Mom’s 3 Packet Slow Cooker Roast Beef

This 3-Packet Slow Cooker Roast Beef recipe comes from Mom, and it’s one of those wonderfully simple recipes that reminds me how good uncomplicated home cooking can be.

Mom made it a while back and shared a generous amount with us. Is there any better gift than homemade food from Mom?

With just a lean beef roast, onions, water and three packets of seasoning mix, this easy slow cooker roast beef turns out tender, flavorful and surrounded by a savory onion gravy.

I have to admit, I was a little concerned that three seasoning packets would make it way too salty. But it wasn’t. The onions released plenty of liquid as they cooked, helping mellow the seasonings and create a delicious gravy.

It’s an easy, comforting dinner that makes enough for leftovers, too.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Just six ingredients. Nothing fancy or complicated.
• Quick to prepare. A few minutes of prep, and the slow cooker does the rest.
• Tender and flavorful. The beef cooks slowly with onions and savory seasonings.
• Makes its own gravy. The cooking juices are delicious as they are or can be thickened.
• Great for leftovers. Use the extra beef in sandwiches, soups, quesadillas and more.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into Mom’s easy slow cooker roast beef:

• Boneless rump roast: Mom used a lean rump roast, but top or bottom round roast works well, too.
• Onions: Thinly sliced onions cook down and release moisture, adding flavor to the gravy.
• Water: Combines with the seasoning mixes and onion juices to create the cooking liquid.
• Dry Italian-style salad dressing mix: Adds herbs and savory flavor.
• Dry ranch dressing mix: Gives the roast its familiar ranch-seasoned flavor.
• Dry brown gravy mix: Helps create a rich, flavorful gravy.

That’s it! Just a few pantry staples and a good piece of beef.

How to Make 3-Packet Slow Cooker Roast Beef

This recipe is especially easy because there’s no need to brown the beef before adding it to the slow cooker.

Step 1: Add the Onions and Beef

Place the thinly sliced onions in the bottom of a 4-quart slow cooker (affiliate link).

Set the beef roast on top.

Step 2: Mix the Seasonings

In a small bowl (affiliate link), whisk together the water, Italian dressing mix, ranch dressing mix and brown gravy mix until smooth.

Pour the mixture over the roast.

Step 3: Cook Until Tender

Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.

Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the roast and your slow cooker.

Step 4: Make the Gravy

Remove the roast and keep it warm.

For a thinner gravy, simply spoon the cooking juices and softened onions over the sliced beef.

If you prefer a thicker gravy, mix a little cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Stir it into the cooking liquid, cover and cook on HIGH until thickened, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Slice or shred the beef and serve with the onion gravy.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Roast Beef

Choose a lean cut of beef. Mom used rump roast, which works well for this recipe. Top or bottom round are good alternatives.

Slice the onions thinly. They’ll soften as the roast cooks, adding flavor and moisture to the gravy.

Consider the sodium. Three seasoning packets can contain quite a bit of sodium, even though the finished dish didn’t taste overly salty to me. If you’re watching your sodium intake, look for reduced-sodium seasoning mixes or use less of the seasoning.

Cook until fork-tender. Lean roasts can become dry if overcooked, so begin checking toward the end of the suggested cooking time.

Thicken the gravy if you like. A little cornstarch mixed with cold water is an easy way to turn the cooking juices into a thicker gravy.

What to Serve with 3-Packet Roast Beef

This roast beef is delicious with all kinds of simple side dishes.

For a traditional comfort-food dinner, try serving it with mashed potatoes, egg noodles or rice to soak up the gravy.

You can also make it a complete slow cooker meal by adding potatoes, carrots or parsnips. Cut them into fairly large pieces so they hold up during the long cooking time.

For a lighter meal, I like the idea of serving the beef with steamed broccoli, green beans or a simple salad.

If you’re keeping carbohydrates lower, try serving it over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.

Easy Ways to Use Leftover Roast Beef

One of the best things about making a roast is having leftovers for another meal or two.

Here are a few easy ideas:

• Hot roast beef sandwiches: Warm the beef with a little gravy and serve on toasted bread or rolls.
• Beef quesadillas: Combine chopped beef with a little shredded cheese in a tortilla and cook until crisp.
• Quick beef vegetable soup: Add leftover beef to broth with vegetables and potatoes or noodles.
• Beef pot pie: Combine the beef and gravy with mixed vegetables and top with a simple crust.
• Beef and rice bowls: Serve warmed beef over rice or cauliflower rice with vegetables.

Leftover roast beef can make the next day’s dinner almost effortless.

How Many Calories and WW Points?

According to my calculations each serving has 172 calories and 0 Points.

To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)

4 PointsPlus (Old plan)

If you’ve made this Crock Pot Roast Beef, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

More Easy Slow Cooker Roast Recipes

If you enjoy simple, comforting slow cooker dinners like this one, here are a few more recipes to try:

• Slow Cooker Pot Roast Italian Style – Another easy roast with Italian-inspired flavor.
• Easy-Peasy Slow Cooker Pot Roast – A fuss-free pot roast for busy days.
• Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Prunes – A delicious combination of savory pork and sweet dried fruit.
• Slow Cooker Irish Stew – A hearty, comforting meal for cooler weather.
• Slow Cooker Balsamic Braised Beef – Tender beef with rich balsamic flavor.

Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones we return to again and again.

If you try Mom’s 3-Packet Slow Cooker Roast Beef, I’d love to hear how you liked it. And if you have a favorite recipe passed along by your mom or grandmother, I’d love to hear about that, too!