This Slow Cooker Grillades recipe delivers a rich and flavorful New Orleans classic with minimal effort. Tender beef slices are slow-cooked in a savory Creole-inspired sauce, creating a hearty and comforting dish perfect for any occasion. Serve over creamy grits for a truly authentic experience.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Flavor: The slow cooker does all the work, infusing the beef with deep, complex flavors.
- Tender Beef: Slow cooking ensures the beef becomes incredibly tender and melt-in-your-mouth.
- Rich Creole Sauce: The combination of vegetables, tomatoes, and spices creates a robust and satisfying sauce.
- Comforting Meal: Perfect for cozy dinners and gatherings with family and friends.
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: Coats the beef, helping to thicken the sauce.
- Creole Seasoning: Provides the signature flavor profile of the dish.
- Top Beef Round Roast: The main protein, cut into slices for even cooking.
- Vegetable Oil: For searing the beef and sautéing the vegetables.
- Onion, Carrots, Celery, and Bell Pepper: Form the aromatic base of the sauce.
- Garlic Cloves: Adds pungent flavor to the sauce.
- Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes: Contributes smoky depth and acidity.
- Beef Consomme: Provides a rich, concentrated beef flavor.
- Tomato Paste: Enhances the tomato flavor and thickens the sauce.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Adds a touch of acidity to balance the flavors.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Contributes savory umami notes.
- Dried Bay Leaves: Infuses the sauce with herbal aroma.
- Italian Seasoning: Adds a blend of Mediterranean herbs.
- Dried Thyme: Provides earthy notes to the sauce.
- Black Pepper: Enhances the overall seasoning.
- Fresh Parsley: For garnish, adds freshness and visual appeal.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Slow Cooker Grillades
Step 1: Coat the Beef
Stir together flour and half of the Creole seasoning. Coat beef slices in the flour mixture.
Step 2: Sear the Beef
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook beef slices until browned on both sides. Transfer to a slow cooker.
Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables
Add onion, carrots, celery, and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Transfer to the slow cooker.
Step 4: Add Sauce Ingredients
Add diced tomatoes, beef consomme, tomato paste, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, thyme, and black pepper to the slow cooker.
Step 5: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours.
Step 6: Serve
Serve over grits and garnish with fresh parsley.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Brown the Beef Well: Searing the beef adds depth of flavor to the dish.
- Adjust Creole Seasoning: Use more or less Creole seasoning to control the spice level.
- Use Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: Fire-roasted tomatoes add a smoky flavor that enhances the sauce.
- Don’t Overcook: Cook until the beef is tender but not falling apart.
- Serve Over Grits: Grits are the traditional accompaniment and complement the rich sauce.
How to Serve
- Over Grits: The classic way to serve grillades.
- With Rice: Serve over white or brown rice for a simpler option.
- With Mashed Potatoes: Mashed potatoes also pair well with the rich sauce.
- With Crusty Bread: Serve with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover grillades in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing
Freeze cooled grillades in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, you can use other cuts of beef, such as chuck roast or bottom round. Adjust cooking time as needed.
2. Can I make this dish spicier?
Yes, you can add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the sauce for extra heat.
3. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dish ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to reheat.
4. Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes. Use about 2 cups of diced fresh tomatoes and adjust cooking time as needed.
PrintSlow Cooker Grillades Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Creole
Description
This Slow Cooker Grillades recipe delivers tender, flavorful beef in a rich Creole-inspired sauce, perfect for serving over grits. The slow cooker method ensures the beef becomes incredibly tender, while the combination of vegetables and seasonings creates a deeply satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Creole seasoning, divided
- 2 pounds Top Beef Round Roast, cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 celery rib, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can beef consommé
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Coat Beef: In a shallow dish, stir together flour and ½ tablespoon Creole seasoning. Coat beef slices in the flour mixture.
- Sear Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook beef slices until browned on both sides. Transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add onion, carrots, celery, and bell pepper to the skillet. If needed, add more oil. Cook for 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Transfer the vegetables to the slow cooker.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Add fire-roasted diced tomatoes, beef consommé, tomato paste, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, thyme, black pepper, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of creole seasoning to the slow cooker.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, or until the beef is very tender.
- Serve: Serve the grillades over grits. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of Creole seasoning.
- If you don’t have fire-roasted diced tomatoes, regular diced tomatoes can be used.
- Grits are the traditional accompaniment, but this dish is also delicious served over rice or mashed potatoes.
- If the sauce is too thin at the end of cooking, you can thicken it by making a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water, and stir it into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120g