Does Beef in the Crock Pot Make It Tough

You expect 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 slow cooker can give you a fall-apart tender roast or a tough, dry and inedible meal. It's important to know the answers to these questions. Are you using the right type of meat? What about the right temperature? Do you have enough liquid in the crock? Lots of factors affect the quality of your dish.

Here's what you need to make tender meat in a slow cooker—and how to fix 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 fatty. This can include meat on the bone, too. In other words, you want to skip the boneless, skinless chicken breasts!

Here's what we recommend:

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

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

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 two of liquid will be enough, since the cooker is covered and liquids stay trapped inside.

If you want the dish to be saucy, or you're making a stew, add enough liquid to come about 1/3 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 Slow

Place your meat on the bottom of the slow cooker, so it's closest to the heat source. Add your other ingredients and liquids, then set your cooker to "low." Plan for 6-9 hours of cooking time. This long, slow braise breaks down the connective tissue and fat, creating deliciously soft and juicy meat.

Why is meat still tough in the slow cooker? It's because you haven't let the collagen break down. Extend the cook time, make sure there's enough liquid and keep an eye on the dish.

Does meat get more tender the longer you cook it in a slow cooker? Not if you're using a leaner cut in the slow cooker, like chicken breast or pork chops. To help keep these cuts moist, decrease the cook time to 2-4 hours.

How to Fix Dry or Tough Meat

You may be able to salvage a roast that's dry by adding more liquid. However, for meat that's tough, we like to repurpose it instead. Let the meat cool, then use forks or your fingers to pull the overcooked meat into shreds. Then, use the meat to create new dishes. Add it to a sauce and gently simmer for recipes like pulled pork or a zesty, spicy chicken chili.

Our Best Slow Cooker Chuck Roast Recipes

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Chuck Roast

My husband and I like chuck roast recipes, so this slow-cooked recipe is terrific. You'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 amazing! Packed with wholesome veggies and tender beef, this is one company-special dish all ages will like. Serve with mashed potatoes to enjoy every last drop of the rich, beefy gravy. —Angie Stewart, Topeka, Kansas

Shredded French Dip

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

Slow-Cooker Sauerbraten

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

Mom's Italian Beef Sandwiches

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

Chile Colorado Burritos

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

Slow-Cooker Chipotle Beef Carnitas

I came up with this recipe while trying to figure out what I could do with a pot roast that had been in the freezer. Now I keep the rub in a plastic bag, ready and waiting in my cupboard, and I can get the roast in the slow cooker in less than 15 minutes. —Ann Piscitelli, Nokomis, Florida

Slow-Cooker Faux Prime Rib Roast

This is my first original recipe, inspired by a great holiday dinner with friends. I wanted to see if I could do something similar with a less expensive cut of meat. The Faux Prime Rib Roast can also be baked in a covered Dutch oven at 350° for about 1-1/2 hours or until 165°. The beef is also delicious served with regular or horseradish mashed potatoes. —Kimberly Kuhlman, Bryan, Texas

Slow-Cooker Beef Tips Burgundy

Here's a heartwarming classic that's so simple in the slow cooker. Mushrooms, red wine and tender beef make for an easy, elegant supper. —Deanna Zewen, Union Grove, Wisconsin

Root Vegetable Pot Roast

During the hectic holiday season, I make this roast a lot. We've scarfed it down before and after shopping, and while wrapping presents. Root vegetables and roast beef make everyone feel cozy and calm. —Pat Dazis, Charlotte, North Carolina

Beef Daube Provencal

This dish is perfect on cold winter days, especially after we have been out cutting wood or white-tail hunting. If you are lucky enough to have venison, try it here for melt-in-your-mouth goodness. —Brenda Ryan, Marshall, Missouri

Dilly Beef Sandwiches

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

Roast Beef and Gravy

This slow-cooker roast beef and gravy is unbelievably easy. On busy days, I put this main dish in the crock and forget about it. My family likes it with mashed potatoes and fruit salad. —Abby Metzger, Larchwood, Iowa

Spice-Braised Pot Roast

Just pour these ingredients over your pot roast and let the slow cooker do the work. Herbs and spices give the beef 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 time I cooked for my husband-to-be more than 20 years ago. For dessert, I made chocolate pudding spooned over marshmallow. He thought he'd died and gone to heaven! —Carol Mulligan, Honeoye Falls, New York

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pot Roast

Slow-simmered and seasoned with rosemary, mustard and thyme, this tender and tasty crock pot roast and potatoes recipe is so easy to make and always a hit. Substitute burgundy or brandy plus a half-cup of water for the broth…the aroma of this English roast recipe is wonderful! —Jeannie Klugh, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Southwestern Beef Tortillas

Beef chuck roast makes a savory filling in satisfying tortillas. Cooked to tender perfection in the slow 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 up 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 heat of chipotle peppers makes these sandwiches game-day food at its finest! —Karol Chandler-Ezell, Nacogdoches, Texas

Slow Cooker Beef Vegetable Stew

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

Garlic Lover's Beef Stew

Wine gives a mellow flavor to this beef and carrot stew. We like to serve it over mashed potatoes, but you could also use noodles. —Alissa Brown, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania

Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

I work full time, so this slow cooker roast beef is my go-to when I want a hearty, home cooked meal. It's a comfort to walk in and smell this simmering slow cooker pot roast that I know will be fall-apart tender and delicious. —Gina Jackson, Ogdensburg, New York

Pot Roast Hash

I love to cook a Sunday-style pot roast on a weeknight. Make it into pot roast hash for any day of the week. —Gina Jackson, Ogdensburg, New York

Slow-Cooker Barbacoa

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

Shredded Beef Burrito Filling

Make your next office party a taco bar or burrito bar! Set out the beef in the slow 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 Coconut Beef

My husband and I love Thai food, but going out on weeknights can be challenging with busy schedules. I wanted to create a Thai-inspired dinner that could double as an easy 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 small) like sandwiches, and balsamic beef is a welcome change from pulled barbecue chicken. We use leftovers in quesadillas, on pizza or with rice. You can find more family-friendly recipes at my blog, theseasonedmom.com. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia

Beef Barbecue

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

Favorite Italian Beef Sandwiches

I'm a paramedic/firefighter, and slow-cooked recipes like this one suit my unpredictable schedule. My husband and children and the hungry bunch at the firehouse love these robust sandwiches that have a little zip. —Kris Swihart, Perrysburg, Ohio

Moroccan Braised Beef

Curry powder is a blend of up to 20 spices, herbs and seeds. Add a pinch of curry to your favorite soups, stews, salads and even rice for an exotic flavor. In this Moroccan stew, begin with 2 teaspoons of curry, then add more to your taste. —Taste of Home 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 fall-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 time to visit with them, and even my friend who's a chef enjoys this dish. —Ginger Menzies, Oak Creek, Colorado

Slow-Cooked Caribbean Pot Roast

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

Top-Rated Italian Pot Roast

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

Spicy Shredded Beef Sandwiches

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

Stout & Honey Beef Roast

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

Chicago-Style Beef Rolls

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

Mexican Shredded Beef Wraps

The first time I served these wrap sandwiches was at the party following my son's baptism. Everyone liked them so much that it's become one of my go-to slow-cooker recipes. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Sweet & Tangy Beef 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 sweet, 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's a nice welcome home after a long day of work. The coffee adds an intriguing flavor to the roast, and the juices can be thickened for a delicious gravy.—Nancy Schuler, Belle Fourche, South Dakota

Philly Cheese Sandwiches

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

Slow-Cooker Shredded Beef Lettuce Cups

The slow cooker is our summertime go-to for cool kitchen cooking. After 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, green leaf lettuce is less sturdy but can work in a pinch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Horseradish Pot Roast

We 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 Beef Roast

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

Slow-Cooked Beef Enchiladas

Enchiladas get a beefy boost of goodness from slow-cooked roast. When the meat is done, assemble with tortillas and bake. Top with lettuce and tomatoes if desired. —Taste of Home 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've ever had. Save any leftover pulled beef in the liquid to prevent it from drying out. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

Tangy Barbecue Sandwiches

Since I prepare the beef for these robust sandwiches in the slow cooker, it's easy to fix a meal 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 raves about my gravy when I prepare this recipe. Whenever I'm fishing for compliments, this pot roast is a sure hit! —Janet Dominick, Bagley, Minnesota

Special Slow-Cooked Beef

This hearty entree is easy to prepare for Sunday dinner. While the beef is slow cooking, the cook has lots of time to attend to the other details. With mashed potatoes on the side, it's comfort food for the cool months ahead. —Juli George, Grandville, Michigan

Shredded Beef au Jus

My mom found this recipe in a farm journal soon after 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 little hot sauce on the side! —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey

Mediterranean Pot Roast Dinner

I first made this recipe one cold winter day. My family (adults, kids and dogs) were having a blast sledding and playing in the snow all day, 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 husband really likes roast beef, and I really like my slow cooker. I brought in Asian influences for an all-day pot roast with some oomph. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas

Moroccan Pot Roast

My husband loves meat and I love veggies, so we're both happy with this spicy twist on beefy pot roast. With garbanzo beans, eggplant, honey and mint, it's like something you'd eat at a Marrakech bazaar. —Catherine Dempsey, Clifton Park, New York

Savory Beef Sandwiches

Before heading to work in the morning, I'll get this going in the slow cooker. Then it's all ready to serve—usually with hard rolls and potato salad or another salad—as soon as my husband and I walk in. When my son moved to another state recently, I cut up beef roast in smaller portions, repackaged it and sent seasonings for a two-person slow 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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