This Low Carb Slow Cooker Italian Beef is a rich, savory dish made with tender shredded beef, pepperoncini peppers, garlic, and Italian herbs. Slow-cooked until melt-in-your-mouth tender, this flavorful beef is perfect for low-carb meals and keto-friendly dinners. It’s an easy set-it-and-forget-it recipe that delivers restaurant-style Italian beef right from your slow cooker.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Low Carb Slow Cooker Italian Beef is the perfect combination of comfort and convenience.
- Tender, juicy beef slow-cooked for maximum flavor
- Keto and low-carb friendly meal option
- Easy slow cooker recipe with minimal prep
- Perfect for meal prep and leftovers
- Delicious served with vegetables or low-carb sides
Ingredients
- 4 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into large chunks
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 ounces whole pepperoncini peppers with juice
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 5 large cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker.
Turn the slow cooker to high and add beef stock, pepperoncini peppers with their juice, sliced onion, chopped garlic, onion powder, bay leaf, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine. - Season the beef.
Cut the beef chuck roast into evenly sized chunks and trim any visible fat. Season with salt and black pepper. - Sear the beef.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Once hot, add the beef pieces and sear on all sides, turning every 2–3 minutes until browned. - Transfer to slow cooker.
Add the seared beef to the slow cooker along with any juices from the skillet. - Cook the beef.
Reduce the slow cooker heat to low and cook for about 6 hours until the beef becomes tender. - Prepare the cooking liquid.
Remove the lid and switch the slow cooker to warm. Carefully drain the cooking liquid into a bowl. - Skim off excess fat from the liquid, then strain it through a sieve.
- Pour the strained liquid into a saucepan and simmer for about 4–5 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Shred the beef.
Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. - Arrange the shredded beef on a serving platter and top with cooked onions and pepperoncini.
- Serve the Low Carb Slow Cooker Italian Beef with the reduced cooking liquid as a dipping sauce.
Tips & Tricks
- Searing the beef before slow cooking adds deeper flavor.
- Trim excess fat from the roast to keep the dish lighter.
- Pepperoncini peppers add tangy flavor without excessive heat.
- For extra richness, add a slice of provolone or mozzarella cheese on top.
- Use leftovers in lettuce wraps or low-carb bowls.
Details
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Italian-American
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary Notes: Keto, Low Carb, Gluten-Free
Notes
- Serve with cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or spaghetti squash for a low-carb meal.
- This beef also works well for keto sandwich bowls.
- If not following a low-carb diet, the beef can be served in sandwich rolls.
Nutrition (Approximate per serving)
Calories: 410
Protein: 38 g
Carbohydrates: 4 g
Fat: 27 g
FAQ
Is Italian beef keto-friendly?
Yes. This Low Carb Slow Cooker Italian Beef contains no bread or added sugar, making it suitable for keto diets.
Can I cook Italian beef longer in the slow cooker?
Yes. Cooking on low for up to 8 hours will make the beef even more tender.
Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?
Yes. Pressure cook the beef for about 60 minutes with natural release.
What cut of beef works best?
Chuck roast is ideal because it becomes tender and flavorful when slow-cooked.
How spicy are pepperoncini peppers?
They are mild and slightly tangy rather than spicy.
Storage
Refrigerator:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer:
Freeze shredded beef and sauce for up to 3 months.
Reheating:
Reheat gently in a skillet or saucepan with some cooking liquid.
Similar Recipes
Low Carb Slow Cooker Italian Beef
Ingredients
- 4 pounds boneless beef chuck roast trimmed and cut into large chunks
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 ounces whole pepperoncini peppers with juice
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 large onion sliced
- 5 large cloves garlic chopped
- 2 tablespoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
Prepare the slow cooker.
- Turn the slow cooker to high and add beef stock, pepperoncini peppers with their juice, sliced onion, chopped garlic, onion powder, bay leaf, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
Season the beef.
- Cut the beef chuck roast into evenly sized chunks and trim any visible fat. Season with salt and black pepper.
Sear the beef.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Once hot, add the beef pieces and sear on all sides, turning every 2–3 minutes until browned.
Transfer to slow cooker.
- Add the seared beef to the slow cooker along with any juices from the skillet.
Cook the beef.
- Reduce the slow cooker heat to low and cook for about 6 hours until the beef becomes tender.
Prepare the cooking liquid.
- Remove the lid and switch the slow cooker to warm. Carefully drain the cooking liquid into a bowl.
- Skim off excess fat from the liquid, then strain it through a sieve.
- Pour the strained liquid into a saucepan and simmer for about 4–5 minutes to reduce slightly.
Shred the beef.
- Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
- Arrange the shredded beef on a serving platter and top with cooked onions and pepperoncini.
- Serve the Low Carb Slow Cooker Italian Beef with the reduced cooking liquid as a dipping sauce.
Notes
- Serve with cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or spaghetti squash for a low-carb meal.
Conclusion
This Low Carb Slow Cooker Italian Beef is a simple yet incredibly flavorful meal that requires very little effort. Slow-cooked until tender and infused with Italian herbs and pepperoncini peppers, it’s a perfect comfort food dish that fits perfectly into low-carb and keto lifestyles.