Crock Pot Balsamic Beef recipe makes tender and juicy beef. Easy slow cooker beef recipe turns chuck roast into a delicious dinner with almost no work!

I love a good crock pot recipe that doesn't take lots of prep and doesn't call for a million ingredients. Most importantly, one that ends with delicious food.
This crock pot balsamic beef, my friends, is one of those recipes.
This dish takes less than five minutes to put together, and then the slow cooker works its magic.
Don't worry that the recipe calls for a fair amount of balsamic vinegar. The vinegar helps to make the balsamic pot roast so tender, and the long cooking time and the little bit of brown sugar really mellows the vinegar out.

Ingredients and substitutions
- Boneless chuck roast
- Kosher salt - Kosher salt isn't as salty as table salt. I like to use it on roasts because it adds flavor without making the meat taste salty. Sea salt would be a good substitute. If you're using table salt, use half the amount of salt called for in the recipe.
- Beef broth - Beef stock also works well. I like to use reduced-sodium beef broth.
- Balsamic vinegar
- Brown sugar - Light or dark brown sugar will work.
- Worcestershire sauce
- Liquid smoke - This is optional. I find that it adds a bit of depth to the flavor, but feel free to omit it if you prefer.
What cut of beef is best?
I like to use a boneless beef chuck roast in this recipe. The fat in the roast helps to keep the meat tender as it cooks.
I've also used rump roast and arm roast in this recipe, and they both work well.
How to make crock pot balsamic beef
Place roast in crockpot. I use a 5 quart slow cooker. Sprinkle roast with salt.

In a small bowl, stir together broth, vinegar, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.

Pour the broth mixture around the roast. Cover, and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.

Shred beef with two forks, and return to crockpot. Continue cooking for an additional 30-60 minutes.

FAQs
Not for this recipe! I've made this recipe both ways, and there was no noticeable difference between the browned and un-browned roasts.
Once the roast has finished cooking, remove the meat from the sauce. Place the sauce in a saucepan. In a small bowl, stir 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch, depending on desired thickness, together with 2-4 tablespoons of beef broth.
Stir the cornstarch mixture into the sauce. Simmer, stirring regularly, until it reaches the desired thickness. The gravy is great over the meat, over rice, or on mashed potatoes.
The balsamic beef makes a great freezer meal! Simply add all of the ingredients to a freezer-safe container, like a gallon-sized freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible. It will keep for up to three months in the freezer.
When you're ready to use it, simply thaw in the fridge, and then cook as directed.
This juicy balsamic roast beef goes well with egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes or cauliflower to help sop up all of the delicious sauce. I also serve steamed green beans or broccoli on the side.
The leftover beef should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to four days when properly stored.

More crock pot beef recipes!
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Crock Pot Balsamic Beef Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless chuck roast
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup beef broth or stock
- â…” cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Place roast in crockpot. I use a 5 quart slow cooker.
- Sprinkle roast with salt.
- In a small bowl, stir together broth, vinegar, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Pour the broth mixture around the roast.
- Cover, and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
- Shred beef with two forks, and return to crockpot.
- Continue cooking for an additional 30-60 minutes.
Notes
- Kosher salt - Kosher salt isn't as salty as table salt. I like to use it on roasts because it adds flavor without making the meat taste salty. Sea salt would be a good substitute. If you're using table salt, use half the amount of salt called for in the recipe.
- Beef broth - Beef stock also works well. I like to use reduced-sodium beef broth.
- Brown sugar - Light or dark brown sugar will work.
- To freeze: Add everything to a freezer-safe container (I use a gallon freezer bag). Squeeze as much air out as possible. Then, you can freeze it for up to three months. When you're ready to use it, simply thaw in the fridge, and then cook as directed.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition
Originally published 10/14/13. Updated with new photos 4/18/19. Updated again on 12/30/21 with additional photos and tips.
Mary
Is it possible to do this with rump roast?
Kate
Absolutely! Rump, arm, and chuck roasts will all work well.
Jen
Fantastic! This is going on the regular rotation.
Kate
Thank you! Glad you liked it! =)
Lisa
This is one of may family's favorite meals! Thank you for sharing! I recent purchased an Instant Pot and was wondering if you know how this would translate to being made in the Instant Pot?
Kate
I'm so glad to hear that! I'm not sure! I bought an Instant Pot around Thanksgiving, and I'm just getting around to figuring it out. Once I get the hang of it, I'll be sure to come back and update the post with IP directions.
Dana
Wow, this roast was fantastic! I’m not a big beef eater, but I’ll make this again and again.
Kate
Thank you! It's a family-favorite, and it's great to hear that other people are enjoying it, too!
Cameron
I noticed there's a glaze over the meat and pasta. What is it, and how do I make that?
Kate
I just boiled the sauce from the crock pot and served it over the meat. If you'd like to thicken it, just make a slurry with a little cornstarch, and you should be set!
Jane
How many servings should I expect from this recipe?
Kate
You should get about 8 servings from this recipe. It will vary a little depending on the amount of fat on the roast, but you should get about 8 servings.
Katie
Hi Kate! What size crockpot do you typically use for this recipe? I'm hoping to make this soon!
Kate
Hi! I use a 5 quart. I hope you enjoy it! =)
Hannah
I know I'm about a year late on this post, but I was just wondering if you've ever added in veggies with the roast? Carrots, potatoes, onions, etc. if so do you add more liquid? Thanks!
Kate
I haven't added veggies with this recipe, but I have with other recipes, and I don't add more liquid with the veggies. Hope that helps! =)
sarah
Is it ok if the chuck is frozen?
Kate
I've never tried it frozen in this recipe. I've put frozen chicken breast in with other recipes, but I'm not sure with a larger cut of meat if it will work out right or not. If you try it, please let me know how it works out!
Mary Lou
I often put a frozen chuck roast in my crock pot and it woks fine. I want to add mushrooms to this!
Kate
Mushrooms sound like a great addition! Thanks for the idea! =)
Kate
Sounds like a great addition! Thanks for the suggestion! =)
tim harris
I nearly always do my pot roasts for shredding/pulling from frozen. Start them off on a high setting the night before and then switch to low for daytime cooking. Don't lift ever the lid. Unless you're turning the roast or adding flavours or liquid.
Kate
Great tip! Thank you!
Elissa
Is it ok that the liquid doesn't cover the meat completely?
Kate
Yes, when I make it, the liquid only covers about about an inch or two of the meat.
Austin
What is liquid smoke?
Kate
It's a liquid seasoning that replicates the smoky flavor that you'd get with grilling or smoking food. It's usually sold with the seasonings, and it comes in a small bottle. If you have any other questions, let me know!
Karly
This looks like a fabulous weeknight meal. I do love the slow cooker meals. Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!
Kate
Thanks!! Me too! Slow cooker meals make life easier! =)
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats
I LOVE balsamic, this sounds like the perfect crockpot recipe for me. Going to have to give it a try, pinning now! Thanks for sharing at Show Stopper Saturday!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats
Kate
Oh, girl! I do, too!! I'd eat balsamic with just about anything. Thanks so much for hosting and for stopping by! =)
Karen @ Future Expat
I'm committed to cooking more...and doing more crockpot cooking is one way I plan to do it for those weeks when I'm busy and just don't feel like cooking at 6 pm when I get home. Thanks for a great way to get started.
Kate
That's so smart!! It's such a great tool! I starting using mine when I was in school and working. It's so nice to come home to dinner when you've had a long day! =)
Trish - Mom On Timeout
I love balsamic anything and in the slow cooker...? Sold! Love this recipe Kate!
Kate
Thanks, Trish!! You make so many great slow cooker recipes, so I appreciate that! =)
Gloria // Simply Gloria
I love quick and easy prep for the slow cooker with great results like this...and you SO nailed it! I need to make this, this week, asap! Pinning and printing the recipe out. (I've ruined many screens if I do not actually print a recipe out by all of the spills!)
Kate
Thanks so much, Gloria!! What a nice comment!! I hope you enjoy it if you try it!! I have flour and splatters all over my laptop, so I totally understand! =)
Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen
This really looks amazing!!!
Kate
Thanks so much, Chandra!! =)
Happy Valley Chow
Wow totally bookmarking and trying this! Can't wait to try :)
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Kate
Thanks!! I hope you enjoy it! =)