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Slow Cooker Beef and Rice

A comforting and reliable one-pot meal prepared in a slow cooker, featuring seasoned beef and rice cooked in flavorful broth with minimal hands-on time.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb raw ground beef (80/20 works well) can be substituted with ground turkey or chicken
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked (do not rinse) helps absorb flavor
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz, undrained)
  • 1 packet onion soup mix (1 oz) or substitute with 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion + 1 teaspoon beef bouillon
  • 1.25 cups beef broth or hot water beef broth gives better flavor
  • to taste salt and black pepper adjust to taste
Optional Garnishes
  • chopped parsley for freshness
  • sliced green onions
  • shredded cheddar for creaminess

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Optional: Heat a skillet over medium-high, crumble in ground beef, and brown until no pink remains (about 5-8 minutes). Drain excess fat.
  2. Spray the slow cooker with nonstick spray or use a liner for easy cleanup.
  3. Put the uncooked rice in the bottom of the crockpot. Scatter the browned (or raw) ground beef over the rice.
  4. Pour the can of diced tomatoes (with juices) over the beef and rice.
  5. Sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly on top. Pour the beef broth (or water) over everything; do not stir aggressively.
Cooking
  1. Cover and cook on Low for 4-5 hours or High for 2-3 hours.
  2. Check doneness: rice should be tender and beef should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Stir gently to combine, then taste and season with salt and pepper.
Serving
  1. Serve hot, garnished with optional toppings if desired.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, check the onion soup mix or substitute with garlic powder and onion powder plus gluten-free bouillon. It pairs well with crisp green salads or roasted vegetables.