This slow cooker Amish beef and potato dinner is the kind of hearty, no-fuss meal that makes a busy day feel a little easier. Layering the potatoes underneath the beef lets everything cook together into a tender, comforting supper, with the meat juices soaking down into the potatoes for extra flavor. It has that simple country-style spirit Amish-inspired meals are known for: practical ingredients, humble preparation, and a filling result that brings everyone to the table hungry.
Serve this with buttered green beans, sweet corn, or a simple side salad to lighten up the plate. Warm dinner rolls or homemade bread are especially nice for soaking up the savory juices, and if you want to round it out even more, applesauce or pickled beets make a classic sweet-tart pairing with the rich beef and potatoes.
Slow Cooker 6-Ingredient Amish Beef and Potato
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds beef shoulder tender
4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and sliced about 1/4 inch thick
1 packet onion soup mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup, 10.5 ounces
1 cup beef broth
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
Directions
1. Lightly grease the inside of a slow cooker. Arrange the sliced russet potatoes in an even layer across the bottom, overlapping them slightly so they form a sturdy base for the beef.
2. Set the beef shoulder tender on top of the potatoes. Sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly over the beef and potatoes.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the cream of mushroom soup and beef broth until mostly smooth. Pour the mixture over the beef, then dot the top with the butter pieces.
4. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is very tender and the potatoes are soft all the way through.
5. Carefully remove the beef, slice or shred it, then return it to the slow cooker or serve it over the potatoes with plenty of the savory juices spooned on top.
Variations & Tips
For extra onion flavor: Add one sliced onion over the potatoes before setting the beef on top. It melts down during cooking and gives the whole dish a sweeter, deeper flavor.
For picky eaters: Slice the beef before serving instead of shredding it, and spoon just a little of the sauce over each portion. Keeping the textures more defined can make this meal more appealing for kids.
For a richer gravy: If you like a thicker finish, remove the cooked beef and potatoes, then whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and stir it into the hot liquid in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 10 to 15 minutes until slightly thickened.
For added color: Stir in cooked carrots or green beans right before serving. Since this is a very beige, cozy kind of supper, a pop of color on the plate makes it feel even more inviting.
Cooking tip: Try to keep the potato slices fairly even so they cook at the same rate. If your beef shoulder tender is especially thick, check that it is fork-tender before serving and give it a little extra time if needed.