10 Best Herbs and Spices for Slow Cooked Beef

Are you looking for some of the best herbs and spices for slow cooked beef?

If so, you are in the right place.

I’ve rounded up 10 of my favorite herbs and spices to use when slow cooking beef.

These seasonings will add flavor and depth to your dish that you didn’t even know was possible.

So go ahead and give one (or all!) of these herbs and spices a try the next time you make a slow cooker beef recipe.

10 Best Herbs and Spices for Slow Cooked Beef

Don’t settle for a bland and boring pot of beef stew.

See Also: What to Serve with Beef Stew? 25 Best Side Dishes

With the right blend of herbs and spices, you can transform your slow cooked beef into a flavor-packed dish that is sure to please.

Here are 10 of the best herbs and spices to use in slow cooked beef:

1. Parsley

Parsley has a clean and peppery taste (it has more flavor than you might think!) that can really brighten up a dish.

It’s also one of those herbs that is very versatile and can be used in a lot of different ways.

If you’re slow cooking beef, I would recommend adding some parsley towards the end of the cooking time.

This will help to brighten up the flavors and make the dish more exciting.

You could also add some other herbs like thyme or rosemary, but parsley is a good place to start.

Parsley is also great for garnishing.

So if you’re looking for a way to make your slow cooked beef look more impressive, try garnishing it with some chopped parsley before serving.

2. Thyme

Thyme usually has a sharp, almost minty flavor (it reminds me a lot of oregano) and goes really well with beef.

When slow cooking beef, I like to add a few sprigs of thyme (or 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme) to the pot.

If you want to get really creative, try pairing thyme with other ingredients like garlic, onion, red wine, and Worcestershire sauce.

These ingredients will all help to enhance the flavor of your slow cooked beef.

Just be sure not to add too much thyme or your dish will end up being too bitter.

3. Rosemary

This lemony-pine-like herb is a classic option for seasoning lamb, but it’s also great with beef.

When used correctly, rosemary can elevate the flavors of your slow cooker beef recipe without overwhelming it.

Here are a few tips on how to use rosemary in your next recipe:

• If you’re using dried rosemary, add it early on in the cooking process so that it has time to rehydrate and release its flavor.
• If you’re using fresh rosemary, add it towards the end of the cooking time so that its flavor doesn’t become too intense.
• Rosemary pairs well with other savory herbs like thyme, oregano, and basil. It also goes well with garlic, onion, and black pepper.
• A little goes a long way with this herb, so start by adding just a 1/2 teaspoon to your recipe and adjust from there.

4. Sage

Sage is earthy, slightly peppery taste with hints of mint (think sage and onion stuffing).

It’s a very strong flavor, so a little goes a long way.

When using sage in your slow cooker recipe, add it at the beginning of cooking so the flavors have time to develop.

You can add sage to beef dishes like pot roast, stew, or chili.

Pair sage with other hearty flavors like onions, garlic, carrots, celery, potatoes, and mushrooms.

For beef dishes, I also like to add red wine for extra depth of flavor.

5. Oregano

Oregano has a slightly bitter, pungent taste (maybe even a little spicy) that can really add some depth of flavor to your slow cooked beef.

I suggest pairing oregano with other robust flavors like garlic, onion, and tomato.

If you want to tone down the bitterness of the oregano, you can pair it with sweet ingredients like honey or brown sugar.

Here are a few tips for using oregano in your slow cooker recipe:

• Add it at the beginning of the cooking process so that the beef has time to absorb all of the flavors.
• If you’re using dried oregano, make sure to rehydrate it in water for about 10 minutes before adding it to the pot.
• If you want a more subtle flavor, you can add oregano towards the end of the cooking process.

6. Basil

Basil is a balance between sweet and savory (think: herby, anise-y, and peppery all at once), which is why it goes so well with ground beef.

When used in a slow cooker recipe, it provides a depth of flavor that can’t be beat.

Here are a few tips for using basil in your next slow cooker recipe:

• Use whole leaves for the most flavor. If you’re using dried basil, rehydrate the leaves in a bit of water before adding them to your recipe.
• Add basil early on in the cooking process so the flavors have time to develop.
• Pair basil with other savory ingredients like garlic, onion, tomato, and oregano.

7. Garlic Powder

If you’re out of fresh garlic (or can’t be bothered to peel and chop it), garlic powder is a great alternative for adding garlic flavor to your slow cooker recipes.

Here are some tips for using garlic powder in your cooking:

• Add it at the beginning of cooking so that the flavors have time to develop.
• Add it towards the end of cooking if you want a more intense garlic flavor.
• Pair it with other flavorful ingredients like onion powder, paprika, chili powder, and cumin.
• Use it to season meat before browning it in the pan.
• Mix it into sauces, soups, and stews.
• Sprinkle it on top of finished dishes for extra flavor.

8. Onion Powder

Onion powder adds a savory, umami flavor to recipes and is often used as a seasoning in lieu of fresh onions.

When used in slow cooker recipes, onion powder provides a subtle onion flavor that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients.

When using onion powder in a slow cooker recipe, I recommend pairing it with beef, mushrooms, carrots, and potatoes.

For example, you could add onion powder to a recipe for slow cooker beef stew.

The other ingredients in the stew would complement the onion flavor provided by the powder.

9. Curry Powder

Curry powder is usually a blend of several spices, such as turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, and chili peppers.

The exact proportions of these spices vary depending on the brand of curry powder and the region where it was made.

Curry powder can be used to add flavor to slow cooked beef dishes.

When using curry powder in a slow cooker recipe, it is best to add it towards the end of the cooking time so that the flavors don’t become too overwhelming.

Pairing curry powder with other ingredients in your slow cooker recipe can help to create a more complex flavor profile.

For example, try adding curry powder to a beef stew that also contains carrots, potatoes, and onions.

10. Smoked Paprika

Smoked paprika has a smoky and spicy flavor (with hints of sweetness) that can really elevate the flavor of your slow cooked beef.

This spice is often used in Spanish and Southwestern cuisine.

One of my favorite ways to use smoked paprika is to make a spice rub for my beef before slow cooking it.

I mix smoked paprika with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oregano.

This blend of spices gives the beef a nice flavor without being too overpowering.

If you’re looking for a more traditional way to use smoked paprika, try pairing it with other ingredients commonly used in Spanish recipes such as onions, garlic, tomatoes, and red peppers.