Brewed Chipotle Salsa Beef Sandwiches – Crock Pot

1 large sweet onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 (3 lb) beef sirloin tip roast, cut in half
1 jar (16 oz) chipotle salsa
1/2 cup beer
1 envelope beef onion soup mix
8 to 10 kaiser or other hard rolls

Put the onion in your crockpot and put roast.
In separate bowl, put the salsa, beer, and onion soup mix, and stir together, then immediately pour over beef in crockpot.
Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or until meat is very tender.
Remove beef to platter and shred by pulling apart with two forks; then return shredded beef to crockpot. Stir and allow to reheat. Serve on hearty rolls. Makes 8 to 10 sandwiches.

Italian Au Jus Dippers

What You Need:

1 (18.5 oz.) can of French onion soup
1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
3/4 lb. roast beef, sliced thin
6 (3 to 4 in) French rolls
6 slices of provolone cheese

How to Make It:

Pour the soup into a saucepan and stir in the Italian seasoning.
Place the soup over medium heat and bring to a boil
Add the roast beef slices and stirring occasionally cook for 5 minutes or until heated through.
Cut the French rolls in half lengthwise.
Cut the slices of cheese into 2 pieces each.
Place a slice of cheese onto the bottom of each cut roll.
Add slices of the roast beef over the cheese and add the second slice of cheese.
Top with the remaining French roll halves.
Pour the soup into small bowls and use as a dip for the sandwiches.

Makes 6 servings

Children love to be the center of attention as well as impressing their friends and family. These sandwiches are a great for serving when the kids want to impress their friends with the culinary creativeness. Teach them how to pronounce au jus and let them know it’s the French way of saying “with juice”. Their friends will be really impressed with how smart they are.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 5 minutes
Total Time: approximately 20 minutes

Rosemary Beef with Carrots and Parsnips

roast

What You Need:

4 tbsp brown mustard
1 (4 lb.) beef roast
1 tbsp garlic, minced
2 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tbsp canola oil
8 oz. parsnips cut into small chunks
1 1/2 lb. carrots cut into small chunks
2 C beef broth
2 tbsp flour

How to Make It:

Place a meat rack into a shallow baking pan and preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Brush the mustard over the entire roast and place the roast on the meat rack.
In a bowl toss together the garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper and sprinkle 3/4 of the mixture over the roast.
Roast for 25 minutes on the top oven rack.
Line a baking sheet with foil.
Place the oil and remaining herb mixture into a bowl and stir to blend well.
Add the parsnips and carrots and toss to goat them well.
After 25 minutes reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees.
Put the vegetables in the oven on the bottom rack.
Roast both the meat and vegetables for 1 hour or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees.
Place the roast on a platter and tent with foil to keep warm and leave the vegetables in the oven.
Let the roast stand covered for 20 minutes.
Place the roasting pan on the stove over medium high heat and add the broth.
Scrape the bottom of the pan to break loose any brown bits then whisk in the flour.
Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to medium, stirring constantly.
Continue to cook and stir for 2 minutes or until the gravy is as thick as you like.
Remove the vegetables and place in a serving bowl.
Slice the roast and serve topped with the gravy.

Makes 6 servings

The parsnips take place of those starchy potatoes and they taste just as good. Vegetables are a good source of nutrition and often times we leave these important foods out of our diets. With this dish you can have your cake and eat it too.

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time: approximately 2 hours 05 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate amounts per serving)
Calories 498; Fat 23g; Saturated Fat 9g; Carbohydrates 16g; Protein 50g; Fiber 4g;
Cholesterol 138mg; Sodium 647mg

Beef and Bean Cowboy Wraps

cowboywrap

What You Need:

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 (28 oz.) can barbecue flavored baked beans
2 C frozen whole kernel corn
4 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 C reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded
12 (8 in.) flour tortillas
3 C lettuce, shredded
1 1/2 C tomatoes, chopped
3/4 C reduced fat sour cream

How to Make It:

Break the beef up in a large skillet.
Place the skillet over medium heat and cook the beef, stirring often for 8 minutes or until cooked through.
Drain the beef and return it to the skillet.
Stir in the beans, corn and Worcestershire sauce well.
Bring the mixture to a bowl then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
Evenly sprinkle the cheese over the top of the meat mixture and cook 2 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Spread the 1/2 C of the mixture down the middle of each tortilla.
Place lettuce, tomatoes and a little sour cream over the meat.
Roll each of the tortillas around the filling and serve.

Makes 12 wraps

These wraps are a great way to get the men in your life to start eating healthier. Try adding chopped onion or chopped bell peppers for a little extra flavor and add nutrition.

Preparation Time: approximately 10 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 15 minutes
Total Time: approximately 25 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate amount per wrap)
Calories 373; Fat 11gt; Saturated Fat 4g; Carbohydrates 50g; Protein 20g; Fiber 4g; Cholesterol 27mg; Sodium 605mg

Mushroom Burgers from the Microwave

What You Need:

1/4 C of cornstarch
2 (10 1/2 oz.) cans of condensed beef consommé
1 (6 oz.) jar of sliced mushrooms
4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dried basil
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 C of bread crumbs
1 onion, chopped fine
1/2 tsp season salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

How to Make It:

Place the cornstarch and consommé together in a bowl and whisk until smooth.
Add the mushrooms, Worcestershire sauce and basil and stir until blended in well.
Place the egg, bread crumbs, onion, salt and pepper into a bowl and stir to combine.
Add the meat to the bread crumb mixture and mix well.
Form the meat mixture into 6 patties.
Arrange the patties in a 1 1/2 qt microwave safe dish and cover.
Place the dish in the microwave and cook on high for 6 minutes.
Drain off any liquid and rearrange the patties moving the ones inside to the outside and the ones outside to the inside.
Pour the mushroom gravy over the patties.
Recover the dish and return to the microwave.
Cook the burgers on high 10 minutes or until the meat is completely cooked through.

Makes 6 servings

Could a delicious meal be any simpler? These mushroom burgers taste great with mashed potatoes and a side of fresh corn or a side of noodles or rice topped with the delicious gravy.

Grilled Orange Salsa Steak

grilledsteak

What You Need:

1/2 C of soy sauce
1/2 C green onions, chopped and divided
3 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp hot sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
2 lbs. boneless sirloin steak, 1 inch thick
2 oranges, peeled, sectioned and chopped
2 tbsp orange juice
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp lemon, chopped
1 tbsp lime, chopped
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp cilantro
1 tsp jalapeno pepper, minced
1/2 tsp lemon peel, grated
1/2 tsp lime peel, grated
1/8 tsp salt

How to Make It:

Put the soy sauce and 1/4 C of the green onions into a large sealable bag.
Add the lime juice, brown sugar, hot sauce and garlic, seal the bag and shake to blend.
Place the steak into the marinade, seal the bag and turn to coat.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours, turning the bag occasionally to keep the meat well covered.
Preheat the grill to medium heat.
Remove the steak from the marinade, place it on the grill and discard the marinade.
Grill the steak for 5 minutes.
Turn the steak and grill for 5 minutes longer or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees for a medium done steak.
Cool the steak and slice across the grain.
Place the remaining ingredients into a mixing bowl and stir until blended together well.
Sever the salsa over the slices of steak.

Makes 4 servings

The citrus salsa adds a little zing to this delicious grilled steak leaving you with no need for that heavy steak sauce. The marinade gives you a steak that is moist and full of flavor. To grill the steak to medium rare the meat thermometer should read 145 degrees and for well done it should read 170 degrees.

Savory Roasted Beef Tenderloin

roastbeef

What You Need:

1 C of soy sauce
3/4 C of beef broth
1/2 C of olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp salt
1 bay leaf
1 (3 1/2 lb) beef tenderloin

How to Make It:

In a large resealable bag mix together the soy sauce, beef broth, oil and vinegar.
Place the hot sauce, garlic, pepper, thyme and salt into the bag and shake to blend.
Take out 1 C of the marinade and refrigerate for basting.
Add the bay leaf to the bag.
Place the tenderloin into the bag and seal.
Turn the bag to coat the meat well with the marinade.
Refrigerate overnight.
Set the oven temperature to 425 degrees and let the oven preheat.
Place a meat rack into the center of a roasting pan.
Place the meat onto the rack and discard the marinade.
Baste the meat with the reserved marinade.
Roast the meat for 1 hour or until it is cooked the way you like, being sure to baste often.
Allow the meat to stand at least 15 minutes before carving.

Makes 6 servings

Roasting meat brings out the full flavor and marinating it leaves the roasted meat nice and juicy. To determine if your roast is cooked the way you like it use an internal meat thermometer. For well done meat the temperature should reach 170 degrees. If you like your meat cooked medium the temperature should reach 160 degrees and for medium rare is should reach 145 degrees. An eye of round roast may be substituted for the tenderloin if you prefer.

Easy Homemade Taco Salad

tacosalad

What You Need:

6 (10 in) flour tortillas
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 1/2 tsp bottled garlic
1 (15 oz.) kidney beans
1 (8 oz.) jar taco sauce
3/4 C frozen corn, thawed
6 C leaf lettuce, shredded
1 C green bell pepper, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
3/4 C sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

How to Make It:

Preset the oven temperature to 350 degrees.
Spray 6 heatproof bowls with a non stick cooking spray.
Spray one side of each tortilla then form one tortilla around each bowl, coated side up.
Bake for 18 minutes or until browned then remove and allow to cool slightly.
Place he meat and garlic into a skillet placed over medium heat.
Brown, stirring often, for 10 minutes or until cooked through.
Drain well and return to the skillet.
Add the beans, taco sauce and corn, stir and bring to a boil.
Cover, reduce the heat to medium low and simmer 10 minutes.
Toss the lettuce, bell pepper and tomato together in a large bowl.
Fill each taco shell bowl with the lettuce mixture.
Top the lettuce with the prepared beef and garlic.
Spread the cheese evenly over each salad.

Makes 6 servings

Making your own salad shells saves money. These shells can be rather expensive not to mention that more often than not they can’t be found on the grocery store shelf. Use leftover ground beef to make them even more budget friendly.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 28 minutes
Total Time: approximately 43 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 412; Fat 18g; Saturated Fat 6g; Carbohydrates 45g; Fiber 8g; Protein 21g; Cholesterol 35 mg; Sodium 632 mg

Beef Stew in Savory Broth

beefstew

What You Need:

2 Tbsp canola oil
3 lbs. beef stew meat
4 carrots, sliced
4 celery stalks, sliced
2 onions cut into wedges
2 C of beef broth
3 Tbsp quick cooking tapioca
2 tsp bottled minced garlic
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp pepper

How to Make It:

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Stir in the meat and cook until browned on all sides.
Drain the meat and place into the slow cooker.
Place the carrots, celery and onion over the meat.
Add the broth, tapioca and garlic stirring to combine.
Stir in the seasonings until blended in well.
Cover and cook on low for 10 hours or until the meat and vegetables are tender.

Makes 4 servings

Not only is beef stew a comfort food but is great for the budget. Freeze this stew or any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat the stew for another meal or turn it into a pot pie or stroganoff. To make it into a great stroganoff just add an 8 oz. container of sour cream, 1 tbsp of flour and 2 C of sliced mushrooms. Serve it over noodles for a budget friendly delicious meal.

Preparation Time: approximately 25 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 5 hours on high
Total Time: 5 hours 25 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 549; Fat 13g; Saturated Fat 4g; Carbohydrates 50g; Fiber 5g; Protein 49g;
Cholesterol 125 mg; Sodium 1,309 mg

Herb Chuck Roasts with Vegetables

roastveggies

What You Need:

4 carrots cut into pieces
3 potatoes, peeled and cut into pieces
1 onion, sliced
2/3 C of beef broth
2 Tbsp quick cooking tapioca
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp bottled minced garlic
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 (1 1/2 lb.) boneless beef chuck roasts

How to Cook It:

Place the carrots, potatoes and onions into the crock pot.
Add the broth, tapioca, tomato paste and garlic and stir to blend well.
In a small bowl combine the oregano, basil, fennel, pepper, salt and thyme.
With your fingers rub the seasoning mixture into both sides of the roasts.
Place the prepared roasts over the vegetables.
Cover the crock pot and cook low for 11 hours or on high 6 hours or until tender.

Makes 6 servings

There is a lot of meat in this economical dish. That’s what makes it so budget friendly. The extra meat can be used for many other dishes. Place the leftover meat and a little of the cooking juice into air tight containers. Seal and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator then use in casseroles, for shredded beef sandwiches, Manhattans or any of your favorite beef main course meals.

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 6 hours
Total Time: approximately 6 hours 20 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 430; Fat 8g; Saturated Fat 2g; Carbohydrates 48g; Fiber 6g; Protein 37g;
Cholesterol 89 mg; Sodium 346 mg