Slow Cooker Roast Beef

Blog by Callie Birtles, RHN + Recipe by Katie Stewart, RHN

Who doesn’t love delicious and savoury roast beef? It’s a comfort food for many of us, reminding us of good times around the dinner table with our loved ones. But did you know the ingredients you select could be having an impact on your skin? Below, we’ll dig into the benefits of using organic, grass-fed beef, and we’ll also share a delicious recipe for your next Sunday night dinner that your whole family will love!

The Beef With Beef and Your Skin

Conventional vs. Naturally Raised

In a world where convenience often precedes quality, it’s crucial to understand the potential downsides of choosing conventionally raised beef. Factory farming, an industry focused on intensive animal husbandry, often confines livestock in limited spaces, exposing them to a diet rich in GMOs, growth hormones, and antibiotics. This practice aims to promote rapid growth and prevent diseases but has significant drawbacks for your skin. 

Antibiotic Resistance Concerns

The routine use of antibiotics in livestock can contribute to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing a serious threat to global health. This resistance can impact humans through the food chain, direct animal contact, or environmental spread. The World Health Organization identifies antibiotic resistance as a major global health concern, making antibiotic-free beef crucial for personal and public health. Antibiotics are known to disrupt the natural balance of your gut microbiome, which is another trigger for inflammation.

You Are What Your Food Eats

Conventionally raised beef often consumes a diet high in genetically modified grains, leading to higher fat accumulation and an imbalanced omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio. The Western diet already leans toward excessive omega-6 fats, and consuming beef with an imbalanced ratio can exacerbate inflammation, a root cause of acne.  Inflammation is one of the first focus areas our coaches in The Clear Skin Solution address with our clients. On the other hand, grass-fed beef contains up to 5 times as much omega 3s due to its natural diet, offering a leaner fat profile and higher concentrations of essential nutrients.

Nutritional Powerhouse

Now, let’s delve into the nutritional benefits that make grass-fed, organic beef a superior choice for your skin and overall health.

• Iron: Organic grass-fed beef is a rich source of iron, vital for oxygen transport to cells, promoting a healthy complexion.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Grass-fed beef boasts elevated levels of omega-3 fatty acids, known for their anti-inflammatory properties, supporting a calmer and more balanced complexion.

• Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): Abundant in grass-fed beef, CLA offers various health benefits, including potential anti-inflammatory effects, contributing to a clearer, healthier complexion.

• Zinc: An excellent source of zinc, grass-fed beef plays a crucial role in wound healing, collagen formation, and maintaining skin barrier integrity.

The Humble Potato

It’s easy to vilify the humble potato, especially when you associate it with inflammation-inducing snacks like chips or french fries. But it’s not the potato’s problem; it’s how we choose to cook and consume it. Simply baked or roasted potatoes, on the other hand, can be a skin-friendly food.

Potatoes are a rich source of potassium, a vital nutrient for our adrenal glands. Stress is a constant factor in our modern lives, causing our adrenal glands to work overtime, producing cortisol. Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone,” its prolonged elevation has numerous effects on the body, stimulating the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum – hello, breakouts.

A potassium-rich diet can balance electrolyte levels, support nerve function, and regulate muscle contractions – all crucial factors in managing stress levels. Unfortunately, many of us fall short of the recommended daily intake of 3500 mg. So next time you think about potatoes, consider a healthier baked or roasted version like the recipe below – your skin might just thank you for it.

Slow Cooker Beef Roast

An easy and hearty Slow Cooker Beef Roast with nutrient-dense vegetables and herbs. Full of flavour and protein for the perfect winter meal.

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Ingredients

• 3 lb beef roast (see notes)
• 1 tbsp avocado oil
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 cups white onion (diced)
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• 6 carrots (cut lengthwise in 2” chunks)
• 4 celery stalks (thinly sliced)
• 2-3 cups mini potatoes (skin-on/halved)
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• In a large pan, sear roast on each side in avocado oil for 5 minutes until brown. Transfer to a slow cooker.
• Add onions and garlic to the pan and slowly caramelize.
• Add 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• When translucent, deglaze with balsamic vinegar. Cook for another 3-5 minutes until onions absorb liquid.
• Add onions on top of the roast and prepped carrots, celery and potatoes.
• Pour in broth and season the roast and vegetables with salt and pepper.
• Add in a sprig each of rosemary & thyme.
• Cook on low for 8 hours.

Notes

There are lots of cut options for roast beef. You want a cut that's rich in flavour and beautifully tender. Ideally, look for a cut with a good marbling of fat – the little white flecks in the meat – because that gives it that delicious taste and keeps it juicy while roasting.

 

Common Cuts for Roast Beef:

 

Prime Rib Roast - This one's a classic, super tender with lots of flavours.

 

Top Sirloin - This cut is a real gem as it’s known for being tender yet leaner than some other cuts. Top Sirloin offers a great balance of flavour and tenderness.

 

Chuck Roast - This is a really economical choice. This cut turns out super tender and flavourful when given the necessary time.

 

Rump Roast - This one's from the back of the cow and is a bit firmer. It's got a lot of flavours and is usually more affordable.

 

Blade Roast - Known for its rich flavour, this cut is also a more affordable option. It becomes incredibly tender and falls apart easily when cooked low and slow.