Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan

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If you’re craving a warm, hearty, and comforting dinner that practically cooks itself, this Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan is the perfect recipe. It’s rich, savory, tender, and loaded with old-fashioned homestyle flavor. This dish turns simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying meal, making it one of the best Crockpot recipes for beef when you want something filling and fuss-free. With shredded beef, thick slices of soft bread, creamy mashed potatoes, and a silky brown gravy, this recipe delivers everything you love about classic comfort food—but easier.

Roadmap

  1. Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan

  2. Ingredients You Need

  3. How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan

  4. Tips for the Best Beef Manhattan

  5. Serving Ideas

  6. FAQs

  7. Final Thoughts

1. Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan

There’s a reason this dish is a Midwestern diner classic. Beef Manhattan is simple, warm, and incredibly satisfying. When made in a Crock Pot, it becomes even easier. The slow cooker transforms the beef into tender, fall-apart bites that melt into a rich, savory gravy.

This recipe fits perfectly into:
Crockpot dishes
Crockpot recipes slow cooker
Dinner recipes Crockpot
Crock Pot cooking

Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, meal prepping, or looking for something cozy during cold weather, this dish delivers every time.

2. Ingredients You Need

To make this flavorful meal, you only need basic ingredients:

For the Beef

  • Chuck roast or stew beef

  • Onion

  • Garlic

  • Beef broth

  • Worcestershire sauce

  • Garlic powder

  • Onion powder

  • Paprika

  • Dried thyme

  • Salt & pepper

For the Gravy

  • Cornstarch

  • Water

For Serving

  • Thick bread (Texas toast, brioche, or white sandwich bread)

  • Mashed potatoes (classic for Beef Manhattan!)

  • Fresh parsley

These simple pantry staples create a deep, rich, slow-cooked flavor that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan

This Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan is the ultimate comfort-food classic made easier than ever. Tender shredded beef, rich brown gravy, and thick slices of buttery bread come together to create a warm, hearty, and nostalgic meal. Let your slow cooker do all the work as the beef simmers low and slow, soaking up deep savory flavor.Perfect for busy weeknights, cold-weather dinners, or cozy weekends, this Crockpot-style Beef Manhattan is a no-fuss, family-friendly dish that delivers soul-soothing satisfaction in every bite.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • For the Beef
  • 2 lbs chuck roast or stew beef
  • 1 medium onion sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • For the Gravy
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • For Serving
  • Thick sliced white bread Texas toast, or brioche
  • Mashed potatoes optional but classic
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Prepare slow cooker: Lightly grease the bottom or use a liner for easy cleanup.
  • Season beef: Sprinkle the roast with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Add ingredients to Crockpot: Place sliced onions on the bottom, then lay the seasoned beef on top. Add garlic, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme.
  • Slow cook:
  • Low: 6–8 hours
  • High: 3–4 hours
  • Cook until the beef is extremely tender and easily shreds with a fork.
  • Shred the beef: Remove beef to a plate and shred using two forks. Return shredded beef to the slow cooker.
  • Make the gravy: In a small cup, whisk cornstarch with water. Stir into the slow cooker and let cook for 10–15 minutes, or until the gravy thickens.
  • Assemble the Beef Manhattan:
  • Place a slice of bread on a plate.
  • Add a scoop of mashed potatoes in the center (optional but traditional).
  • Spoon shredded beef and gravy on top.
  • Finish with an additional drizzle of gravy.
  • Serve hot: Garnish with parsley and enjoy this cozy, homestyle dish.

Notes

If you prefer a thicker gravy, add an additional 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water.
Chuck roast gives the best texture, but stew meat also works well.
Add mushrooms for extra flavor and heartiness.
Leftovers reheat beautifully and can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Serve the beef mixture over noodles or rice for another delicious meal option.

3. How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan

This recipe is beautifully simple—your Crock Pot does all the work.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the slow cooker.
Spray with cooking spray or use a liner for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Add onions and beef.
Lay sliced onions in the bottom of the Crock Pot. Place the seasoned chuck roast on top.

Step 3: Add broth and seasonings.
Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Step 4: Slow cook.
Cook on Low for 6–8 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until the beef is extremely tender.

Step 5: Shred the beef.
Remove the roast, shred with two forks, and return it to the slow cooker.

Step 6: Make the gravy.
Whisk cornstarch with water and stir it into the broth. Let simmer for 10–15 minutes until thick.

Step 7: Assemble the Beef Manhattan.
Place a slice of bread on a plate, add mashed potatoes, top with shredded beef, and spoon the gravy over everything.

It’s classic, cozy, and incredibly delicious.


4. Tips for the Best Beef Manhattan

To make your Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan perfect every time:

Use chuck roast — It becomes fall-apart tender and flavorful.
Don’t skip the onions — They melt into the gravy and add rich flavor.
Let the gravy thicken fully — This gives the dish its signature silky texture.
Keep the bread thick — Texas toast or brioche holds up beautifully.
Add more seasoning if needed — Taste before serving and adjust salt or pepper.
Meal-prep friendly — The beef reheats perfectly for lunches all week.


5. Serving Ideas

Traditionally, Beef Manhattan is served “open faced,” meaning:

  1. A slice of thick bread

  2. Mashed potatoes in the center

  3. A generous scoop of slow-cooked beef

  4. Smothered in rich brown gravy

You can also serve the beef:

  • Over egg noodles

  • Over rice

  • On top of baked potatoes

  • With roasted vegetables

  • Inside sliders as a party food idea

Want to stretch the meal further? Double the gravy—trust me, it disappears fast!


6. FAQs

What is Beef Manhattan?

It’s a classic Midwestern comfort dish made with shredded roast beef, mashed potatoes, and gravy served over thick bread.

Can I use ground beef instead of roast?

Yes! It won’t have the same shredded texture, but ground beef Manhattan is also delicious.

Can I freeze this recipe?

Absolutely. The beef and gravy freeze well for up to 3 months.

Do I have to add mashed potatoes?

Traditionally yes, but you can serve it with rice, noodles, or roasted potatoes.

Can I add vegetables?

Carrots, mushrooms, or celery can be added for extra flavor.

7. Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Beef Manhattan is the ultimate comfort dish—rich, hearty, and incredibly satisfying. With tender beef, flavorful gravy, and the classic bread-and-mashed-potato base, this recipe brings nostalgic home-cooking right to your dinner table.

It’s budget-friendly, family-friendly, and perfect for anyone who loves warm, cozy, slow-cooked meals. If you enjoy Crockpot recipes beef, Crockpot dishes, or slow cooker comfort food, this dish will become a new favorite in your weekly rotation.

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