Slow Cooker Beef Mince Recipe

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This Slow Cooker Beef Mince recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy days. Packed with tender ground beef, Japanese eggplant, cabbage, and a touch of sweetness from grated apple, it’s a comforting meal that comes together effortlessly in the slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Beef Mince Recipe on a white plate.

This recipe has a delicious mix of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors. The grated apple adds a touch of sweetness that balances perfectly with the rich beef and the savory taste of coconut aminos. Smoked paprika gives it just the right amount of smoky warmth.

The eggplant soaks up all the amazing flavors as it cooks, becoming soft and delicious. Paired with cabbage, which adds a slight crunch, the eggplant helps make this meal hearty, balanced, and satisfying. Like this Slow Cooker Turkey Curry, it’s a simple, wholesome dish that tastes like you put in a lot more effort than you actually did!

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Ingredients
Substitutions and variations
Preparation
Top Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Serving suggestions
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Recipe
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Ingredients

Ground Beef: The best type of ground beef for this Slow Cooker Beef Mince Recipe is 80/20 ground beef, which means it’s 80% lean meat and 20% fat. Like in these Ground Beef Stuffed Mini Peppers and Beef and Popcorn Shrimp Tacos, the fat content adds richness and flavor and helps keep the beef tender and juicy.
Eggplant: Using Japanese eggplant works well in the recipe because of its tender texture and thinner skin. It cooks down beautifully in the slow cooker, becoming soft and almost creamy. I started using Japanese eggplant more frequently lately after making my Honey Garlic Eggplant and Shrimp, and everyone loved it.
Cabbage: As it cooks in the slow cooker, cabbage softens but still retains a slight crunch; it holds up well without becoming mushy. Plus, cooked cabbage is super healthy! If you enjoy cooked cabbage, you should also try this Sautéed Cabbage with Mushrooms and Bacon recipe.
Coconut Aminos: A dark, savory sauce made from coconut tree sap and salt. It’s often used as a substitute for soy sauce, especially for people on gluten-free, paleo, or low-sodium diets. It has a mild, slightly sweet, and salty flavor, but is less salty than regular soy sauce. I use it in my Seaweed Salad and Ahi Tuna Appetizer and it's delicious!
Apple: A sweet-tart apple like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala works best for this recipe. These apples add sweetness and just a hint of tang.
Tomato Paste: adds rich umami flavor, a touch of sweetness, and a bit of acidity.

see the recipe card at the end of this post for the full ingredient list and quantities

Substitutions and variations

Ground Beef: Use ground turkey, chicken, or pork for a lighter option. Or, I sometimes like to combine turkey and chicken in one dish, like I did in this Mexican Style Meatloaf. Turned out great!
Coconut Aminos: Replace with soy sauce or tamari (another gluten-free alternative), but you would need to adjust the salt since soy sauce is usually saltier.
Apple: Use pear or even a small amount of applesauce for sweetness.
Tomato Paste: Use canned crushed tomatoes or a splash of tomato sauce, or marinara sauce.
Make it Spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for heat.
Add Veggies: Add diced bell peppers, carrots, or stir in sauteed mushrooms into the beef once it's cooked.

Preparation

STEP 1: Prepare the ingredients

Dice the eggplant, shred the cabbage, and chop the onion. Grate the apple and mince the garlic.

STEP 2: Mix the Sauce

water, coconut aminos, tomato paste, and seasonings in a small white bowl.

In a small bowl, combine the water, tomato paste, ground ginger, smoked paprika, coconut aminos, minced garlic, chopped onion, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.

STEP 3: Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker

ground beef combined with cabbage, eggplant, and seasonings and placed in slow cooker.

Add the ground beef, diced eggplant, cabbage, and grated apple to the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the top and mix everything thoroughly to combine.

STEP 4: Slow Cook

cooked beef mince in a crock of a slow cooker, stirred with a wooden spoon.

Cover and cook on low for about 7 hours, stirring halfway through (if possible). After it's cooked, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Top Tips

Grate the apple finely (you can use the large holes of a box grater) so that it blends into the sauce well.
If you have the extra time, sauté the ground beef in a skillet for a few minutes before adding it to the slow cooker. Pre-browning enhances flavor, reduces grease, and prevents clumping.
If you are not pre-browning, make sure to crumble the meat well before cooking.
Before serving, taste the meat and adjust seasonings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you overcook mince in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can overcook mince in a slow cooker, which may cause it to become dry or grainy. To avoid this, cook on low for 6–7 hours and make sure there’s enough liquid.

How to tell if mince is cooked in a slow cooker?

To check if beef mince is cooked through in a slow cooker, it should be brown throughout, it should crumble easily, and have clear juices. You can also use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Can I use frozen ground beef?

It's best to thaw the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker for even cooking.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

For sure! This recipe can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.

Serving suggestions

Serve the beef mince over rice, brown rice, mashed potatoes, or even quinoa. Spoon the cooked mince into large lettuce leaves (like the butter lettuce leaves I use in my Crispy Onion Shrimp Lettuce Tacos ) for a low-carb, fresh alternative. Serve with a slice of warm, crusty bread (like in this Burrata Bruschetta recipe) or toasted baguette to soak up the delicious sauce. Add a sprinkle of shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or feta) on top before serving.