Beef hotpot recipe

Our beef hotpot recipe only has four steps in the method and is easy to batch cook and freeze if you like. 

This is an easy meal to prepare in the morning or even the day before. Then you just have to reheat when you’re ready to serve. The Worcestershire sauce is our secret ingredient as just two tablespoons adds so much depth of flavour. You could use a tablespoon of Marmite or miso paste instead if you prefer. 

Ingredients

• 1tbsp sunflower oil
• 750 g (1½lb) braising beef, cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2tbsp plain flour
• 600ml (1 pint) beef stock
• 2tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1tbsp tomato purée
• 2tsp English mustard
• 3 sprigs of rosemary
• 125g (4oz) carrots, diced
• 125g (4oz) swede, diced
• 125g (4oz) parsnip, diced
• 700g (1 lb 6 oz) potatoes, thinly sliced
• 25g (1oz) butter

Method 

1. Preheat the slow cooker if necessary; see the manufacturer’s handbook. Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the beef a few pieces at a time until all the meat is in the pan, then fry over a high heat, stirring, until browned. Remove the beef from the pan with a slotted spoon and transfer to the slow cooker pot.
2. Add the onion to the pan and fry, stirring, for 5 mins or until softened and just beginning to turn golden. Stir in the flour, then gradually mix in the stock. Add the Worcestershire sauce, tomato purée, mustard and leaves from 2 sprigs of the rosemary. Season with salt and pepper and bring to the boil, stirring.
3. Add the diced vegetables to the slow cooker pot. Pour the onion and sauce over them, then cover with the potato slices, arranging them so that they overlap and pressing them down into the stock. Sprinkle with the leaves torn from the remaining stem of rosemary and a little salt and pepper.
4. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 7–8 hrs until the potatoes and meat are tender. If your slow cooker allows, lift the pot out of the housing using oven gloves. Dot the potatoes with the butter and brown under a preheated hot grill, if liked.

Watch how to make beef hotpot

Top tips for making beef hotpot

Skip the potato topping if you like and serve the hotpot with creamy mashed potatoes or chips instead. 

Jessica Ransom

“Although this is a complete meal in itself, I like to serve beef hotpot with some warm crusty bread as there’s nothing better to mop up the delicious gravy with.” 

If you haven’t jumped on the slow cooker bandwagon and want our verdict on the best slow cookers before you invest. Have a read of our thorough reviews. 

3.5L CROCK-POT SLOW COOKER SIZZLE & STEW - View at Crockpot

In her Crockpot 3.5L Sizzle & Stew manual slow cooker review, Food editor Jessica Dady said this slow cooker is compact, lightweight and easy to use and clean - what’s not to love! As a busy mum she praised the fact it could easily fit enough in to feed four or six people. 

If you like this ready, try our hearty beef cobbler next. This James Martin beef stew with dumplings is another winter warmer or we have plenty of leftover beef recipes you might like.