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Slow Cooker Roast Beef tastes like Rouladen: Oma's Crock-Pot Recipe

➤ by Gerhild Fulson

I created this slow cooker roast beef one day when I knew I was going to be too busy to make a special dinner for company. I wanted special.

I wanted that wonderful taste of rouladen with its amazing gravy. But, I was going to be gone all day. Dare I take my expensive bottom round roast and pop it into the slow cooker without browning? 

For the full list of ingredients & detailed instructions, see the recipe card at the end of this post. But before you scroll, there’s important & interesting stuff to know right below.

Make this slow cooker roast beef and be amazed how much this tastes like rouladen WITHOUT the work. Same wonderful gravy, tender meat, and perfect for family and guests.

I did and included the traditional rouladen ingredients. The result? It had all the  flavor of the rouladen meat AND THE GRAVY and was so easy to put together in the morning.

I love adding mushrooms to my rouladen gravy, so I included them in the photo above as well. Wunderbar!

Oma says,

YES, of course, you can brown the meat before putting it into the cooker. This will add a nicer 'look' to the finished roast and will increase the flavor.

However, if you're in a real hurry in the morning and really don't have the time to brown the meat, just go ahead. The flavor will still be fantastic. This is my NEW  go-to recipe when I need something easy and special.

Everything into the slow cooker. Cover. On high for 6 hours. WUNDERBAR!

Try this slow cooker Roast Beef

Another Rouladen Alternative ...

Since rouladen were so expensive (and consuming to make), I created also created Beef Flatladen! Vary the type of meat. (Even pork works!) Vary the size of chunks (usually about a 2 to 3-inch square and about ¾ inch thick). Leftovers are delicious, so make lots!

This recipe takes a bit more time, but, my - my ... is this delicious!

Oma's extra tips for Flatladen ...

  • Use almost any cut of meat. Slow simmering tenderizes the meat.
  • Cut meat into size needed.
  • Brown in small batches in butter.
  • Add onion, bacon, dill pickle (the traditional rouladen flavors), seasonings, and water. Let the whole thing simmer for about 2 hours.

Grab your copy of Oma's German Slow Cooker Recipes written in English just for you to enjoy:

Take a look at Oma’s Slow Cooker eCookbook and enjoy the traditional taste of German cuisine!

Take a peek at all Oma's eCookbooks. They make sharing your German heritage a delicious adventure!

Oma says:

If you are looking for the traditional rouladen, check out my Rouladen recipe. SO WUNDERBAR!

It's our 'special' dinner, usually together with potato dumplings and red cabbage. Doesn't get more German than that!

What to Serve with Rouladen-tasting Roast Beef?

If you're wanting a traditional German rouladen dinner, there are several side dishes that are a MUST! Of course, there are other ones that also pair perfectly with your roast beef that tastes just like rouladen and its fabulous gravy.

The Top 10 Side Dishes to serve with Rouladen/Roast are:

  1. Potato Dumplings
  2. Red Cabbage
  3. To see the remaining Top 10 Side Dishes, click here.

Ready to make Oma's Slow Cooker Roast Beef?

Oma's Slow Cooker Roast Beef

Slow Cooker Roast Beef tastes like Rouladen: Oma's Crock-Pot Recipe

Make this slow cooker roast beef and be amazed how much this tastes like rouladen WITHOUT the work. Same wonderful gravy, tender meat, and perfect for family and guests.

Prep Time

10 minutes

Slow Cook Time

6 - 10 hours

Total Time

Depends on Slow Cooker setting.

Servings:

Makes 6 - 8 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 onion, cut into chunks
  • 4 garlic dill pickles, cut into chunks
  • 3 - 4 pounds bottom round beef roast, trimmed of excess fat
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  •  4 - 6 slices lean bacon
  • 1 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch to thicken gravy
  • salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Mix together 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and pour into slow cooker.
  2. Add onion, dill pickles, and 2 slices of bacon to slow cooker and put roast on top with fat side down.
  3. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover roast with remaining bacon slices.
  4. Cover slow cooker and cook roast for 6 hours on high or 10 hours on low (may vary depending on your cooker)
  5. Remove meat and tent with foil to rest while you make the gravy.
  6. Strain cooking liquid through sieve into a saucepan and bring to simmer.
  7. To thicken gravy, combine 2 to 3 tablespoons cornstarch in a little cold water. Stir into cooking liquid until slightly thickened.
  8. Season gravy to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper.

Notes/Hints:

  • Add whatever ingredients you normally use in your Rouladen. If you don't like pickles, omit them. If you normally add carrots, etc., add them. If you normally use mustard, add a bit to taste. I love adding mushrooms to the gravy. Yum!
  • If you have time, you can brown the roast before putting it in the slow cooker. This will amp up the flavor of both the meat and the gravy.
  • Use other cuts of beef or try pork roasts as well. I've had them all turn out delicious.
  • See What to Serve with Rouladen for side dishes that complement your rouladen-tasting roast beef.

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Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

10.21.2021 revision update

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Make this slow cooker roast beef and be amazed how much this tastes like rouladen WITHOUT the work. Same wonderful gravy, tender meat, and perfect for family and guests.



Slow Cooker Roast Beef tastes like Rouladen: Oma's Crock-Pot Recipe



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Slow Cooker Roast Beef tastes like Rouladen: Oma's Crock-Pot Recipe


Make this slow cooker roast beef and be amazed how much this tastes like rouladen WITHOUT the work. Same wonderful gravy, tender meat, and perfect for family and guests.


Ingredients: cornstarch, onion, garlic dill pickles, seasonings, bottom round beef roast, bacon,

For the full recipe, scroll up ...

Words to the Wise

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Proverbs 11:2 (NLT)


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