What to Do With Overcooked Tough Beef

You look the slow cooker to deliver a tender roast, right? But when it doesn't, this is how to fix tough meat in the slow cooker.

Your dull cooker tin requite you a autumn-autonomously tender roast or a tough, dry and inedible meal. Information technology'south important to know the answers to these questions. Are yous using the right type of meat? What about the correct temperature? Do yous have enough liquid in the crock? Lots of factors affect the quality of your dish.

Here'south what you need to make tender meat in a wearisome cooker—and how to set things when the recipe goes awry.

How to Avoid Dry or Tough Meat

Choose the Right Cuts

The best cuts of meat for a slow cooker are well-marbled and fat. This can include meat on the bone, too. In other words, y'all want to skip the boneless, skinless craven breasts!

Here's what we recommend:

• Beef: Look for cuts similar chuck roast, stew beef and brisket.
• Pork: Cull shoulder or pork ribs.
• Chicken: The best option for the slow cooker is chicken thighs.

It helps that tougher cuts are often less expensive, so they're perfect for dinners on a upkeep.

Add Just Enough Liquid

Your slow cooker needs liquid to create a moist environment, and that can include meat or vegetable stock, wine or water. This doesn't mean the meat should be submerged; a cup or 2 of liquid will exist plenty, since the cooker is covered and liquids stay trapped inside.

If you desire the dish to exist saucy, or you're making a stew, add enough liquid to come about i/3 of the way up on the meats in the slow cooker. This allows your meat to braise, not boil. Boiling creates tough meat!

Be Patient

Check the dish halfway through. But don't lift the lid. Doing so lets heat and moisture escape, putting the texture of your meat at risk.

Cook Low and Dull

Place your meat on the lesser of the slow cooker, so information technology's closest to the heat source. Add together your other ingredients and liquids, so set your cooker to "low." Programme for 6-9 hours of cooking fourth dimension. This long, boring braise breaks downwardly the connective tissue and fat, creating deliciously soft and juicy meat.

Why is meat withal tough in the slow cooker? It's because you oasis't let the collagen break downwardly. Extend the melt fourth dimension, make sure at that place's enough liquid and keep an eye on the dish.

Does meat get more tender the longer you melt it in a slow cooker? Non if you're using a leaner cut in the slow cooker, like chicken chest or pork chops. To help keep these cuts moist, decrease the melt time to two-4 hours.

How to Set up Dry or Tough Meat

You may be able to salve a roast that's dry by adding more liquid. However, for meat that's tough, nosotros like to repurpose information technology instead. Let the meat absurd, then employ forks or your fingers to pull the overcooked meat into shreds. And so, use the meat to create new dishes. Add information technology to a sauce and gently simmer for recipes like pulled pork or a zesty, spicy chicken chili.

Our Best Slow Cooker Chuck Roast Recipes

Cook-in-Your-Oral fissure Chuck Roast

My hubby and I similar chuck roast recipes, so this tedious-cooked recipe is terrific. Yous'll also love how flavorful and tender this comforting beef chuck roast turns out. —Bette McCumber, Schenectady, New York

Contest-Winning Mushroom Pot Roast

Wow! The wine-warmed flavors in this recipe are astonishing! Packed with wholesome veggies and tender beef, this is one company-special dish all ages will like. Serve with mashed potatoes to enjoy every concluding driblet of the rich, beefy gravy. —Angie Stewart, Topeka, Kansas

Shredded French Dip

A chuck roast slow-simmered in a beefy broth is succulent when shredded and spooned onto rolls. I serve the cooking juices in private cups for dipping. —Carla Kimball, Callaway, Nebraska

Dull-Cooker Sauerbraten

My family is of German language Lutheran descent, and although we bask this traditional beef roast, I never liked the amount of time and fuss it takes to make it. This recipe is and then skilful and oh-and so-easy. It's groovy served with dumplings, spaetzle, veggies or a salad. —Norma English, Baden, Pennsylvania

Mom'southward Italian Beef Sandwiches

My mom made the best Italian beefiness. I've added to it over the years, but it'due south still her recipe. She made these sandwiches for family unit reunions, and there were never leftovers. —Mary McVey, Colfax, North Carolina

Republic of chile Colorado Burritos

When I was growing upwards in Southern California, this was one of my favorite Mexican dishes. It's hard to notice now that I alive in the Midwest—except in my kitchen! —Kelly McCulley, Des Moines, Iowa

Dull-Cooker Chipotle Beef Carnitas

I came upwardly with this recipe while trying to figure out what I could practice with a pot roast that had been in the freezer. At present I keep the rub in a plastic bag, ready and waiting in my closet, and I tin get the roast in the slow cooker in less than 15 minutes. —Ann Piscitelli, Nokomis, Florida

Dull-Cooker Faux Prime number Rib Roast

This is my starting time original recipe, inspired by a dandy vacation dinner with friends. I wanted to run across if I could do something like with a less expensive cutting of meat. The Faux Prime Rib Roast can too exist baked in a covered Dutch oven at 350° for nearly 1-1/2 hours or until 165°. The beef is too delicious served with regular or horseradish mashed potatoes. —Kimberly Kuhlman, Bryan, Texas

Slow-Cooker Beefiness Tips Burgundy

Here's a heartwarming classic that'due south so simple in the slow cooker. Mushrooms, red wine and tender beef make for an like shooting fish in a barrel, elegant supper. —Deanna Zewen, Marriage Grove, Wisconsin

Root Vegetable Pot Roast

During the hectic holiday flavour, I brand this roast a lot. Nosotros've scarfed information technology downward before and after shopping, and while wrapping presents. Root vegetables and roast beef brand everyone feel cozy and calm. —Pat Dazis, Charlotte, N Carolina

Beef Daube Provencal

This dish is perfect on cold wintertime days, especially later nosotros have been out cutting woods or white-tail hunting. If you are lucky enough to have venison, try it here for melt-in-your-rima oris goodness. —Brenda Ryan, Marshall, Missouri

Dilly Beefiness Sandwiches

My younger sister shared this recipe with me. Information technology puts a twist on the traditional barbecue sandwich and has been proven to be a crowd pleaser. Plus, information technology's incredibly convenient to make in the slow cooker. —Donna Blankenheim, Madison, Wisconsin

Roast Beef and Gravy

This wearisome-cooker roast beef and gravy is unbelievably like shooting fish in a barrel. On busy days, I put this main dish in the crock and forget most it. My family likes information technology with mashed potatoes and fruit salad. —Abby Metzger, Larchwood, Iowa

Spice-Braised Pot Roast

But cascade these ingredients over your pot roast and let the slow cooker practice the piece of work. Herbs and spices give the beefiness an excellent taste. I often serve this roast over noodles or with mashed potatoes, using the juices as a gravy. —Loren Martin, Big Cabin, Oklahoma

Sweet 'n' Tangy Pot Roast

I fixed this roast the first fourth dimension I cooked for my husbandhoped-for more xx years ago. For dessert, I fabricated chocolate pudding spooned over marshmallow. He thought he'd died and gone to heaven! —Carol Mulligan, Honeoye Falls, New York

Melt-in-Your-Oral cavity Pot Roast

Tiresome-simmered and seasoned with rosemary, mustard and thyme, this tender and tasty crock pot roast and potatoes recipe is so easy to brand and always a striking. Substitute burgundy or brandy plus a one-half-cup of water for the goop…the olfactory property of this English roast recipe is wonderful! —Jeannie Klugh, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Southwestern Beefiness Tortillas

Beef chuck roast makes a savory filling in satisfying tortillas. Cooked to tender perfection in the dull cooker, the beef is treated to an easy and delicious jalapeno-flavored sauce. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan

Chipotle Shredded Beef

This beef is delicious whether you serve it all rolled upward in a tortilla, with corn salsa in a burrito, in a bun or over rice or mashed potatoes. So many options! —Darcy Williams, Omaha, Nebraska

Machaca Beef Dip Sandwiches

The winning combination of beef, cumin, chili powder and the spicy rut of chipotle peppers makes these sandwiches game-day food at its finest! —Karol Chandler-Ezell, Nacogdoches, Texas

Ho-hum Cooker Beef Vegetable Stew

Come home to warm comfort nutrient! This vegetable beef stew is based on my mom'south wonderful recipe, just I adjusted it for the slow cooker. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan to each bowl for a nice finishing touch. —Marcella Westward, Washburn, Illinois

Garlic Lover's Beef Stew

Vino gives a mellow flavor to this beef and carrot stew. Nosotros like to serve it over mashed potatoes, but y'all could also use noodles. —Alissa Brown, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania

Ho-hum-Cooker Pot Roast

I piece of work full time, so this slow cooker roast beef is my get-to when I want a hearty, abode cooked meal. Information technology'due south a condolement to walk in and aroma this simmering wearisome cooker pot roast that I know will exist autumn-apart tender and delicious. —Gina Jackson, Ogdensburg, New York

Pot Roast Hash

I love to cook a Sun-manner pot roast on a weeknight. Make information technology into pot roast hash for any mean solar day of the week. —Gina Jackson, Ogdensburg, New York

Dull-Cooker Barbacoa

My husband adores this barbacoa, which is beefiness roast simmered in lime juice, chipotle and cumin. He would consume it one a week if I would make information technology that often! We have it over rice with cilantro and a spritz of lime. —Aundrea McCormick, Denver, Colorado

Shredded Beef Burrito Filling

Make your side by side office political party a taco bar or burrito bar! Set out the beef in the ho-hum cooker on warm, along with tortillas, bowls of shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream, and chopped lettuce, jalapenos, onions and tomatoes. For a variation, I make Beef & Bean burritos by mixing a can of refried beans into 3 or 4 cups of cooked beef filling. —Hope Wasylenki, Gahanna, Ohio

Thai Kokosnoot Beefiness

My husband and I love Thai food, but going out on weeknights tin can exist challenging with decorated schedules. I wanted to create a Thai-inspired dinner that could double as an piece of cake lunch the following day. The beef is fantastic in this dish, but chicken or pork would be equally delicious! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Balsamic Beef Hoagies

All my boys (big and pocket-size) like sandwiches, and balsamic beefiness is a welcome change from pulled barbecue chicken. We use leftovers in quesadillas, on pizza or with rice. You can detect more family-friendly recipes at my blog, theseasonedmom.com. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia

Beef Barbecue

Nosotros like to keep our freezer stocked with plenty of beef roasts. When we're not in the mood for pot roast, I ready these satisfying sandwiches instead. The meat cooks in a tasty sauce while I'k work. The meat cooks in a tasty sauce while I'thousand at work. Then I just shred the beefiness and serve it on rolls. —Karen Walker Sterling, Virginia

Favorite Italian Beef Sandwiches

I'm a paramedic/firefighter, and ho-hum-cooked recipes like this one suit my unpredictable schedule. My husband and children and the hungry agglomeration at the firehouse love these robust sandwiches that have a little nothing. —Kris Swihart, Perrysburg, Ohio

Moroccan Braised Beefiness

Curry powder is a alloy of upward to twenty spices, herbs and seeds. Add a pinch of back-scratch to your favorite soups, stews, salads and even rice for an exotic season. In this Moroccan stew, begin with 2 teaspoons of curry, so add together more to your sense of taste. —Gustation of Dwelling Test Kitchen

Flavorful Pot Roast

On hectic days, this is so quick and easy to prep! Convenient packages of dressing and gravy combine to create a sauce worthy of a autumn-apart roast. For a filling meal-in-one, serve with mashed potatoes and ladle the juices over top. —Arlene Butler, Ogden, Utah

Cajun-Style Pot Roast

I often makes this zippy roast when expecting dinner guests. It gives me fourth dimension to visit with them, and even my friend who'southward a chef enjoys this dish. —Ginger Menzies, Oak Creek, Colorado

Slow-Cooked Caribbean Pot Roast

This dish is definitely a year-round recipe. Sweetness potatoes, orangish zest and baking cocoa are my surprise ingredients. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

Top-Rated Italian Pot Roast

I'one thousand always getting recipe inspiration from newspapers and magazines. Here's a tender roast with aromatic spices that give it a Moroccan experience. —Karen Burdell, Lafayette, Colorado

Spicy Shredded Beef Sandwiches

If you similar your shredded beef with a petty kick, then this recipe is for you. For an even zestier version of this recipe, add another jar of jalapenos or utilise hot peppers instead of the pepperocinis. —Kristen Langmeier, Faribault, Minnesota

Stout & Honey Beef Roast

Here'due south a heartwarming meal that's ideal for chilly days and hectic nights. Honey, beer and seasonings make the sauce unlike and oh-so-good. —Taste of Home Exam Kitchen

Chicago-Way Beef Rolls

I have fond memories of eating these large, messy sandwiches at a neighbor's house when I was growing up. Freeze extras and save for another meal, besides! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Mexican Shredded Beef Wraps

The kickoff time I served these wrap sandwiches was at the party post-obit my son's baptism. Everyone liked them and then much that it'southward become i of my go-to ho-hum-cooker recipes. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Sweet & Tangy Beefiness Roast

While cleaning out the fridge I found barbecue sauce, red pepper jelly and hoisin sauce – the perfect trio for creating this this slightly tangy and sugariness, utterly delicious roast. —Rachel Van Orden, Annville, Pennsylvania

Coffee-Braised Roast Beef

This recipe has been a family tradition since 1974. The meat is quick and flavorful, so it'south a nice welcome home afterward a long solar day of piece of work. The coffee adds an intriguing flavor to the roast, and the juices can be thickened for a succulent gravy.—Nancy Schuler, Belle Fourche, South Dakota

Philly Cheese Sandwiches

I'one thousand a large fan of cheesesteaks, and in this throw-together recipe my irksome cooker does all the work. It's a win-win. —Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio

Wearisome-Cooker Shredded Beef Lettuce Cups

The slow cooker is our summertime go-to for cool kitchen cooking. Subsequently swim lessons and outdoor activities, it's so nice to come back to a tasty, light dinner. If you can't find Bibb or Boston, light-green foliage lettuce is less sturdy but can work in a pinch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Horseradish Pot Roast

Nosotros tasted a dish similar to this while at a horseradish festival in Illinois. I like to serve it over noodles. The recipe is easily adaptable for stovetop cooking, too. —Barbara White, Katy, Texas

Teriyaki Beefiness Roast

My father and I created this pot roast with a hint of Japanese flair. It will make your sense of taste buds dance! effort this for family unit or visitor. —Mary Flurkey, Golden, Colorado

Slow-Cooked Beef Enchiladas

Enchiladas get a bulky boost of goodness from boring-cooked roast. When the meat is washed, assemble with tortillas and bake. Elevation with lettuce and tomatoes if desired. —Taste of Habitation Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Shredded Green Chile Beef

This Tex-Mex pulled beef roast is tender, slightly spicy, juicy, and so delicious served over mashed potatoes or rice. The beef also makes the best soft tacos you lot've ever had. Save whatsoever leftover pulled beefiness in the liquid to prevent it from drying out. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

Tangy Barbecue Sandwiches

Since I prepare the beefiness for these robust sandwiches in the tedious cooker, it's easy to set up a repast for a hungry bunch. The savory homemade sauce assures I come home with no leftovers. —Debbi Smith, Crossett, Arkansas

Slow-Cooked Coffee Pot Roast

My family unit raves almost my gravy when I prepare this recipe. Whenever I'm angling for compliments, this pot roast is a sure hit! —Janet Dominick, Bagley, Minnesota

Special Boring-Cooked Beef

This hearty entree is easy to set up for Sunday dinner. While the beefiness is deadening cooking, the melt has lots of time to attend to the other details. With mashed potatoes on the side, it's comfort food for the cool months alee. —Juli George, Grandville, Michigan

Shredded Beef au Jus

My mom institute this recipe in a subcontract journal soon afterward she and my dad got married. The tender beef has been a family favorite for years, and my dad often requests it. —Danielle Brandt, Ruthton, Minnesota

French Dip Tacos

I came up with this idea when we had a dab of leftover French dip. So much fun and a nice twist to leftovers. These are also good with a piffling hot sauce on the side! —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey

Mediterranean Pot Roast Dinner

I commencement made this recipe one cold wintertime twenty-four hour period. My family (adults, kids and dogs) were having a nail sledding and playing in the snow all 24-hour interval, and when we came inside supper was ready! This pot roast is perfect served with mashed potatoes, rice or dinner rolls. —Holly Battiste, Barrington, New Jersey

Soy-Ginger Pot Roast

My married man really likes roast beef, and I actually similar my tedious cooker. I brought in Asian influences for an all-twenty-four hour period pot roast with some oomph. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas

Moroccan Pot Roast

My married man loves meat and I dear veggies, so we're both happy with this spicy twist on beefy pot roast. With garbanzo beans, eggplant, beloved and mint, it's similar something yous'd swallow at a Marrakech bazaar. —Catherine Dempsey, Clifton Park, New York

Savory Beef Sandwiches

Before heading to piece of work in the morning, I'll get this going in the tedious cooker. Then it's all ready to serve—usually with hard rolls and murphy salad or some other salad—as soon as my husband and I walk in. When my son moved to another state recently, I cut upwardly beef roast in smaller portions, repackaged it and sent seasonings for a ii-person boring cooker as his housewarming present. —Lynn Williamson, Hayward, Wisconsin

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Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-fix-tough-meat-in-slow-cooker/

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