Weight Watchers Recipe of the Day: Slow Cooker Balsamic Braised Beef
Here’s another quick and easy slow cooker recipe that was a big hit when I made it several weeks ago.
Lean beef roast and onions combined with balsamic vinegar, tomato paste and a bit of instant tapioca for thickening.
Delicious!

Easy Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef
Skinny on Slow Cooker Balsamic Braised Beef
This slow cooker balsamic braised beef can be served on its own, or over rice, mashed potatoes, or cauliflower mash, cauliflower rice, or zucchini noodles if you’re watching your carbs and/or SmartPoints.
A green salad and/or vegetable makes the perfect side dish.
The flavor of the balsamic really comes through, so if you’re not a fan you may want to use less. If it turns out to tart for your tastes, you can soften it by adding a bit of brown sugar or maple syrup, just adjust your points accordingly.
According to my calculations, each serving has 159 calories, *4 Weight Watchers PointsPlus, *4 Weight Watchers SmartPoints.
The key to keeping the points low is choosing a lean cut of beef such as eye of the round or rump.
Lean stew beef would also work, but would be done sooner.
Enjoy!
More Weight Watchers Friendly Beef Recipes
Are You Ready To Slow Cook Yourself Slim?
Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef Recipe Variations
chicken – replace beef with 4 skinless chicken drumsticks, legs, or thighs
pork – replace beef ribs with boneless pork
more veg – chopped carrots, celery, sliced mushrooms would be good
Here’s a video demonstration showing another way to make slow cooker balsamic glazed roast beef:
If you like this skinny slow cooker balsamic beef, be sure to check out my other easy, healthy Weight Watchers friendly recipes including Slow Cooker Beef with Mushroom Sauce, Mom’s 3-Packet Slow Cooker Roast Beef, 3-Ingredient Crock Pot Italian Beef, Asian Braised Beef and Salsa Verde Beef.

Quick and easy, this slow cooker balsamic beef cooks up tender and flavorful!
- 1-1/2 pounds lean beef (lean stew meat, eye of the round roast, rump roast, etc.)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 large onion, peeled and diced
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves
- 1-2 tablespoons instant granulated tapioca (optional thickener)
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Ideal slow cooker size: 4-Quart.
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Season the beef with salt and pepper. (Or my favorite, Montreal Steak Seasoning.)
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Place beef in the slow cooker with the onions, balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, bay leaves and tapioca, if using.
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Cover and cook on LOW until meltingly tender, 8 to 10 hours. (This will vary depending on the size of your slow cooker, size of beef, and how hot your slow cooker cooks.)
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To cook in the oven instead, add in a cup of water, cover and bake at 250F degrees for 6-8 hours, or until the beef is meltingly tender. Add in a little more water if the beef starts to dry out.
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Taste, season with salt and pepper if needed, and serve hot with your chosen accompaniments.
*4 Weight Watchers PointsPlus
*4 Weight Watchers SmartPoints

*PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT Weight Watchers Zero Points fruits and vegetables using the WW Recipe Builder.
Even More Lightened Up Slow Cooker Beef Recipes
Slow Cooker Balsamic Shredded Beef (OrganizeYourselfSkinny)
Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef Roast (SlenderKitchen)
Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy on Mashed Potatoes (MealPlanningMommies)
Skinny Crock Pot Tomato Beef Macaroni Stew (SkinnyKitchen)
Slow Cooker Beef Tips (LaaLoosh)
Salisbury Steak Meatballs (SkinnyTaste)
Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Beef (EmilyBites)
Slow Cooker Spicy Braised Beef (SlenderKitchen)
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Ginger
I’m making this tomorrow. Do you have a pressure cooker, and if so what time should I cook this?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Ginger, I’ve never tried this with a pressure cooker, so I’m not able to suggest a cook time. If you try it, let us know what you discover. – Martha
Gina
80 minutes in a pressure cooker
Zuli
Can you cook this recipe on HIGH for 4 hours?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Zuli,
I haven’t tried it but think it should be fine. Let us know how it turns out if you make it. Thanks!