Are you craving a mouthwatering, tender beef dish that's both incredibly delicious and diet-friendly? Look no further! This Quick Easy Crock Pot Italian Beef recipe is about to become your new go-to meal that will have your taste buds dancing and your health goals cheering. With just minutes of prep time and eight hours of slow-cooking magic, you'll create a restaurant-quality meal that's so simple, even novice cooks can master it effortlessly.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 8 hrs
Total Time: 8 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef chuck roast
- 1 packet Italian dressing mix
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Optional: low carb bread or lettuce wraps for serving
Instructions
- Remove beef chuck roast from refrigerator and pat dry with paper towels to ensure even seasoning.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine Italian dressing mix, garlic powder, and onion powder. Create a dry rub by thoroughly coating the entire surface of the beef roast with the seasoning mixture.
- Place the seasoned beef roast into the crock pot, ensuring it sits flat at the bottom of the cooking vessel.
- Pour beef broth and Worcestershire sauce around the roast, being careful not to wash off the dry seasoning.
- Cover the crock pot with its lid and set to low heat setting. Cook for 8 hours, allowing the beef to become tender and easily shredded.
- After 8 hours, carefully remove the roast from the crock pot and place on a large cutting board.
- Using two forks, shred the beef, discarding any large pieces of fat. The meat should pull apart easily and be very tender.
- Optional: For low carb serving, use lettuce wraps as a base. For those wanting a more traditional option, use low carb bread.
- Spoon the shredded beef into wraps or bread, and optionally drizzle with remaining cooking liquid for extra flavor.
Tips
- Pat the beef dry before seasoning to help the spices adhere better and create a more flavorful crust.
- For maximum tenderness, choose a well-marbled chuck roast that will break down beautifully during slow cooking.
- Don't rush the cooking process - the 8-hour low and slow method is crucial for achieving melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- If you're watching carbs, stick to lettuce wraps or low-carb bread alternatives for serving.
- Save the cooking liquid - it's packed with flavor and can be used as a delicious au jus or additional sauce.
- For meal prep, this beef freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 387kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 120mg
