Slow Cooker Beef with Caramelized Onions

Transform your weeknight dinners with this mouthwatering Slow Cooker Beef with Caramelized Onions—a hearty, effortlessly tender dish that combines rich, savory flavors with a touch of sweetness. Featuring a slow-braised beef chuck roast nestled atop golden, deeply caramelized onions, this recipe is elevated with the richness of balsamic vinegar, a hint of brown sugar, and aromatic garlic. The slow cooker does all the hard work, ensuring the beef is perfectly juicy and fall-apart tender. This dish pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes, buttery noodles, or crusty bread to soak up every drop of the flavorful cooking juices. With a prep time of just 25 minutes, this cozy and comforting meal is perfect for busy days, family gatherings, or make-ahead meal planning.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:480 mins

Total Time:505 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 pounds beef chuck roast
• 4 medium yellow onions
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 large garlic cloves
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Peel the onions and slice them into thin, even half-moons.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes until deeply golden and caramelized. Reduce the heat slightly if needed to prevent burning.

Step 3

While the onions are caramelizing, mince the garlic cloves and set them aside.

Step 4

Season the beef chuck roast generously on both sides with the remaining salt and black pepper.

Step 5

Once the onions are caramelized, remove them from the skillet and transfer them to the slow cooker. In the same skillet, sear the beef roast on both sides for 3-4 minutes per side until browned. This step is optional but adds depth of flavor.

Step 6

Place the seared beef on top of the caramelized onions in the slow cooker.

Step 7

In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, and dried thyme. Pour this mixture over the beef and onions.

Step 8

Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for 8 hours (or on high for 4-5 hours), until the beef is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.

Step 9

Once cooked, carefully remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred or slice as desired.

Step 10

Serve the tender beef with the caramelized onions and a few spoonfuls of the cooking juices from the slow cooker. Pair with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or crusty bread for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2145.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3952.8

Total Fat 301.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 113.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 1020.6mg	0%
Sodium 5282.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 66.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.3g	0%
Total Sugars 32.3g
Protein 254.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 321.3mg	0%
Iron 38.6mg	0%
Potassium 4666.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 67.9%

Protein: 25.5%

Carbs: 6.6%