There is something especially comforting about a simple slow cooker supper, and this one reminds me of the kind of dependable roast dinners that carried busy farm families through chilly Midwestern evenings. A whole beef petite tender turns wonderfully soft with hardly any fuss at all, and with just three more pantry ingredients, you get rich gravy, tender slices of beef, and that deep cooked-all-day flavor that makes the whole house smell like somebody has been taking care of things.
Serve this fall-apart beef over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or fluffy rice so none of that savory cooking liquid goes to waste. On the side, I like green beans, glazed carrots, or simple corn, and if you have a crusty piece of bread or a warm biscuit for sopping up the juices, all the better.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Fall-Apart Beef Petite Tender
Servings: 4 to 6
Ingredients
1 whole beef petite tender roast, about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds
Directions
1. Place the whole beef petite tender in the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the onion soup mix, condensed mushroom soup, and beef broth until combined, then pour the mixture over the beef.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is very tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
4. Transfer the beef to a serving platter, spoon some of the gravy over the top, and slice or shred as desired before serving hot.
Variations & Tips
Add mushrooms: If your family likes a little extra earthiness, scatter in 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms before cooking. They melt right into the gravy and make the dish feel a bit heartier.
Thicker gravy: For a more spoon-coating gravy, remove the cooked beef and whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water, then stir it into the hot cooking liquid. Cover and cook on high for another 10 to 15 minutes.
Make it oniony: A sliced onion tucked around the roast adds sweetness and stretches the sauce nicely, especially if you plan to serve this over potatoes or noodles.
Best cooking tip: Beef petite tender is a lean cut, so low and slow is your best friend here. Check it at the earlier end of the cooking time, and once it is fork-tender, serve it promptly so it stays juicy and soft.
