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You are here: Home / Food / Crock Pot Simple Greek Inspired Beef Roast

by Stacy  41 Comments

Crock Pot Simple Greek Inspired Beef Roast

Today our Crock Pot post comes from The Cheapskate Cook….any friend of the CHEAP is a friend of mine. Thanks Steph! 🙂

If I’ve learned one thing in my frugal cooking experience, it’s how smart old people are. Really.

I think of all the things our grandparents did that people have laughed at over the years – washing their freezer bags, refusing to get credit cards, using that old seventies sofa until its exposed springs were a tetanus hazard. Then I look at these new blogs popping up every day, and I can’t help but laugh all over again. We’re suddenly realizing that our grandparents were pretty smart. They might not have a huge Twitter following (let’s face it – most of them are pretty savvy members of Facebook now), but many of them have wise ideas about handling and saving money.

A few years ago, after pinching our pennies, my husband and I were able to visit his old relatives that still live in the hill village in Greece where Chris’ family came from. We stayed with them for two months. During that time, my theas (“aunts” – only they weren’t actually my aunts – more like distant cousins who treated us like their long lost favorite children), taught me how to make Greek food. Most dishes involved exorbitant amounts of olive oil and salt, but each one of them was simple, frugal, and made with whole, real food ingredients. (I also learned I could cut down on the oil and salt and still make awesome food.)

They were delicious. Turns out the past generations knew a thing or two about whole food cooking as well as money.

This recipe was inspired by my Greek thea who served us this dish fairly regularly. She used a pressure cooker and I use a slow cooker; she boiled the meat and I brown it. But the basic recipe is the same, and the result is a savory, tender roast that only requires a few frugal ingredients and absolutely no processed ones.

Making this dish not only reminds me of my husband’s – and now my – Greek heritage, it also reminds me that I have a lot to learn from those people who do crazy, wise things like wash freezer bags and refuse to get credit cards.

Simple Greek-Inspired Beef Roast

Serves 6

Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds beef roast
  • 1/3 cup olive oil, butter, or other fat (here’s a frugal healthy fat!)
  • 3/4 cup onion, chopped
  • 6-7 whole cloves
  • 5-6 peppercorns
  • 1 two or three inch-long cinnamon stick (sounds unusual but trust me – it’s good)
  • 1 ½ – 2 cups tomato juice (I’ve successfully substituted diced tomatoes)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

  1. Pour half of the oil in the bottom of a large skillet and brown the roast on the skillet, using tongs to carefully flip it over and brown it on all sides.
  2. Place browned roast in the bottom of your slow cooker and add tomato juice, cloves, peppercorns, and cinnamon.
  3. Pour the rest of the oil into the skillet and sauté the onions until translucent.
  4. Pour the onions on top of the roast, scraping the sides of the skillet to get any extra oil or fat to add to the slow cooker.
  5. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve over brown rice (with a Simple Greek Salad, if desired).

When Steph and her husband got married, they lived in a renovated shed and had a grocery budget that matched. As a passionate whole-foodie, Steph was determined to continue eating healthy, minimally-processed foods on their shoestring budget. So The Cheapskate Cook was born.

 

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About Stacy

Stacy is a Homemaking and Business Mom Mentor, the author of two cookbooks, creator of multiple e-courses, seasoned life coach, and comedian extraordinaire. Her first priority is her husband and her children - family first. She presses on each day because her calling is to teach, train, and mentor other ladies to have their dreams. She believes if it’s not easy, you won’t do it – because she’s lived it. She’ll bring YOU the awesome so that you can get your home back into control and watch your business soar. For tips and easy strategies, you can follow her on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the content above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I may receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Comment Policy: I love reading your thoughts and input on what you read here. I'm sure we'll disagree sometimes and that's okay! In those cases, do what's right for you and yours. As with any form of communication, only post comments that move the discussion in a positive direction.

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Comments

  1. Complete Uttarakhand Tour Guide says

    December 12, 2022 at 12:53 am

    Super excited to try this Greek Inspired Beef Roast, this one seems delicious . Thanks for sharing this one with us , will love to share with others.

    Reply
  2. Samantha says

    August 13, 2022 at 2:48 am

    This Simple Greek-Inspired Beef Roast seems amazing and unique . Super excited to try this one, thanks for sharing with us.

    Reply
  3. Beckie says

    May 6, 2021 at 9:51 pm

    I grew up on this. We use tomato sauce and ground cinnamon. We serve it over spaghetti. It’s my son’s favorite. I made it today.

    Reply
    • staceface1981 says

      May 7, 2021 at 8:30 am

      Yummy!

      Reply
  4. Mary says

    December 11, 2018 at 3:39 pm

    If I don’t have whole cinnamon sticks, peppercorns and cloves on hand, could I used ground?

    Reply
    • Julie Chittock says

      December 21, 2018 at 8:21 am

      Yes, you definitely can use ground. Don’t use too much cloves, though! The flavor is stronger from the ground spices. I would start with 1/4 teaspoon of cloves and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper and cinnamon. Thanks Mary!
      Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team

      Reply
  5. CrazyQuilt Woman says

    October 16, 2016 at 7:18 pm

    I made this today. I wish I could post a picture. It was so good. I used V-8 instead of tomato juice and I added a bay leaf. I could smell the cinnamon and cloves as it was cooking. But couldn’t taste it much in the meat. But it was exceptionally tender.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 17, 2016 at 6:48 am

      I’m so glad you liked it, Nancy! Thanks for sharing your review here.

      Reply
  6. Erin says

    October 7, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    If set to high, how long should it take?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 10, 2016 at 5:48 am

      As a general rule, you can cook things in half the time on high.

      Reply
  7. Lisa Crowder says

    September 26, 2016 at 9:38 am

    I just put it in the crock pot. I can’t wait to eat it before the debates tonight. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      September 27, 2016 at 7:39 am

      Hope you enjoyed it! And by “it” I mean the roast…because enjoying the debates is….debatable. lol

      Reply
  8. Angela says

    September 3, 2016 at 10:16 am

    It doesn’t say when to add the tomato juice

    Reply
    • Angela says

      September 3, 2016 at 10:16 am

      Im dumb- i just saw it. Ignore me please

      Reply
      • Stacy says

        September 5, 2016 at 5:11 pm

        I’m glad you found it!

        Reply
  9. Sandra says

    May 15, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    Oh yum, looks delicious.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      May 15, 2012 at 4:33 pm

      Thanks! 🙂 I think it sounds good too….Steph knows her stuff.

      Reply
  10. Miz Helen says

    May 14, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    Hi Stacy,
    Your Crock Pot Greek Roast looks delicious. I just love the flavor combination and can’t wait to try it. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a great week and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      May 14, 2012 at 6:07 pm

      It’s a different blend, but people seem to love it!

      Reply
  11. Lea H @ Nourishing Treasures says

    May 13, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    Thank you for your submission on Nourishing Treasures’ Make Your Own! Monday link-up.

    Check back later tonight when the new link-up is running to see if you were one of the top 3 featured posts! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Beth @ Aunt B's Kitchen says

    May 8, 2012 at 1:04 pm

    Great combination of flavours. I’ve pinned this for future reference.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      May 8, 2012 at 3:36 pm

      Enjoy! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Swathi says

    May 8, 2012 at 1:32 pm

    Delicious, Looks perfect. Thanks for Sharing with Hearth and Soul blog hop.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      May 8, 2012 at 2:02 pm

      You are most welcome!

      Reply
  14. Jami Leigh says

    May 4, 2012 at 10:44 pm

    Mmmm!!! That looks so yummy!!! We LOVE tomatoes in our house 🙂

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      May 5, 2012 at 6:21 am

      Here too! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Moe says

    May 4, 2012 at 7:06 pm

    I’m allergic to tomatoes, think I could use broth instead?
    Thanks,
    Moe

    Reply
    • Steph (The Cheapskate Cook) says

      May 4, 2012 at 9:41 pm

      Yep! Should work great.

      Reply
  16. Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy says

    May 4, 2012 at 10:16 am

    Cinnamon! That sounds awesome. I wish my husband could eat tomatoes b/c I would definitely make this. 🙁 But I think I will try cinnamon with beef in some other configuration because that just really intrigues me!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      May 4, 2012 at 12:13 pm

      I know! I think cinnamon is awesome in almost any dish…but I feel the same way about vanilla. LOL

      Reply
    • Steph (The Cheapskate Cook) says

      May 4, 2012 at 9:43 pm

      You can try subbing stock or broth, Anne!

      Reply
  17. Amanda says

    May 4, 2012 at 8:55 am

    This looks interesting… I’ve never had a pot roast that uses cinnamon before.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      May 4, 2012 at 12:15 pm

      Me either, but this sounds awesome!

      Reply
    • Steph (The Cheapskate Cook) says

      May 4, 2012 at 9:46 pm

      The cinnamon is a pretty mild flavor. I was surprised to find out it was in there. If you’re skeptical of it, you can use less, and rosast still turns out great.

      Reply
  18. Benjamin says

    May 4, 2012 at 7:45 am

    Hmmmm…. the cinnamon and tomato juice is an interesting combo that I wouldn’t have thought of. I need to dig around in my deep-freeze and see if I have a roast hiding in there. Thanks for sharing Steph!

    Reply
  19. Becca C says

    May 4, 2012 at 7:07 am

    Holy wow. I MUST make this soon!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      May 4, 2012 at 7:28 am

      And then tell me how it was! 🙂 I’ve about beefed my family out this pregnancy. LOL

      Reply
      • Becca C says

        May 4, 2012 at 11:24 am

        Making mine, I didn’t brown the roast or cook the onions first, because I’m too lazy today. LOL I’m still unsure about adding the cinnamon since I have picky eaters. I’d love for Stephanie to come chime in about it. 😀 I’ll let you know how it turns out!

        Reply
        • Stacy says

          May 4, 2012 at 11:35 am

          Awesome! We’re having hamburgers because it’s Friday. 🙂

          Reply
    • Steph (The Cheapskate Cook) says

      May 4, 2012 at 8:32 am

      Glad you like the sound of it! We don’t do roasts very often, but this is so simple and delicious.

      Reply
    • Steph (The Cheapskate Cook) says

      May 4, 2012 at 9:06 pm

      Becca – I’m sure you can leave the cinnamon out if you prefer. However, it adds a very mild flavor that compliments the beef without being too strong. Using less or leaving it out shouldn’t hurt.

      Reply


Hello! I’m Stacy!

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