This slow cooker beef ragu is the perfect cozy and hearty weeknight meal or meal prep recipe that’s not only Whole30, paleo, and gluten-free, but it is incredibly delicious. It’s loaded with vegetables, easy to prepare and takes almost no hands-on cooking time thanks to the crock pot. It also freezes really well! This is sure to be a family favorite, and a go-to recipe when you need a quick meal to be ready for dinner.
This recipe is truly one of my favorites. It’s got such a deep, rich flavor that you’d usually get from cooking with red wine, but instead that flavor is replicated with a Paleo and Whole30 alternative. This recipe is so amazing that it’s also featured in my cookbook! We make it a ton at my home, and I know you’ll love it, too!
Related: 50 Whole30 Slow Cooker Recipes
Whole30 Slow Cooker Beef Ragu Ingredients
You don’t need very many fancy ingredients to get the ragu prepped and cooking in the slow cooker. The main ingredients are of course the beef chuck roast, and the vegetables: onion, celery, carrot, mushrooms and diced tomatoes. The liquid ingredients you’ll need to add to the slow cooker are beef broth (although chicken broth works, too!), dairy-free milk (I use almond milk most often), and, the secret ingredient, pomegranate juice.
Pomegranate juice is the best paleo and Whole30 substitution for red wine in cooking. The juice brings out the depth of flavor from the meat, and helps to tenderize it, without adding sweetness. If that’s not accessible, cranberry juice is the next best option!
How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Ragu
This ragu recipe could not be any easier. After chopping the vegetables, really all you need to do is dump everything into the crock pot! You can sear the chuck roast on both sides prior to adding it into the slow cooker, but, I tend to skip that step to save on dishes and time. Once everything is in the slow cooker, you’ll just need to stir around the veggies with the liquid and spices to distribute everything around. Then, simply cover and let cook! You’ll know the ragu is done when the beef roast shreds easily with two forks.
What to Eat Ragu With
I personally love this ragu over creamy mashed potatoes, but it’s equally great over mashed cauliflower, vegetable noodles such as butternut squash noodles or zucchini noodles. If you’re not sticking to Whole30 or Paleo, it’s amazing with some gluten-free or regular noodles like rigatoni. It’s even awesome with gnocchi! Either way, you really can’t go wrong, and it makes it super easy to feed the whole family who isn’t all gluten/grain-free!
Other Whole30 & Paleo Recipes You’ll Love:
Slow Cooker “Cheese”burger Soup
Slow Cooker Pork Roast & Vegetables
Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
PrintSlow Cooker Beef Ragu: Whole30, Paleo, Gluten-Free
This slow cooker beef ragu is the perfect cozy and hearty weeknight meal or meal prep recipe that’s not only Whole30, paleo, and gluten-free, but it is incredibly delicious. It’s loaded with vegetables, easy to prepare and takes almost no hands-on cooking time thanks to the crock pot. It also freezes really well! This is sure to be a family favorite, and a go-to recipe when you need a quick meal to be ready for dinner.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Beef
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2.5–3 lb. beef chuck roast
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 cup sliced or diced white mushrooms
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced white onions
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp dried parsley flakes
- 1 tsp black pepper
Optional:
- 1 tbsp arrowroot flour dissolved in 1 tbsp water for thickening
- Chopped fresh parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Place the roast in the slow cooker, and then add in all of the ingredients except arrowroot flour. Mix everything together, just enough to distribute the ingredients around.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The beef will shred easily with two forks when it’s finished.
- Optional: To thicken, combine the arrowroot and water in a small bowl and stir until the arrowroot is dissolved. Pour into the sauce and stir to thicken.
- Serve over mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower for Whole30, or GF noodles.
Notes
- You can use 100% cranberry juice in place of pomegranate juice if that’s not accessible, but don’t skip this! It really adds such an incredible flavor!
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Meghan says
Best beef roast recipe I’ve ever made! Thank you!
Linda Templeton says
I love this recipe! It’s just perfect for a winter evening and I love that it has so many veg. My husband just finished his 2nd bowl. Definitely a keeper.
Katie says
Amazing comfort food recipe! It has such great flavor. Thanks for the recipe.
Christine says
This was so easy and incredibly delicious! My husband came home and said the house smelled like a fancy dinner was cooking:) will make a lot this winter- thanks Bailey!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you both loved it! Thank you so much for giving it a try, and taking the time to let me know you enjoyed! <3 - B
Mandy says
This was a huge hit with my family and I have made it multiple times. It’s rare that I find a recipe that doesn’t need tweaking but the recipe is perfection just as it’s written. I can’t wait to try some of your other recipes!
KRISTEN F HANSON says
I’ve made this recipe numerous times and it’s the ultimate comfort food! I’m not GF so I like it over rigatoni or mashed potatoes are the best. I always use this as my go-to meal sharing for friends that need help with dinners and my college student begs me to bring it down to her for eating in the dorm. SO YUMMY, enjoy!