Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan
Experience the comforting embrace of a classic Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan, an iconic open-faced sandwich elevated by tender, slow-cooked beef and rich, savory gravy. This dish features succulent beef roast simmered to perfection with aromatic spices, transforming into a melt-in-your-mouth delight atop fluffy mashed potatoes and a slice of hearty bread. It's the ultimate homestyle meal, perfect for a cozy family dinner.
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
8 hours (slow cooker)
Total Time
8 hours 15 minutes
Servings
6 servings
Keywords
Why This Recipe Delivers
- Incredibly tender, fall-apart beef with minimal effort.
- Rich, homemade gravy elevates the classic comfort food experience.
- A complete, satisfying meal in one hearty serving.
- Perfect for meal prepping or feeding a crowd with ease.
- Uses simple ingredients for maximum flavor impact.
Ingredients
- 900 grams (2 pounds) beef roast, such as chuck or round, trimmed of excess fat
- 1 medium onion, peeled and thinly sliced
- 475 milliliters (2 cups) beef broth, low sodium preferred
- 30 milliliters (2 tablespoons) Worcestershire sauce
- 15 milliliters (1 tablespoon) soy sauce
- 5 milliliters (1 teaspoon) garlic powder
- 5 milliliters (1 teaspoon) onion powder
- 5 milliliters (1 teaspoon) dried thyme
- 5 milliliters (1 teaspoon) black pepper, freshly ground
- 2.5 milliliters (1/2 teaspoon) salt
- 30 milliliters (2 tablespoons) cornstarch
- 30 milliliters (2 tablespoons) cold water, for the slurry
- 6 slices of hearty bread, white or Texas toast style
- 950 milliliters (4 cups) prepared mashed potatoes, homemade or store-bought
Instructions
- Prepare your slow cooker by placing the thinly sliced onion evenly across the bottom. The onions will create a flavorful bed and help prevent the beef from sticking.
- Carefully lay the beef roast on top of the sliced onions in the slow cooker. Ensure it sits comfortably within the pot.
- In a small bowl, combine the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce. Pour this mixture over the beef roast, ensuring the liquid covers most of the meat to infuse it with flavor during cooking.
- Evenly sprinkle the garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, freshly ground black pepper, and salt over the entire surface of the beef roast. These seasonings will build a deep, aromatic profile.
- Secure the lid on your slow cooker. Cook on the LOW setting for 8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 4 to 5 hours. The beef is ready when it is exceptionally tender and can be easily shredded with a fork, indicating it has absorbed maximum flavor and moisture.
- Carefully remove the cooked beef roast from the slow cooker and transfer it to a large plate or cutting board. Using two forks, shred the beef into bite-sized pieces, discarding any large fatty sections.
- Strain the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a medium saucepan, discarding the cooked onions. This liquid is the base for your rich gravy. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to form a smooth slurry. Bring the strained broth to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then gradually whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue to stir constantly until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency, about 2-3 minutes.
- To assemble each Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan, place one slice of bread on a serving plate. Generously spoon a portion of mashed potatoes over the bread. Top the mashed potatoes with a heap of the shredded, tender beef, then lavishly ladle the homemade gravy over the beef, potatoes, and bread. Serve immediately.
Tools You’ll Need
- Slow cooker (Crock-Pot)
- Large plate or cutting board
- Two forks for shredding
- Fine-mesh sieve or colander
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Serving plates
Essential Success Tips
- Choose a well-marbled chuck roast for the most tender and flavorful results; the fat renders down beautifully during slow cooking.
- Do not overfill your slow cooker; ensure there's enough space for the heat to circulate evenly for optimal cooking.
- If your gravy isn't thickening as desired, mix a little more cornstarch with cold water into a slurry and whisk it into the simmering gravy gradually until it reaches your preferred consistency.
- For an extra layer of flavor, consider searing the beef roast on all sides in a hot pan before adding it to the slow cooker, creating a deeper, caramelized crust.
- Let the beef rest for a few minutes after shredding before serving; this allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and moisture.
Professional Cooking Secrets
- To achieve a truly restaurant-quality gravy, deglaze the pan used for searing the beef (if you seared it) with a splash of red wine before adding the liquid to the slow cooker. This adds an incredible depth of umami.
- For an even richer gravy, once thickened, swirl in a knob of unsalted butter or a teaspoon of cream at the very end off the heat. This adds a luxurious sheen and velvety texture.
- Consider adding a bay leaf or a few sprigs of fresh rosemary and thyme directly to the slow cooker with the beef for a more complex aromatic profile, removing them before shredding the beef.
Notes
- Leftover shredded beef and gravy can be stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure your beef broth and Worcestershire sauce are certified gluten-free, and use gluten-free bread.
- You can make this dish even heartier by adding chopped carrots and potatoes to the slow cooker along with the onions, turning it into a complete pot roast before assembling the Manhattan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare the beef ahead of time?
Absolutely! The slow-cooked shredded beef and gravy can be prepared a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before assembling the Beef Manhattans.
What kind of bread is best for Beef Manhattan?
A sturdy white bread, like Texas toast or a thick-cut artisanal white loaf, works best as it holds up well to the mashed potatoes, beef, and generous gravy without becoming soggy too quickly.
How can I make the gravy thicker or thinner?
To thicken, create a new small cornstarch slurry and whisk it into the simmering gravy. To thin, gradually whisk in a little more beef broth or water until the desired consistency is reached.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories: 520 kcal, Protein: 45g, Fat: 25g, Carbs: 30g (estimated, varies with bread and mashed potatoes choices)
Allergy Information
Contains wheat (bread, Worcestershire sauce may contain it) and soy (soy sauce). For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free bread and ensure all sauces are gluten-free certified.
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