This slow cooker Amish tomato beef is the kind of practical, comforting supper that fits right into a busy week. With just four simple ingredients, it turns a humble beef shoulder steak into a tender, savory meal with rich tomato flavor and plenty of home-cooked appeal. It has that old-fashioned, economical style of cooking many Amish and Midwestern families are known for, where a few pantry basics come together into something filling and satisfying.
Serve this tomato beef over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or steamed rice so none of the flavorful juices go to waste. I also like to round it out with green beans, sweet corn, or a simple side salad, and a piece of crusty bread on the table makes this meal feel extra cozy.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Amish Tomato Beef
Servings: 4 to 6
Ingredients
2 pounds beef shoulder steak
2 large tomatoes, sliced thick
1 medium onion, sliced
1 packet onion soup mix
Directions
1. Lightly grease the slow cooker insert if needed. Lay the beef shoulder steak in the bottom of the slow cooker in an even layer.
2. Arrange the sliced onion over the beef, then place the thick tomato slices across the top so the meat is mostly covered.
3. Sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly over the top. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
4. Once cooked, spoon some of the tomato-rich juices over the beef before serving. Serve the beef whole or break it into large tender pieces.
Variations & Tips
For extra sauce: If you like more spoonable juices for potatoes or noodles, add 1/2 cup beef broth before cooking. The tomatoes will still provide plenty of flavor, but the broth gives you a little more liquid to work with.
For picky eaters: If someone at your table is not excited about visible tomato slices, use peeled tomato wedges or even crush the cooked tomatoes gently into the juices before serving so they blend into the sauce more smoothly.
Use the right cut: Beef shoulder steak becomes especially tender in the slow cooker, but chuck steak also works well if that is what you have on hand. Choose a cut with some marbling for the best flavor.
Make it ahead: You can layer everything in the slow cooker insert the night before, cover, and refrigerate. In the morning, set it into the cooker and start your day with dinner already handled.