Fall-Off-the-Bone Beef Bottom Round Roast in the Slow Cooker

Beef bottom round roast is an inexpensive, flavorful cut of meat that truly shines when prepared in a slow cooker. With long, slow cooking, this lean and moderately tough cut transforms into a fork-tender roast full of rich, beefy flavor. If you’re looking for a simple, budget-friendly roast that will feed the whole family, cooking beef bottom round roast in the slow cooker is sure to satisfy.

Benefits of Slow Cooking Beef Bottom Round Roast

There are several advantages to using a slow cooker for beef bottom round roast

• Requires minimal prep and hands-on cooking time. Simply season the roast, add to the slow cooker, and let it do the work over several hours.

• Helps break down the connective tissues in a tougher cut of meat. The low moist heat tenderizes the meat over time.

• Infuses the meat with lots of flavor as it braises in the cooking liquid

• Allows you to cook a large roast for a crowd with ease. Set it up in the morning and dinner is ready by dinnertime.

• More affordable than other beef roasts like ribeye or tenderloin. Great budget-friendly option.

• Slow cooking retains moisture so the roast turns out juicy and succulent every time.

With just a few minutes of prep in the morning, you’ll come home to a fork-tender roast that is irresistibly delicious. Let’s look at how to prep and cook beef bottom round roast to perfection in the slow cooker.

Tips for Choosing the Best Roast

• Look for a roast that is around 3-4 lbs to feed a group. Size down if cooking for just a couple people.

• Choose a roast with good marbling throughout for flavor and tenderness. Avoid extremely lean pieces.

• Pick roasts that have a deep red color rather than brown. Bright color indicates freshness.

• Make sure the roast has a compact shape so it cooks evenly. Irregular shapes may lead to uneven doneness.

Simple Slow Cooker Bottom Round Roast Recipe

Ready to cook up the most delicious slow cooker beef roast? Follow these easy steps:

Ingredients:

• 3-4 lb beef bottom round roast
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1⁄2 tsp paprika
• 1 onion, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth or stock
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional)

** Directions: **

1. Pat the roast dry and rub all over with olive oil. In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Generously season the roast with the spice mixture.

2. Place the sliced onion and minced garlic in the slow cooker. Set the seasoned roast directly on top.

3. In a measuring cup, mix together the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaves. Pour the liquid around the sides of the roast.

4. Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or on HIGH for 5-6 hours. Do not open the lid during cooking.

5. When done, the roast should be fall-apart tender when poked with a fork.

6. Transfer the roast to a cutting board and tent with foil.

7. Mix 2 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water. Stir into the cooking liquid to thicken into a gravy.

8. Slice the roast against the grain. Serve drizzled with the gravy.

Tips for Maximizing Flavor

• Brown the roast first in a skillet with oil to create a flavorful crust before slow cooking.

• Add root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, onions to the slow cooker. They soak up the meaty flavors.

• Include aromatics like garlic, rosemary, thyme to infuse into the meat.

• Splash in red wine or balsamic vinegar for a pop of flavor.

• Make an easy au jus by thinning the cooking juices with beef stock.

• Let roast rest 15 minutes before slicing to retain juices.

• Garnish with parsley, French fried onions, or horseradish for brightness.

Serving Suggestions

Beef bottom round roast straight out of the slow cooker will be deliciously juicy and tender. Here are some tasty ways to serve it:

• Sandwiches – Slice up the beef and pile high on hoagie rolls for perfect French dip sandwiches.

• Salad – Chill and slice the roast to top colorful mixed greens, roasted veggies, and blue cheese crumbles.

• Tacos – Shred the roast with forks and stuff into warmed tortillas or taco shells. Top with all the fixings.

• Bowl – Dice roast and add to a bowl with roasted potatoes, carrots, broth gravy for an easy one-bowl meal.

• Eggs – Chop up leftovers to make a hearty beef and egg breakfast skillet.

No matter how you serve it, beef bottom round roast cooked low and slow in the crockpot results in a super tender, juicy roast that makes the perfect entrée. For more flavor, add a slathering of horseradish, mustard, or chimichurri sauce on top.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Follow these pro tips when cooking beef bottom round roast in the slow cooker for perfect results:

• Cut slits into the top of the roast and insert slivers of garlic to infuse tons of flavor.

• Place roast atop carrots, celery and onion – their moisture helps steam the meat.

• Cook on LOW setting to properly break down the connective tissues into tender roast.

• Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness rather than relying on time.

• Let meat rest at least 10-15 minutes before slicing for juicier results.

• Slice very thinly across the grain – this makes it more tender to chew.

• Make gravy using the drippings, a thickener like cornstarch, and beef broth.

• Don’t lift the lid or you’ll lose heat and add cooking time. Patience is key!

• Shred leftovers to use in tacos, nachos, sandwiches, soups – so many options!

Common FAQs

What size roast should I use?

For a slow cooker, stick to a 3-4 lb bottom round roast to feed about 6 people. Size up or down according to your needs.

Do I need to add liquid?

Yes, at least 1 cup of broth, wine or water is needed to help braise the meat. The liquid tenderizes and flavors.

How long should I cook it?

8-10 hours on LOW or 5-6 hours on HIGH. Use a meat thermometer to confirm it’s at least 145°F.

Can I prep this the night before?

Absolutely! Season it the night before, then refrigerate and pop into the slow cooker the next morning.

Can I cook it directly from frozen?

No, always thaw beef in the fridge overnight before slow cooking to ensure food safety.

Satisfying and Simple Roast

Cooking beef bottom round roast in the slow cooker makes preparing this budget cut so easy. With minimal hands-on time, you’ll have a savory, melt-in-your-mouth roast beef dinner ready with just the flip of a switch. Experiment with different spice rubs, vegetables, and serving styles for endless variety. Impress your family with your skill at transforming a tough cut into tender perfection. This satisfying roast is sure to fill your home with amazing aromas and your tummy with old-fashioned comfort.