This Beef Manhattan Recipe is a classic, slow-cooked comfort meal made with tender chuck roast, savory onion soup mix, and rich beef gravy. It comes together with just a few simple ingredients and mostly hands-off cooking, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy Sunday dinner.
If you enjoy all the flavors in this dish, you'll love my slow-cooked pot roast recipe.
Beef Manhattan Recipe at a Glance
- Time: 8 hours 20 minutes total
- Ingredients: Chuck roast, beef broth, garlic, onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, cornstarch
- Flavor: Rich, savory, and hearty with a deep beefy gravy
- Serve With: Garlic toast topped with mashed potatoes for the classic combo
- Why You'll Love It: Classic comfort food made easy in the slow cooker with tender, fall-apart beef
Summarize and Save
I love making this roast beef Manhattan for Sunday dinners; the slow cooker does all the work while the family can relax and enjoy time together. It is just as easy on a busy weeknight. Simply toss everything in the Crock Pot in the morning, go about your day, and come back to tender beef and rich gravy ready to serve. It is simple, stress-free, and always enjoyed by everyone at the table.
For more Sunday dinner favorites and comforting slow cooker meals, don't miss my slow-cooked beef tips and gravy and Mississippi pot roast.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This Manhattan roast recipe is a stress-free, hands-off meal that's perfect for any night of the week. The slow cooker transforms simple ingredients into tender, juicy beef smothered in rich, flavorful gravy, making it a true family favorite.
- Effortless slow-cooking: Toss it in the Crock Pot and let it cook while you focus on family or chores.
- Rich, comforting flavor: Savory gravy and tender beef make every bite satisfying.
- Family-friendly and filling: A hearty meal everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
- Chuck Roast: Choose a 4-pound chuck roast for even cooking and maximum tenderness. Bring it to room temperature for more even searing. For another delicious recipe featuring chuck roast, try my 3 packet pot roast next.
- Beef Broth: Adds depth to the gravy and keeps the beef juicy. Opt for low-sodium if you prefer more control over seasoning.
- Onion Soup Mix: A shortcut to rich, savory flavor and convenience. Look for the standard packaged mix in your grocery store.
- Ketchup & Worcestershire Sauce: Together, they enhance the gravy's savory-sweet profile, deepening the flavor.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Gluten‑Free Option: Use a gluten‑free onion soup mix and swap the cornstarch with arrowroot powder to keep the gravy thick and satisfying.
- Vegetable‑Packed Version: Add hearty vegetables like carrots, celery, and baby potatoes to the slow cooker so everything cooks together for a complete meal.
- Spicy Manhattan: Stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce to the gravy for a subtle kick without overpowering the classic flavor.
- Slow Cooker French Dip Style: After shredding the beef, serve it on toasted buns with a side of gravy for dipping, similar to my slow cooker French dip recipe.
How to Make Beef Manhattan in the Slow Cooker
This Manhattan roast is one of those meals that feels fancy but is surprisingly easy. With just a few steps, the slow cooker does most of the work while you go about your day.
- Step 1: Season and Sear the Beef. Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the beef for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. This step locks in flavor before it goes into the slow cooker.
- Step 2: Prepare the Gravy. Whisk together the beef broth, garlic, dried thyme, onion soup mix, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Add the seared beef to the slow cooker and pour the mixture over the top.
- Step 3: Slow Cook Until Tender. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours. The beef will become fork-tender and soak up all the savory flavors from the gravy.
- Step 4: Shred Beef. Remove the beef and shred it with two forks. At this time, whisk a small amount of the gravy with cornstarch until smooth.
- Step 5: Thicken and Serve. Stir the slurry back into the slow cooker and add the shredded beef. Cook for 10 more minutes until the gravy thickens, then serve over garlic mashed potatoes for a classic, comforting meal.
Expert Tips
- Sear for Flavor: Searing the beef before adding it to the slow cooker locks in juices and adds a deeper, richer flavor to the final dish. Even a quick 2-3 minute sear on each side makes a noticeable difference.
- Use a Thickening Slurry: Whisk the cornstarch with a small amount of gravy before adding it back to the slow cooker. This prevents lumps and ensures the gravy thickens evenly around the shredded beef.
- Check for Tenderness: Cooking times can vary depending on the slow cooker. Start checking the beef at 8 hours on low. It should shred easily with two forks. If not, cook another 30-60 minutes until tender.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: This recipe works well for meal prep. Cook the roast a day ahead, store it in the fridge with the gravy, and reheat gently in a slow cooker or on the stovetop.
- Storage: Store leftover shredded beef with gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
- Family Dinners or Weeknights: Serve this Beef Manhattan over creamy cream cheese mashed potatoes and pair with simple steamed vegetables for an easy family meal everyone will enjoy.
- Sunday or Holiday Meals: Serve with fresh bread or dinner rolls to soak up the rich gravy and round out the plate with flavorful sides like Brussels sprouts with bacon, glazed slow cooker carrots, or roasted root vegetables for a crowd-pleasing dinner.
- Potlucks and Entertaining: Keep it simple by serving the shredded beef in a slow cooker on the buffet table so guests can help themselves. Include easy sides like buttery slow cooker corn on the cob, or a simple pasta salad, and set out fresh buns for those who want to build a sandwich.
Beef Manhattan Recipe FAQs
The best way is to warm it gently on the stovetop for 8-10 minutes, or in a slow cooker over low heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally until heated through. This keeps the beef tender and the gravy rich. You can also reheat in the microwave in shorter intervals, stirring between each, to avoid drying out the beef.
If your gravy isn't thick enough, mix a small amount of cornstarch with some of the hot gravy to create a smooth slurry, then stir it back into the slow cooker, letting it cook at an additional 20-30 minutes. This will thicken the gravy without lumps. You can repeat if the gravy still doesn't thicken enough.
Sure! While a chuck roast is ideal, you can also use a blade roast or rump roast. Just make sure the cut has enough marbling to stay tender during slow cooking.
More Delicious Slow Cooker Beef Recipes
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Beef Manhattan
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 pound chuck roast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 tablespoons garlic minced
- 1 ounce package onion soup mix
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Season both sides of the chuck roast with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef on each side for 2-3 minutes. Then place in the crockpot.
- In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, thyme, garlic, onion soup, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over the beef.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours.
- Remove the beef from the crockpot and shred using two forks. In a small bowl, whisk ⅓ cup of the gravy with cornstarch until smooth. Return the slurry to the crock pot and whisk to combine. Add the shredded beef back in, toss to coat, and cook for 10 minutes or until the gravy thickens.
- Serve over garlic toast topped with mashed potatoes and enjoy!
Notes
- Sear the beef before slow cooking to lock in all the flavor.
- Whisk cornstarch with gravy before adding to avoid lumps.
- Check the beef for tenderness at 8 hours and cook longer if needed.
- Serve over mashed potatoes or bread to soak up all the rich gravy.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen says
Comes out so tender and flavor. Bonus is it is so easy to make for a yummy dinner.