Slow Cooker Beef Joint

Like most things, I have come late in life to the Slow Cooker but I am absolutely revelling in it’s many fabulous foodie facets. This amazing recipe for a Slow Cooker Beef Joint has knocked me bandy.

I am usually a Roast Beef Brisket girl through and through when cooking Roast Beef but I used Silverside here in the Slow Cooker, as it was on an half price offer and it was seriously good. So good in fact that I promptly went out and bought another of these joints to freeze for next time.

I do cook Brisket in the slow cooker like this all the time too. In fact it is my preferred method these days. I always make sure I buy the chunkier end which is less fatty. Brisket is a real beef taste sensation because of the fat running through it. The gravy is sensational although do drain off some of the fat if it is too much in the gravy. I don’t usually.

If I do then I then keep the small amount of excess fat in a mug in the fridge and use for the roast potatoes or to add in my Slow Cooker Beef Casserole at another time. Brisket needs usually  9 hours on Low in the Slow Cooker though and it cannot be cooked for 4-5 hours on High as it will still be tough. Long and slow for Brisket.

Topside is another good choice and one that is often on offer at the supermarkets. I like to buy when discounted and freeze. 

So my own flavour preference here for a Beef Joint is :

1. Brisket (9 hours Low)
2. Silverside
3. Topside

Oftentimes though  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.

I have found that even with different pieces of meat cut from within the same areas of the cow e.g Topside or Silverside, there can be a real difference in how long the particular pieces of meat need to be cooked to become tender, just because individual joints are more or less tender right from the beginning.

You can feel how tender it is really by just squeezing it in the packet. The softer it is in the beginning the less time it will take to become tender when cooked. However this only helps you if you are flexible with your cooking schedule. If you just want to stick to the standard cooking times and get on with your life then do. No harm will come to the joint.

Here is a great article on the different cuts of beef. Scroll down for the British Guide.

 

How To Cook Slow Cooker Roast Beef and Gravy

Basically you have 2 options. Cook for 4/5 hours on High or 7/8 hours on Low (9 hours Low for Brisket). Use your time constraints to make your choice.

I personally prefer to cook this for 8/9 hours rather than 4 /5 hours as it produces softer 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.

So you could cook it the day before and reheat. 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). I then put the slices back in the slow cooker an hour before I need it hot and cover with gravy and reheat it on high until it is piping hot. So damn easy. I highly recommend this method.

The other alternative is to simply have a later lunch or even supper. Or, as mentioned above, cook for 4/5 hours on High (not Brisket).

 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.

Cooking a Joint of Beef, whatever the cut, in the Slow Cooker for 4-9 hours is never going to give you pink, bloody beef but it will give you beautifully soft and tender beef that is full of flavour.

The boon here is, of course, the complete simpleness of it. Put it in your slow cooker,, put your feet up and hours later you have the centrepiece of a fabulous meal.

What To Serve Slow Cooker Beef Joint With.

I have served it as a Sunday Lunch Roast Beef here and this is in fact the way I 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 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.

You could also 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.

You could also serve this beef joint with creamy mash, lots of gravy and vegetables.

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 Beef Joint Recipe

I’m afraid I DON’T like my beef gravy to have anything else other than beef in it but I do understand that most do. So I have added a 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. But you don’t have to either.

Feel free to add your favourite flavours. Jamie Oliver would have bay leaves and rosemary tucked in there I’m sure.

• Obviously the joint requires a jolly good salt and peppering on all sides before being seared 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 30 minutes to sear instead of the frying pan.

• Place the beef in the slow cooker on top of the vegetables and pour in 500 mls of hot Beef Stock.
• Set the timer on low 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). 

• When you are ready for the joint, remove and rest for at least 30 minutes. Ideally 71 C internal temperature
• I then cover mine in silver foil.
• Meanwhile remove all the vegetables from the remaining liquid and decant the liquid into a saucepan. Discard those cooked vegetables.
• Put two heaped teaspoons 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

• 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. 
• 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.

IF YOU LIKE THIS RECIPE YOU MAY LIKE

Slow Cooker Roast Chicken

Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne

Slow Cooker Gammon Joint

Slow Cooker Beef Casserole

 

Here is another incredibly easy and delicious slow cooker recipe.

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese