). If you’re feeling lazy, you can skip this, but trust me, it’s worth it if you have time.
A plate of meat with sauce. Save Pin
A plate of meat with sauce. | cookbing.com

I can’t get enough of the smoked paprika in here. The hint of smokiness somehow makes the whole dish warmer. Cooking this on chilly days feels like the kind of dinner where everyone grabs seconds and hangs out at the table a little longer.

Easy Storage

Stash leftovers in a covered bowl in your fridge for up to four days. When you warm them up, add a splash of broth or a bit of water since the sauce thickens in the fridge. You can totally freeze this, too—tuck it into freezer-safe containers and let it defrost overnight before gently reheating on the stove.

Swap Picks

No Worcestershire? Dash in some balsamic vinegar or a little more soy sauce. Out of broth? Mix bouillon with water and you’re good. Swap any veggies you want: parsnips, sweet spuds, or turnips all work great.

Good Sides

Try this beef on creamy mashed potatoes or buttery noodles. Lighter side? Go for steamed rice and sauté some greens like spinach or kale. A crisp green salad is awesome to balance the cozy flavors.

A plate of meat with sauce. Save Pin
A plate of meat with sauce. | cookbing.com

Common Questions

→ What’s the best beef cut to use here?

Stew meat, chuck roast, or sirloin all work well since they get soft while cooking slowly and soak up flavors beautifully.

→ Is it necessary to brown the beef first?

Browning adds more taste and a nice color but you can skip it if you’re short on time.

→ Can I add vegetables during cooking?

For sure, baby potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, and onions all soften nicely when cooked in the pot.

→ How can I thicken the sauce at the end?

Mix cornstarch with cold water, then stir that into the hot sauce and cook a bit until it thickens up.

→ What sides go well with this beef dish?

Mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles all soak up the sauce and make great pairings.

Soft Beef Meal

Beef simmered low and slow until tender, packed with warm spices and a delicious sauce for a satisfying dish.

Preparation Time
20 Minutes
Cooking Time
360 Minutes
Overall Time
380 Minutes
Created By: Lindsey

Recipe Type: Main Courses

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

Type of Cuisine: American

Serves: 6 Portions

Diet Preferences: Free of Dairy

What You'll Need

→ Meat

01 Cut 2 pounds of stew meat, sirloin, or chuck roast into bite-size chunks
02 Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt
03 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil for browning, if you want
04 Add 1 teaspoon black pepper

→ Sauce

05 3 tablespoons brown sugar
06 1 cup low-salt beef broth
07 2 tablespoons tomato paste
08 3 cloves garlic, minced
09 ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
10 ¼ cup soy sauce
11 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes if you like some spice
13 ½ teaspoon onion powder

→ Optional Add-ins

14 1 cup sliced mushrooms
15 1 cup baby carrots
16 1 to 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water to thicken
17 1 medium onion, chopped roughly
18 1 pound baby potatoes halved

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 01

Pat the beef dry with paper towels then cover all sides with salt and pepper.

Step 02

Heat olive oil in a large pan on medium-high. Brown the meat in batches until nicely colored. You can skip this if you're short on time.

Step 03

Whisk together beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, tomato paste, garlic, smoked paprika, onion powder, and red pepper flakes till smooth.

Step 04

Place the meat in the slow cooker. If you’re using veggies, scatter them on and around the beef. Pour the sauce all over so everything’s covered well.

Step 05

Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until the beef falls apart easily with a fork.

Step 06

About 20 minutes before eating, mix cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Stir it in, cover, and cook on high 15 to 20 minutes until the sauce gets thicker.

Step 07

Serve the tender beef and rich sauce over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice. Throw on some fresh parsley if you like and enjoy.

Helpful Notes

  1. Browning the beef first really boosts the flavor. Using low-salt broth helps keep everything balanced.

Essential Tools

  • Large skillet
  • Slow cooker

Allergen Warnings

Always review the ingredient labels for allergens or consult a healthcare professional with concerns.
  • Contains soy from soy sauce

Nutritional Info (Per Portion)

Nutritional values are approximations and shouldn’t be viewed as customized health guidance.
  • Calories: 450
  • Fat Content: 15 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 20 grams
  • Protein Content: 45 grams