Slow Cooker Sweet And Sour Beef Roast

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy one-pot meal with minimal prep.
• Tender, juicy beef infused with bold sweet and sour flavors.
• Perfect for family dinners, holidays, or make-ahead meals.
• Great served over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Beef chuck roast (about 3–4 pounds)
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Olive oil or vegetable oil
• Onion, sliced
• Garlic, minced
• Tomato sauce
• Brown sugar
• Apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
• Soy sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dijon mustard (optional for extra tang)
• Red bell pepper, sliced
• Green bell pepper, sliced
• Cornstarch (for thickening, optional)
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Directions

1. Pat the beef roast dry and season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the roast for about 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Transfer to the slow cooker.
3. In the same skillet, sauté the onion and garlic for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the tomato sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
4. Pour the sauce mixture over the roast in the slow cooker.
5. Add the sliced red and green bell peppers around the beef.
6. Cover and cook on Low for 8–9 hours or High for 4–5 hours, until the roast is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
7. Remove the roast from the slow cooker and shred or slice it as desired.
8. Optional: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into the sauce. Turn the slow cooker to High and cook for an additional 10–15 minutes, until thickened.
9. Return the beef to the sauce and stir to coat.
10. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 6–8
• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 8–9 hours on Low or 4–5 hours on High
• Total time: 8½–9½ hours

Variations

• Pineapple twist: Add pineapple chunks during the last hour of cooking for a tropical sweetness.
• Spicy version: Add red pepper flakes or a bit of sriracha to the sauce.
• Asian-inspired: Use rice vinegar and a touch of hoisin sauce for extra flavor depth.
• Vegetable-rich: Add carrots or snow peas for a more colorful, hearty dish.
• No-sear version: Skip browning the roast if short on time — it will still be delicious.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Let cool completely, then store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if needed.
• Freezing: Freeze cooled roast and sauce together in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

FAQs

What cut of beef is best for this recipe?

A beef chuck roast is ideal — it becomes tender and flavorful after slow cooking.

Can I use a different type of vinegar?

Yes, apple cider vinegar gives a nice tang, but white or rice vinegar also works.

Is searing the beef necessary?

It’s optional but recommended to build deeper flavor in the sauce.

Can I cook this on high heat the entire time?

Yes, cooking on High for 4–5 hours works fine if you’re short on time.

How do I thicken the sauce?

Use a cornstarch slurry or let the sauce cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes.

Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker?

Yes, bell peppers, carrots, and onions complement the sweet and sour flavors well.

What should I serve with sweet and sour beef roast?

It’s great over rice, mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or even quinoa.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely. It reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day.

How do I prevent the beef from drying out?

Keep the lid closed during cooking and ensure there’s enough sauce to cover the roast halfway.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Beef Roast is the ultimate comfort meal — tender beef simmered in a tangy, flavorful sauce that balances savory and sweet perfectly. This easy slow-cooked recipe is ideal for busy days or Sunday dinners, giving you rich, satisfying flavor with minimal effort. Serve it over your favorite side and enjoy every bite of this delicious classic.

Slow Cooker Sweet And Sour Beef Roast

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This Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Beef Roast features tender beef cooked in a tangy-sweet tomato sauce with bell peppers, vinegar, and brown sugar — a comforting, flavorful meal that’s both hearty and easy to prepare.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8–9 hours (Low) or 4–5 hours (High)
• Total Time: 8½–9½ hours
• Yield: 6–8 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

• 3–4 lbs beef chuck roast
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Pat the beef roast dry and season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the roast for 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Transfer to the slow cooker.
3. In the same skillet, sauté the onion and garlic for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add tomato sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits.
4. Pour the sauce over the roast in the slow cooker and add the sliced red and green bell peppers around the beef.
5. Cover and cook on Low for 8–9 hours or High for 4–5 hours, until the roast is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
6. Remove the roast from the slow cooker and shred or slice as desired.
7. Optional: Mix cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir into the sauce. Set slow cooker to High and cook for 10–15 minutes until thickened.
8. Return beef to the sauce and stir to coat well.
9. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles.

Notes

• For extra flavor, sear the roast before slow cooking — it enhances the sauce richness.
• Add pineapple chunks during the last hour of cooking for a tropical twist.
• Thicken the sauce with cornstarch or simmer uncovered for 20 minutes at the end.
• This dish reheats and freezes well, perfect for meal prep.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 880mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 36g
• Cholesterol: 115mg