Description
This Crockpot BBQ Beef recipe offers a warm, comforting meal with smoky flavors and tender, juicy beef slow-cooked to perfection. Ideal for easy weeknight dinners or relaxing weekend feasts, it delivers rich, savory goodness in every bite with a thick, luscious sauce made from natural ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pounds beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat
- 6 slices smoked turkey bacon
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
BBQ Sauce
- 6 tablespoons tomato paste (natural)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (natural)
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Additions
- 4 smoked turkey slices (for extra smokiness and texture)
- 1/4 cup grape juice (natural) for sweet and tangy variation
Thickening Agent
- 1 to 2 teaspoons natural gelling agent dissolved in a small amount of water
Instructions
- Prepare the beef and bacon: Trim excess fat from the beef chuck roast to ensure even cooking. Brown the smoked turkey bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat until softened and fragrant, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Mix the sauce: In a bowl, combine tomato paste (natural), brown sugar (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until fully blended to create the BBQ sauce.
- Layer ingredients in the crockpot: Place the trimmed beef chuck roast at the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the BBQ sauce mixture evenly over the beef. Add the sautéed onions, garlic, and crumbled smoked turkey bacon on top. Optionally, add smoked turkey slices for extra smokiness.
- Slow cook: Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours or on high heat for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
- Shred and thicken: Using two forks, shred the beef directly in the crockpot. Stir in the natural gelling agent dissolved in a small amount of water to thicken the sauce to a luscious consistency.
- Finish and serve: Mix well and continue heating for an additional 10 minutes to blend flavors and warm through. Your Crockpot BBQ Beef is ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Brown the meat first to add depth of flavor and lock in juices.
- Use smoked turkey bacon for smoky character without overpowering the beef.
- Do not skip the natural gelling agent to achieve a thick, clingy sauce that coats the beef well.
- Cook low and slow to ensure melt-in-your-mouth beef and well-blended flavors.
- Adjust sweetness and acidity by tasting the sauce before cooking and modifying brown sugar or vinegar as preferred.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze portions in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months, thaw overnight before reheating.
- Reheat gently on stovetop over low heat, adding water if necessary to loosen the sauce, or microwave in short bursts stirring in between.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Crockpot BBQ Beef, slow-cooked beef, BBQ beef recipe, smoked turkey bacon, gluten free BBQ, tender shredded beef, easy crockpot meals