Beef—especially the marbled “tough” cut type—is a perfect food for the slow cooker. Simmered low and slow all day long, the meat becomes meltingly tender and flavors every single ingredient in the pot. You can’t overcook most cuts of beef in the slow cooker, so long days at work and school are no problem. Even ground beef slow-cooks very well! Here are some of our favorite slow-cooker beef recipes.
Our best belly-stuffin’, soul warmin’ southern recipes. Think chicken-fried steak, biscuits and gravy and plenty of pie.
Pot pie is always delicious—it’s comforting and full of complex textures. Filled with hearty meat (like chicken, beef or turkey) and packed with nutritious vegetables, it’s a full dinner all in one, and pie crust or puffed pastry adds buttery flavor and flaky texture. Regardless of how you make it, this filling dinner is the definition of family-friendly comfort food. Better yet? It’s a classic one-pot meal that cuts down on cleanup. These recipes, which range from traditional to twists on the classic (pretzel topping, anyone?) all share one thing in common: they’re sure to satisfy the whole family.
This classic dish is as hearty and wholesome as it gets. It’s creamy and meaty with bold flavor from fresh thyme, bay leaves and black pepper. Mushrooms, peas, carrots and pearl onions add fresh, vegetal flavor to help round out the rich filling. A buttery, crunchy topping gets baked until golden and crispy.
Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”
Our Favorite Fall Dessert Ideas
There’s just something about the change of season that makes us want to head into the kitchen and bake! Whether it’s to use up our apples or pears after a trip to the orchard or simply because we’re craving a perfectly spiced, seasonal treat—fall is one of our favorite times of the year for desserts. You can’t go wrong with any of the ideas in this roundup but a go-to recipe after a day of apple picking is a must. That’s why we love these mini treats; they’re reminiscent of a cake doughnut and perfect for snacking—and flecked with bits of apple. Boosted with cider and topped with streusel, they’re the perfect indulgence.
It’s that time of year again. Call your family and friends—and get ready to fire up the grill one more time for an all-out cookout. Although we’re year-round grillers (and will be cooking outdoors well into the fall and winter months), Labor Day is an opportunity to host an extra special get-together. Need a few menu ideas for a crowd? We like to start our barbecue with summer appetizers, move on to meaty mains like BBQ ribs or grilled chicken and finish the night with a few good, old-fashioned desserts. We’re not saying ‘goodbye’ to summer—we’re celebrating it! And, while party is sure to look a little different, there are some classics that always deserve a spot on the table, like these versatile burgers. You can load them up with traditional fixings (like American cheese, lettuce, tomato and red onion) or deck them out with the most-outrageous toppings you can think of. Either way they’ll be delicious—and loved by all!
Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”
Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree 