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Crockpot Cheeseburgers

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Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (Active Prep: 15 minutes | Slow Cook: 4 hours)
Intensity Level: Very Easy (Beginner-Friendly, Minimal Hands-On Effort)
Yield: 6 hearty servings

Tired of the same old weeknight dinners but short on time? Enter Crockpot Cheeseburgers—a genius, deconstructed twist on the all-American classic that lets your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting. Imagine the iconic flavors of a juicy cheeseburger—savory ground beef, melted cheese, tangy pickles, and a special sauce—transformed into a rich, hearty, and spoonable masterpiece. Perfect for busy families, game day gatherings, or when you simply crave deep comfort with zero fuss, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Just brown, dump, set, and forget!

Ingredients

For the “Burger” Base:

  • 2 lbs (900g) lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10 works best)

  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Slow Cooker Sauce:

  • 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup

  • 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

  • ¼ cup ketchup

  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish (plus more for serving)

For Layering & Serving:

  • 2 cups (8 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

  • 6 hamburger buns, toasted

  • Optional Toppings: Sliced dill pickles, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced red onion, extra mustard or ketchup.

Equipment

  • Large skillet

  • Slow cooker (6-quart or larger)

  • Wooden spoon or spatula

  • Measuring cups and spoons

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Beef (10 minutes | Medium Intensity)

  1. Heat your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion.

  2. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are softened, about 7-8 minutes. In the last minute, add the minced garlic, salt, and pepper, cooking until fragrant.

  3. Crucial Step: Drain any excess grease from the skillet. This prevents the final dish from being oily.

Step 2: Assemble in the Crockpot (5 minutes | Low Intensity)

  1. Transfer the drained beef mixture to the bowl of your slow cooker and spread it evenly.

  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together both cans of soup, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and pickle relish until smooth.

  3. Pour this sauce mixture over the beef in the slow cooker and stir gently to combine.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection (4 hours on LOW | No Intensity)

  1. Cover the slow cooker with the lid.

  2. Cook on LOW heat for 4 hours. (If you must shorten the time, you can cook on HIGH for 2 hours, but LOW yields the most tender, melded flavors). Do not stir during cooking.

Step 4: The Cheesy Finish (Last 15 minutes of cook time)

  1. About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the beef mixture.

  2. Re-cover the slow cooker and let it cook for the remaining 15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!

  1. Gently stir the melted cheese into the beef mixture.

  2. Spoon the hot, cheesy Crockpot Cheeseburger mixture generously onto the toasted bottoms of your hamburger buns.

  3. Top with your favorite burger fixings—extra pickle relish, sliced pickles, tomato, lettuce, and onion are all fantastic.

  4. Crown with the top bun and serve immediately. Alternatively, serve over toasted buns open-faced, or even as a dip with fries or tortilla chips!

Chef’s Notes & Tips for Success

  • Leaner Beef is Better: Using a leaner ground beef (85/15) is important because there’s no way to drain fat once it’s in the slow cooker. Draining well after browning is key.

  • Flavor Boost: For a deeper flavor, add a teaspoon of smoked paprika or onion powder to the sauce mixture.

  • Make it “Bacon Cheeseburger”: Add ½ cup of real bacon bits to the beef mixture before cooking.

  • Storage & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it has thickened too much. This dish does not freeze well due to the dairy-based sauce.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving, without optional toppings)

  • Calories: ~520

  • Total Fat: 28g

  • Saturated Fat: 13g

  • Cholesterol: 115mg

  • Sodium: 1280mg

  • Total Carbohydrates: 30g

  • Dietary Fiber: 2g

  • Sugars: 8g

  • Protein: 38g

*Nutritional values are estimates calculated using a 90/10 ground beef and specific brand ingredients. Values may vary depending on your chosen products and portion sizes.*

The Last Bite

Crockpot Cheeseburgers are more than just a recipe; they’re a solution. They capture the nostalgic, satisfying essence of a cookout favorite and repackage it into the easiest, most comforting dump-and-go meal. The slow cooking process allows every ingredient to meld into a uniquely delicious, savory, and cheesy filling that’s irresistibly scoopable. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that asks so little of you but gives back so much in flavor and ease. So, plug in your slow cooker, gather your simplest ingredients, and get ready for the most relaxed “burger night” you’ve ever had.

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