This slow cooker 5-ingredient Amish buttermilk beef is the kind of cozy, low-effort dinner that feels especially satisfying on a busy weekday. The buttermilk helps keep the beef tender as it cooks low and slow, and the end result is a rich, savory roast with plenty of comforting flavor from just a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients. It has that old-fashioned, hearty feel that makes it easy to see why a recipe like this gets passed around and requested again and again.
Serve this beef over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or fluffy rice to catch all the flavorful juices. For sides, simple green beans, glazed carrots, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a crisp salad all work well and help balance the richness of the meat. If you're feeding a crowd, warm dinner rolls or thick slices of country bread make it even more of a comfort-food meal.
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Amish Buttermilk Beef
Servings: 6 to 8
Ingredients
3 to 4 pounds beef shoulder center roast
2 cups cold buttermilk
1 packet onion soup mix
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
1. Pat the beef shoulder center roast dry with paper towels and place it in the slow cooker.
2. Sprinkle the onion soup mix, salt, and black pepper evenly over the roast.
3. Pour the cold buttermilk over the roast, covering the top and letting it run down the sides.
4. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 5 to 6 hours, until the beef is very tender and easy to pull apart with a fork.
5. Slice or shred the beef, spoon some of the cooking juices over the top, and serve warm.
Variations & Tips
Add garlic: If you want a little more depth without changing the simplicity of the recipe, add 2 to 3 minced garlic cloves or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder before cooking.
Make it gravy-like: For a thicker sauce, remove the cooked beef and whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water, then stir it into the slow cooker juices and cook on high for a few minutes until slightly thickened.
Use the leftovers well: Leftover beef is great tucked into toasted sandwich rolls, spooned over egg noodles, or folded into a baked potato for an easy second meal later in the week.
Don’t overtrim the roast: Leave a little fat on the beef so it stays moist through the long cooking time. Once the roast is done, you can skim excess fat from the juices before serving if needed.
Meal prep tip: On a rushed morning, place the roast in the slow cooker insert the night before and measure out the buttermilk and seasonings separately in the fridge so everything is ready to assemble quickly.