This Slow Cooker Beef Joint is a true tried and tested family recipe at my house. Like most things, I came rather late in life to the Slow Cooker (Crock Pot) but I have been absolutely revelling in it's many fabulous foodie facets ever since. This is a gamechanger of a recipe.
What Cut Of Beef Is Best For Slow Cooker Roast Beef?
There are three main options:
Brisket
Brisket is my favorite cut of beef to cook like this and a real beef taste sensation because of the fat running through it so the gravy is sensational.
But Brisket usually needs longer to cook than other cuts, up to 9 hours on Low in the Slow Cooker for a large joint and it cannot be cooked for 4-5 hours on High as it will still be tough.
Some brisket joints become tender sooner than others and need less cooking time. Smaller joints will cook more quickly too.
So when I am cooking brisket this way (Low) I rely on a carving fork plunged into it to tell me how ready it is around the 6 hour mark. If it isn't ready I will keep cooking and checking another hour at a time until it becomes soft enough.
Experience tells me when it is tender enough. Meat cooked this way really does become soft and very easy to push the fork in there.
I do find it difficult to find a large Brisket joint without visiting the butcher. Do make sure you get the thicker end too though as the thinner end can be too fatty.
If there is too much fat for the gravy left in the juices after cooking then I will spoon some of it off and keep it in a mug in the fridge and use for the roast potatoes or to add in my Slow Cooker Beef Casserole at another time.
Silverside
I used Silverside, or Rump Roast if you're in the U.S, in these photos for the recipe, as it was on an half price offer and it was absolutely delicious.
So good in fact that I promptly went out and bought another of these joints to freeze for next time.
It is a joint that is easily available in supermarkets this size and loves long and slow cooking.
Topside
Topside is another fabulous choice and one that is often on offer at the supermarkets. I like to buy when discounted and freeze.
It is a great choice for the Slow Cooker as it loves to be cooked long and slow with big beefy flavours.
Another point is oftentimes joints of beef are just labelled Roasting Joints in supermarkets. It doesn't even say what joint it is.
So don't sweat it Susan. Grab and go. I really often do.
Here is a great article on the different cuts of beef. Scroll down for the British Guide.

Roast Beef
How Long Does Beef Need To Cook In Slow Cooker?
Basically you have 2 options. Cook with some liquid for 4-5 hours on High or 6-8 hours on Low (up to 9 hours Low for a large Brisket). Use your time constraints to make your choice.
I personally prefer to cook this for 6-9 hours rather than 4 -5 hours as it generally produces softer, more tender meat.
But if you are planning on having it at noon then you would probably need to get up super early or put it in last thing at night and get up early to switch it off which kind of ruins the whole lazy vibe we've got going on in the first place.
TOP TIP
You could cook it the day before and reheat back in the slow cooker with the gravy.
In fact that is the way I usually go, as if you leave it to go cold and then wrap it up and put it in the fridge, it is super easy to slice the next day and does not crumble at all.
Something that can sometimes happen if you cook it for the 8 hours (9 hours for Brisket) and serve it straight away.
I suggest you use Topside when cooking it for 4-5 hours on High as it is not as lean as Silverside and therefore generally requires less cooking time to tenderise.
I would still allow for more time if your joint is on the large size and I do find that generally the longer you can give it the better.
Can You Overcook Beef In A Slow Cooker?
If you have enough liquid in there and the heat is on Low then there is some wiggle room here.
It all depends on the amount of fat and collagen running through the meat. Brisket is much more forgiving than a leaner cut such as Silverside.
But that said, I would try to stick to the advised cooking times in your recipe until you are experienced in cooking it.
What Do I Serve Slow Cooker Beef Joint With?
I have served it as a traditional Sunday Lunch Roast Beef here and this is in fact the way I usually always cook my Sunday Lunch Beef.
Low on effort and washing up as well as super easy peasy reheating options.
I serve it with roast potatoes, vegetables and my easy yorkshire puddings.
My cauliflower cheese is always a hit here and if I'm thinking a bit swish then I make them with my dauphinoise potatoes rather than roasties.
Other Roast Beef Options
Slice it thickly for serious Roast Beef Rolls with caramelised onions and mustard or horseradish and rocket served with chunky chips and coleslaw.
I do something similar with my brisket buns here. In fact it's one of my favourite ways to easily feed a crowd. It is an outstanding recipe.
I serve it in big dirty baps with spoonfuls of gravy and have done so for many a standing ovation.
It is also really great to have it just sat cold and covered in the fridge for salads and sandwiches at the drop of a beefy hat.
The children go bonkers for warm roast beef sandwiches and ketchup and one of my husband's all time favourites is cold roast beef and chips.
Beef brownie points all round.
Slow Cooker Roast Beef Recipe Steps
I'm afraid I am rather traditional and DON'T like my beef gravy to have anything else other than beef in it but I do understand that most do.
So you can add couple of carrots, celery and an onion in the bottom of the slow cooker here for the beef to hunker down on and flavour the gravy if you prefer.
Feel free to add your favourite flavours. Jamie Oliver would have bay leaves and rosemary tucked in there I'm sure.
- The joint requires a jolly good salt and peppering on all sides.
- Sear in a very hot to trot pan, also on all sides. It is this that gives a good flavour to the whole shebang. You want serious browning. Don't be shy.
- If you would rather you can put the joint into a very hot oven 220 C/425F/Gas Mark 7 for 20-30 minutes to sear instead of the frying pan. I often do.

Seared Beef Joint
- Place the beef in the slow cooker and pour in 500 mls of hot Beef Stock.
- Put the lid on and let the bronzed beauty cook away for the next 4-5 on High or Low for 6-8 hours (9 hours Low for Brisket). Sometimes the meat will be cooked an hour or so earlier (if cooking on the Low setting) use a carving fork or similar after 6 hours to test how soft the meat is. As you get more experienced you will be able to know straight away if it's ready.
- Ideally 71 C internal temperature (if you have a meat thermometer).
- When the joint is ready, remove and rest for at least 30 minutes.
- I cover mine in silver foil and a couple of clean tea towels to rest.
How Do You Make Gravy With Beef Juices In A Slow Cooker?
- Decant the liquid into a saucepan from the slow cooker pot.
- Put two heaped tablespoons of cornflour into a mug and add a couple of inches of cold water. Stir to dissolve all the corn flour into the water.
- Put the saucepan on the heat. Once the liquid is bubbling a little, pour in the cornflour mixture and, using a whisk, stir until it begins to thicken.
- Repeat if the gravy is not thick enough. So simple I'm snoozing....
- Carve the meat when ready and serve with gravy to rapturous applause
TOP TIPS
- The ultimate game changer for me is that I like to make it the day before and allow to go cold before wrapping up and putting in the fridge. It slices very well then. I reheat it in the slow cooker sliced and covered with the gravy. It makes life so easy!
- I use any leftover gravy for a Cottage Pie or Sausage Bake. The gravy is almost as good as the joint. Keep sharing the leftover love.
- A smaller or bigger piece of meat may require shorter or longer cooking times although not significantly. The best test is to plunge a fork in to feel if it is soft yet.
- The meat should have an internal temperature of 71 C.
IF YOU LIKE THIS RECIPE YOU MAY LIKE

Slow Cooker Gammon

Slow Cooker Beef Joint
This recipe for Slow Cooker Beef Joint delivers on all fronts. Not only is it super delicious it is super easy too. The options are endless.
Ingredients
- 1.5 kgs joint of beef at room temp
- 500 mls double strength beef stock 2 x stock pot jelly/cube
- 2 heaped tsps corn flour
- 2 tbsps olive oil
Instructions
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Take out the beef from the fridge 30 mins before you are ready to go, so as to allow the joint to reach room temp. Season with salt.
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Put a large frying pan on a high heat and add the olive oil. Standing in the braced position and using some serious tongs, sear the bejesus out of your joint. It will hiss and spit. Don't do it in a bikini or speedos.
You can also cook for 20 minutes in a really hot oven 220 °C/425 F/Gas Mark 7 to brown it instead.
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Place the browned joint in the slow cooker. Pour over the 500 mls stock and put on the lid. Cook for 4-5 hours on High or Low 6/8 hours (maybe 9 hours on Low for Brisket).
If cooking on Low I rely on a carving fork plunged into it to tell me how ready it is around the 6 hour mark. If it isn't ready I will keep cooking and checking another hour at a time until it becomes soft enough.
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The internal temperature should reach 71°C especially if you're reheating it.
Remove the beef and set aside to rest for 30 mins covered with foil. Remove the left behind stock and decant into a saucepan.
Carve the beef when you are ready for it. If you are serving the beef at a later date allow to cool before putting in the fridge covered.
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To make the gravy put the cornflour in a mug and add a couple of inches of cold water. Stir well to dissolve.
Put the saucepan on the heat and making sure the stock in the saucepan is bubbling a bit add the cornflour mixture.
Using a whisk keep whisking as the stock bubbles. It should be nicely thickened, if it isn't then repeat with another couple of tsps of cornflour and water.
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Use the joint in whatever way you want. If you are just using the beef without gravy then cover gravy when cool and put in the fridge for sausages and mash or a cottage pie. Having homemade gravy in the fridge always makes me feel like Delia.
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Apply to Big Up The Beef Face.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
This feeds four with left overs or six in the one sitting as a meal. Obviously it will go a little further served in rolls and sandwiches.
If you do use for rolls and sandwiches then keep the gravy in the fridge for sausages and mash, cottage pie etc.
A smaller or bigger piece of meat may require shorter or longer cooking times although not significantly. The best test is to plunge a fork in to feel if it is soft yet. The meat should be 71 C. It can become crumbly ,so if it does, thick slices are the way to serve.
Top Tip - I like to make it the day before and allow to go cold before wrapping up and putting in the fridge. It slices very well then.
All nutritional information is only intended as a guide and is approximate.
Do let me know how you get on in the comments below. I would love to hear from you. Or do come on over and join me on my Instagram or Facebook Page. I love a good old hairy chin wag.
Cat | Curly's Cooking
Ooh this does look tasty! I don't cook enough beef joints (read that as I have never cooked a beef joint!) and this is tempting me to give it a go because of how easy it is.
applytofaceblog
Oh Cat! Gosh this is def the one to start with. Then I personally recommend the Roast Brisket, almost as easy. The smell of it too is just divine!
Monika
I still haven't got a slow cooker but with recipes like this one I am more and more convinced I need to get one soon! Thank you for bringing your lovely recipe to #CookBlogShare
Corina Blum
I love my slow cooker and it is great for cooking beef joints in. I need to do that more as I think it's at least a year since I've cooked one in mine so thank you for the reminder too! I definitely need to do it again. Thanks for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice too!
Perry Thomas
My wife and I are now converts.
applytofaceblog
That's brilliant! Did you make it the night before or on the day? It's such a great way to cook it. So glad you enjoyed it and thanks so much for leaving your comment. It has made my day!
Joseph
Just reading the whole recipe made my day let alone the actual eating. Have you thought of writing a book your brilliant.
applytofaceblog
Thank you for your kind words!
Clare
So easy
So delicious
I could eat the whole lot!!
And almost did!
Top recipe bird
Cx
Jenny
Thank you Clare! I look forward to it every Sunday that I cook it. Which is most!
John MURPHY
Can I sow cook it for 6 hours and then take it out to brown it of in the oven for about 30 minutes then I would have the gravy from the slow cooker and the juice from the roasting top quality gravy
Jenny
I would think so. I have never done it that way round but can't see it being a problem. It's a great recipe for beef and I do it most Sundays. I can't see it ever changing either. Enjoy!