Slow Cooker Beef and Onion 3-Ingredient

Slow Cooker Beef and Onion 3-Ingredient. This easy slow cooker beef and onion dish uses just 3 things. It’s like my great aunt’s no-fuss meal with huge flavor. Stack beef and tons of onions, add salt, and let it cook slow. Onions melt into rich, golden gravy that makes the beef super soft. No extra steps needed—perfect for busy days!

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into big 3-inch chunks

• 3 large yellow onions, sliced thin (about 2½ to 3 pounds total)

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt (or 1½ teaspoons table salt), plus extra if needed

Slow Cooker Beef and Onion: Directions

1. Get onions ready: Peel onions. Cut each in half from root to top. Put flat side down and slice into thin half-circles, about ¼ inch thick. They look like a lot, but shrink to make gravy.

2. Season beef: Dry beef chunks with paper towels. Sprinkle salt all over and rub it in lightly.

3. Layer in cooker: Spread sliced onions even in bottom of 5- to 7-quart slow cooker. Put beef chunks on top in one layer (okay if they overlap a bit).

4. Cook it: Put lid on. Cook on LOW 8-10 hours or HIGH 4-5 hours. No water needed—beef and onions make their own juice.

5. Check halfway (optional): Midway, flip beef with spoon or tongs. Spoon soft onions over meat for even cooking. Skip if you’re away.

6. Make gravy done: Beef is ready when fork slides in easy. Move beef to warm plate. Stir onions and juice hard with wooden spoon. Scrape bottom bits. Onions turn soft, golden, and thick like jam in shiny broth.

7. Taste and fix: Try gravy. Add pinch of salt if bland. Stir in 1-2 spoons warm water if too thick. Put beef back in cooker or pour gravy over it.

8. Serve hot: Break beef into big chunks with forks. Spoon lots of onions and gravy on top. Great over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice!

Serve over creamy mashed potatoes, buttery noodles, or rice to soak up gravy. Add green beans, salad, or broccoli on side. Use bread to wipe up extras. Top with parsley or lemon for zing.