Ground Beef Crockpot Recipes | Easy Slow Cooker Meals for Busy Weeknights

Introduction

Cooking with a slow cooker offers a wonderful opportunity to turn humble ingredients into deeply satisfying comfort food. One ingredient that shines when paired with the “set-it-and-forget-it” ease of a crockpot is ground beef. Rich in flavor and versatile in its uses, ground beef transforms beautifully when slow-cooked, absorbing sauces and seasonings over time to deliver a tender and flavorful dish. Slow cooking allows the flavors to meld and the beef to develop a texture that is both satisfying and comforting. Whether you’re coming home after a long day or preparing a batch ahead of a busy week, a ground beef crockpot dish can be exactly the kind of hearty meal you want. In this article I’ll walk you through a well-rounded recipe, show you how to customise it to your preferences, and share tips on nutrition, serving and more so you feel confident in making something delicious with ease.

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Ingredients Needed

Here’s a table showing the ingredients you’ll need for one solid crockpot ground beef dish, along with approximate calorie counts per ingredient. Note that calorie values are estimates and may vary depending on exact brand, lean-to-fat ratio of the beef, and cooking method. According to nutrition sources cooked ground beef averages around 240-260 calories per 100 g when cooked.

Ingredient	Qty	Approximate Calories*
Ground beef (80/20 lean/fat)	500 g	~1,300 kcal
Onion (medium)	1 (~150 g)	~60 kcal
Garlic cloves	2 cloves	~9 kcal
Diced tomatoes (canned, 400 g)	1 can	~80 kcal
Tomato paste (6 oz)	~170 g	~80 kcal
Beef broth (low sodium)	1 cup (~240 ml)	~15 kcal
Kidney beans (canned, drained, 240 g)	1 can	~200 kcal
Chili powder	1 Tbsp (~8 g)	~24 kcal
Cumin	1 tsp (~2 g)	~8 kcal
Olive oil	1 Tbsp (~14 g)	~120 kcal
Salt & pepper	to taste	~0 kcal

*Total estimated calories: ~1,896 kcal for entire dish. If divided into 6 servings, approx. ~316 kcal per serving.

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Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Begin by prepping your ingredients: chop the onion and mince the garlic. Drain the kidney beans and open the tomato products.
2. In a skillet over medium heat add the olive oil and sauté the chopped onion until it becomes translucent (about 3-4 minutes). Then add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Add the ground beef into the skillet, breaking it up into small pieces. Cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat if you like for a leaner dish. It’s notable that many slow cooker recipes recommend browning the beef first for better texture and flavour.
4. Transfer the browned beef, onions and garlic into your crockpot. Add the canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, drained kidney beans, chili powder and cumin. Stir everything together to ensure the ingredients are well combined.
5. Cover the crockpot and set it to low heat for 6-8 hours, or high heat for 3-4 hours. The low slow-cook will result in more melded flavours and tender texture. According to several recipe round-ups using ground beef in crockpots the low 6-hour mark is common.
6. About 30 minutes before the end of cooking check the seasoning and adjust salt and pepper if necessary. If you like the dish a bit thicker, you can remove the lid for the final 10-15 minutes to let some liquid evaporate, or stir in a slurry of cornstarch and water to thicken.
7. When cooking time is up, serve hot. You can garnish with chopped fresh parsley or coriander, shredded cheese or a dollop of sour cream if you like.

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Tips for Customizing the Recipe

• Swap the kidney beans for black beans, white beans or even lentils to change up the texture and nutritional profile.
• Use leaner ground beef (e.g., 90/10) for fewer calories and less fat. That will reduce the calorie count of the dish modestly
• Add extra vegetables such as bell peppers, corn, carrots or zucchini. These boost fibre and volume without much extra effort. Many sources note that veggies make crockpot ground beef dishes more nutritious.
• Spice it up: if you prefer heat, include chopped jalapeños, a dash of cayenne pepper or a good pinch of smoked paprika.
• Make it low-carb: skip the beans and serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lighter base.
• For a Mexican-inspired twist, serve the beef mixture in soft tortillas or corn tacos, and add shredded lettuce, salsa and avocado.
• If you’d like a creamy texture, stir in a half-cup of sour cream or Greek yogurt at the end of cooking and mix well.
• For batch cooking: double the recipe, portion into individual containers and freeze for future meals — slow-cooked dishes often freeze and reheat well.

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Nutritional Information

Here is an overview of the nutritional aspects of this ground beef crockpot dish and some things to keep in mind:

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Serving Suggestions

• Serve over steamed white or brown rice for a hearty meal. The beef mixture works wonderfully with plain rice because the sauce soaks in nicely.
• Offer warm tortillas or corn taco shells for a DIY taco night: let everyone build their own taco with the beef mixture, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and grated cheese.
• Spoon over cauliflower rice or spiralised zucchini for a low-carb alternative.
• Make it a one-pot dinner: alongside the beef mixture, place steamed or roasted vegetables such as broccoli, green beans or roasted bell peppers on the side.
• Pair with simple sides like a green salad dressed with lemon and olive oil, or toasted garlic bread if you like.
• For leftovers: this dish reheats well. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, or freeze in individual portions for up to 2-3 months.
• Garnish ideas: chopped fresh parsley or coriander for freshness; a scoop of sour cream or plain yogurt for creaminess; shredded cheddar cheese or pepper jack for extra indulgence.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need to brown the ground beef first?
Yes, browning the beef first helps improve texture and flavour. It creates a richer taste and helps avoid ending up with large lumps of meat in the crockpot. Many slow cooker guides note this step as beneficial.

Can I cook the dish on high instead of low?
Yes you can. If your crockpot has a high setting, you can cook for 3-4 hours instead of 6-8 hours on low. The longer low-heat method usually yields deeper flavour and more tender results, but high works in a pinch.

Is it okay to use more vegetables and less beef?
Absolutely. Increasing vegetables is a great way to add volume, fibre and nutrition while reducing calorie density. The beans and vegetables will help maintain heartiness.

Can I freeze portions of this dish?
Yes. After cooking, allow the dish to cool slightly, then portion into freezer-safe containers. It freezes well and can be reheated when you need a quick, satisfying meal.

What lean-to-fat ratio ground beef should I use?
It depends on your nutrition goals. An 80/20 ground beef gives rich flavour but higher calories; if you prefer a leaner option choose 90/10 or 93/7. Calorie content varies notably with the fat percentage.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
While this recipe centres on ground beef, you could substitute a plant-based ground meat alternative or use lentils and beans instead of beef. Adjust seasoning and cooking time accordingly.

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Conclusion

With a simple list of ingredients, your slow cooker and a little bit of prep you can create a warming, tasty ground beef based meal that pulls together effortlessly. The magic of slow cooking means flavours deepen, textures soften and the end result is soul-satisfying. Whether you serve it over rice, tuck it into tortillas or keep it low-carb over vegetables, you’ve got a flexible recipe that adapts to your life.