A delightful recipe for Slow Cooker Caramelized Onion Beef Bites, featuring tender beef cubes simmered in a rich caramelized onion gravy.
Author:Lorenzo Bonucci
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:6-8 hours on LOW or 3-4 hours on HIGH
Total Time:6-8 hours 20 minutes
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Slow Cooking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into bite-sized cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
Fresh chopped parsley (optional)
Fresh thyme (optional)
Instructions
Season the beef: Place the beef cubes in a bowl. Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Toss until evenly coated.
Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides. Transfer to the slow cooker.
Caramelize the onions: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft, golden brown, and sweet. Add a splash of beef broth if the onions begin sticking.
Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Prepare the sauce: Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, and brown sugar. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet.
Combine everything: Pour the onion mixture over the beef in the slow cooker. Gently stir to coat the beef.
Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
Thicken the gravy: Mix cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl until smooth. Stir the mixture into the slow cooker during the last 20–30 minutes of cooking. Cover and cook until the gravy thickens.
Adjust seasoning: Taste the gravy and add more salt or black pepper if needed.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley or thyme. Serve warm with plenty of caramelized onion gravy.
Notes
Use beef chuck roast for the most tender, flavorful bites.
Brown the beef before slow cooking to develop a deeper savory flavor.
Don’t rush the onions. Proper caramelization gives the gravy its natural sweetness.
Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid too often because it releases heat.
For extra richness, stir in 1 tablespoon of butter just before serving.