Discover the joys of cozy, flavorful dinners with the Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan, a warming classic reinvented for your slow cooker. This delicious recipe combines tender beef, savory gravy, and soft bread to create a comforting dish that’s perfect for family meals or a casual weeknight treat. Whether you’re new to slow cooking or a seasoned pro, this Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan brings ease and rich taste together in one pot, making dinner both simple and satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Cooking: Simply add ingredients to the slow cooker and let it do the work while you relax or go about your day.
Rich, Comforting Flavors: The slow cooking process enhances the beef’s tenderness and infuses the dish with deep, savory flavors.
Versatile Meal: Customize ingredients to suit dietary preferences or what’s on hand without losing the dish’s essence.
Perfect for Leftovers: This recipe tastes even better the next day, making it ideal for meal prepping and easy reheats.
Family-Friendly: A crowd-pleaser that’s hearty and satisfying for all ages, perfect for sharing around the dinner table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering simple, quality ingredients is key to making the Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan truly shine. Each component adds a special touch, from the tender beef to the comforting gravy, ensuring every bite is a balance of taste, texture, and color.

Beef Chuck Roast: A flavorful, tender cut that becomes melt-in-your-mouth after slow cooking.
Beef Broth: Adds depth to the gravy and keeps everything juicy.
Onion: Adds subtle sweetness and texture when slowly cooked down.
Garlic: Brings aroma and richness to the overall flavor profile.
Mushrooms: Optional, but a great way to add earthiness and umami flavor.
Worcestershire Sauce: Enhances the savory, slightly tangy notes in the gravy.
Flour or Cornstarch: For thickening the gravy to the perfect consistency.
Sliced Bread or Dinner Rolls: Used to soak up that luscious gravy for that classic Manhattan feel.
Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors.

Variations for Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan

This Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan recipe is incredibly adaptable! Feel free to tweak ingredients or methods to suit your preferences, dietary needs, or what’s in your pantry.

Vegetarian Twist: Swap beef for hearty mushrooms and vegetable broth for a meat-free version.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of chili flakes or smoked paprika for a subtle kick.
Herb Infusion: Fresh thyme or rosemary can enhance the aroma and flavor depth.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch and pair with gluten-free bread rolls.
Cheesy Layer: Add a slice of your favorite cheese on top of the bread before serving for a melty surprise.

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan

Step 1: Prepare the Beef

Trim excess fat from the beef chuck roast and season generously with salt and pepper. For added flavor, sear the beef in a hot pan for 3–4 minutes per side until browned.

Step 2: Saute Aromatics

Sauté onions and garlic in a skillet until translucent and fragrant. If using mushrooms, add them here and cook until softened.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker

Place the seared beef in the slow cooker. Pour beef broth and Worcestershire sauce over it, then add the sautéed vegetables on top. Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours until beef is tender.

Step 4: Make the Gravy

Remove the beef and vegetables, and shred the meat. Mix flour or cornstarch with some cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the slow cooker liquid. Cook on high for 15–20 minutes to thicken into a rich gravy.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve

Place slices of bread or dinner rolls on serving plates, spoon shredded beef and gravy over the top, and enjoy your homemade Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan.

Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan

Searing the Meat: Browning your beef before slow cooking locks in flavor and adds a beautiful color.
Layering Ingredients: Place vegetables under the meat in the slow cooker to prevent them from becoming mushy.
Adjust Thickness: Use more or less flour/cornstarch slurry to get gravy perfectly thick or slightly runny, depending on preference.
Low and Slow: Cooking on low heat for a longer time results in the most tender beef.
Use Fresh Bread: For soaking up gravy, fresh soft bread or dinner rolls work best to capture every mouthwatering drop.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan

Garnishes

Fresh parsley or chopped chives sprinkled over the top add brightness and a pop of color to the dish, balancing the savory richness with a fresh note.

Side Dishes

Classic mashed potatoes or buttery noodles make excellent sides, soaking up extra gravy wonderfully. A simple green salad or steamed vegetables can bring a refreshing contrast to this hearty meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan in rustic bread bowls for a fun twist or stack it over crispy toasted bread slices for texture and an elegant look. For family-style sharing, a large serving platter with plenty of bread on the side invites everyone to dive in together.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cool leftover Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will keep fresh for 3–4 days.

Freezing

This dish freezes beautifully. Portion into freezer-safe containers or bags, label with the date, and freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the gravy thickens too much, add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen it back up.

FAQs

Can I use other cuts of beef for Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan?

Absolutely! While beef chuck is ideal for tenderness, brisket or round roast can also work as long as they’re cooked low and slow for enough time to become tender.

Do I need to brown the meat before slow cooking?

Browning is recommended but not mandatory. It adds extra flavor and color, but slow cooking will still make the beef tender and delicious without it.

What kind of bread works best with this recipe?

Soft white or dinner rolls are traditional because they soak up gravy well, but you can also use crusty bread or whole wheat varieties for different textures.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

The classic recipe contains flour for thickening, but you can easily substitute with cornstarch or gluten-free flour to make it gluten-free.

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Yes, Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan tastes great reheated, making it perfect for meal prep or cooking a day ahead of serving to let flavors meld.

Final Thoughts

Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan is that perfect mix of comfort, ease, and deliciousness that makes any mealtime feel special. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a dish your family will ask for again and again. So go ahead, give this recipe a try and bring a little warmth and hearty flavor into your home dinner routine.

Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan

Print Recipe

Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan is a comforting and flavorful slow-cooked dish combining tender beef chuck roast, savory gravy, and soft bread. This recipe delivers rich, hearty flavors with minimal effort, perfect for family dinners or meal prep. Slow cooking ensures melt-in-your-mouth beef infused with aromatic vegetables and a luscious gravy, all served over soft bread or rolls for a classic, soul-warming meal.

Author: Emily
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 7 to 8 hours (low) or 4 to 5 hours (high)
Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (low) or 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (high)
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free (with substitutions)

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

2 to 3 pounds beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat
2 cups beef broth
1 large onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch (for slurry)
3/4 cup cold water (for slurry)
8–10 slices of soft bread or dinner rolls
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Beef: Trim excess fat from the beef chuck roast and season generously with salt and pepper. For added flavor, sear the beef in a hot pan for 3–4 minutes per side until browned.
Saute Aromatics: Sauté onions and garlic in a skillet over medium heat until translucent and fragrant. If using mushrooms, add them now and cook until softened.
Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the seared beef in the slow cooker. Pour the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce over it, then add the sautéed vegetables on top. Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours until the beef is tender.
Make the Gravy: Remove the beef and vegetables from the slow cooker. Shred the beef using forks. Mix flour or cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the slow cooker liquid. Cook on high for 15–20 minutes to thicken into a rich gravy.
Assemble and Serve: Place slices of bread or dinner rolls on serving plates, spoon shredded beef and gravy over the top, and enjoy your homemade Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan.

Notes

Searing the Meat: Browning your beef before slow cooking locks in flavor and adds a beautiful color.
Layering Ingredients: Place vegetables under the meat in the slow cooker to prevent them from becoming mushy.
Adjust Thickness: Use more or less flour/cornstarch slurry to achieve the desired gravy consistency.
Low and Slow: Cooking on low heat for a longer time results in the most tender beef.
Use Fresh Bread: Fresh soft bread or dinner rolls best soak up the delicious gravy.
Variations: For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch and use gluten-free bread. For a vegetarian version, swap beef with mushrooms and beef broth with vegetable broth.
Make Ahead: This dish tastes even better reheated and is great for meal prepping.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 700 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 95 mg

Keywords: Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan, Beef Chuck Roast, Comfort Food, Slow Cooker Recipes, Beef and Gravy, Easy Dinner, Family Meal