Description
Discover how to make delicious Low Carb Slow Cooker Italian Beef that is packed with flavor and easy to prepare. Perfect for a satisfying meal anytime!
Ingredients
- 4 lb (1.8 kg) boneless beef chuck roast, fat trimmed and cut into large 6 inch x 6 inch chunks
- 2 tsp (10 ml) salt
- 1 tsp (5 ml) pepper
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
- 12 oz (340 g) whole banana peppers and their juice (one 12-ounce jar)
- 2 cups (480 ml) beef stock
- 1 large onion, peeled, cut in half and sliced
- 5 large cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) dried Italian seasonings (I used McCormick “Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning,” which is gluten-free)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) onion powder
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Start by setting the slow cooker to high temperature. Add the beef stock, banana peppers with their juice, sliced onion, chopped garlic, onion powder, bay leaf, and Italian seasonings. Mix these components to blend them well. (After adding the meat, you will reduce the slow cooker to low heat.)
- Slice the beef into uniform 6-inch pieces and remove any visible fat. Sprinkle the pieces evenly with salt and pepper.
- Pour olive oil into a large frying pan and heat it over high flame. Once the pan is hot, place the beef chunks inside, browning them on all sides by turning every 2-3 minutes. Transfer the browned beef, along with any juices, into the slow cooker. Arrange the meat in a single layer within the liquid and secure the lid.
- Lower the slow cooker to low heat and let it cook for 6 hours.
- Take off the lid and switch the slow cooker to warm. Pour the cooking juices into a bowl (approximately 3-4 cups). Skim off any excess fat. Strain the liquid to remove any solid bits and pour it into a saucepan. Simmer on the stove for 4-5 minutes. Pour the thickened liquid into a serving dish.
- Take the Italian beef out of the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Arrange it on a large serving dish, then add the onions and banana peppers. Discard any stems from the peppers, then sprinkle with shredded cheese of your choice. If needed, heat in the microwave to melt the cheese, and enjoy!
- Serve the dish with the reduced liquid as a dip and pair it with your choice of vegetables like cauliflower rice, spaghetti squash, or zucchini noodles. If not following a low-carb plan, you can use sandwich rolls to create subs, sliders, hoagies, etc.