Oma's Slow Cooker Roast Beef (tastes like German Rouladen)

by: Gerhild Fulson  / Oma Gerhild shares easy, authentic German recipes you can trust, rooted in family tradition and featured in her cookbooks.

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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.

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? 

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 made with the same ingredients as rouladen and your gravy will taste the same as rouladen gravy.

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.

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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!

Ready to make Oma's Slow Cooker Roast Beef?

Print Recipe

Oma's Slow Cooker Roast Beef (tastes like German Rouladen)

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

Beef Recipes? Click here ->

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Hi, I'm Oma Gerhild! As a food writer and cookbook author, I'm always looking to find ways to pass on my German heritage using local ingredients. Quick and easy. That's my goal. Wunderbar food. That's the result.