Slow Cooker Italian Beef and Peppers
If you’re looking for an easy dinner that delivers big flavor with very little effort, this Slow Cooker Italian Beef & Peppers is a great choice.
Tender beef, sweet bell peppers, onions, and tangy pepperoncini slowly cook together in a savory Italian-inspired broth.
This is the kind of recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights because the slow cooker does most of the work. After several hours of cooking, the beef becomes tender enough to shred with a fork, while the peppers and onions soak up all those delicious juices.
You can serve the beef several different ways, too. Enjoy it over mashed potatoes, cauliflower mash, rice, or roasted vegetables, or pile it onto a toasted roll for a classic Italian beef sandwich.
The Ingredients
Lean Beef Chuck Roast: Beef provides high-quality protein, which helps make this meal filling and satisfying. It also provides important nutrients including iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. Trimming visible fat helps keep the recipe lighter.
Bell Peppers: Bell peppers add natural sweetness, color, and plenty of flavor without adding many calories. They’re also a good source of vitamin C and contain antioxidants.
Yellow Onion: Onions add a lot of flavor to the dish without requiring a heavy sauce. They’re also a source of vitamin C and contain beneficial plant compounds.
Low Sodium Beef Broth: Beef broth adds moisture and savory flavor as the beef cooks. Choosing a low-sodium variety gives you more control over the overall salt content.
Pepperoncini Peppers: Pepperoncini are one of the ingredients that really makes this recipe stand out. They provide tangy, slightly spicy flavor while adding very few calories.
Pepperoncini Juice: The pepperoncini juice adds acidity and flavor to the cooking liquid. It helps create that signature Italian beef flavor without needing a creamy or heavy sauce.
Worcestershire Sauce: A small amount of Worcestershire sauce adds savory, umami flavor to the beef. Because it is so flavorful, you only need a tablespoon.
Italian Seasoning: Italian seasoning is a simple way to add lots of flavor without adding significant calories or fat. It typically combines herbs such as oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary.
Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds savory garlic flavor throughout the beef without the need for additional butter or oil.
Onion Powder: Onion powder intensifies the savory flavor of the beef and complements the fresh onion in the recipe.
Dried Oregano: Oregano gives the dish a classic Italian flavor and allows you to build flavor without relying on a rich sauce.
Click here to track the points on your Weight Watchers app. The full nutrition information can be found at the bottom of the recipe card.
How to Make Slow Cooker Italian Beef & Peppers
Trim any visible fat from the chuck roast. Cut the roast into 2–3 large pieces so it cooks more evenly.
Add the sliced onion and bell peppers to the bottom of a slow cooker. Place the beef on top of the vegetables.
Whisk together the beef broth, pepperoncini juice, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes.
Pour the mixture over the beef and add the pepperoncini peppers.
Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours, or until the beef is very tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
Remove the beef and shred it with two forks. Return it to the slow cooker and stir it into the peppers and flavorful juices.
What to Serve With Italian Beef
There are plenty of ways to serve this beef depending on what you’re in the mood for.
- Mashed potatoes
- Cauliflower mash
- Roasted potatoes
- Rice
- Roasted vegetables
- A simple green salad
- Low carb tortillas
- Toasted hoagie rolls
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes. Chuck roast works particularly well because the longer cooking time helps break down the connective tissue and creates tender, shredded beef. You can also use another beef roast suitable for slow cooking, such as a rump roast.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely. Italian beef is a great make-ahead meal. Once cooled, store the beef and cooking juices in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in the slow cooker.
How do I make the beef spicier?
Use hot pepperoncini instead of mild, or increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes. You can also add sliced banana peppers or a few extra pepperoncini to the finished dish.
Slow Cooker Italian Beef & Peppers
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. lean beef chuck roast, trimmed of visible fat
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 (16 oz.) jar mild pepperoncini, drained (save the juice)
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini juice from the jar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Trim any visible fat from the chuck roast. Cut the roast into 2–3 large pieces so it cooks more evenly.
- Add the sliced onion and bell peppers to the bottom of a slow cooker. Place the beef on top of the vegetables.
- Whisk together the beef broth, pepperoncini juice, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour the mixture over the beef and add the pepperoncini peppers.
- Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours, or until the beef is very tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
- Remove the beef and shred it with two forks. Return it to the slow cooker and stir it into the peppers and flavorful juices.
Notes
Here are some more Weight Watchers friendly recipes:
Instant Pot Beer Braised Roast
Garlic Steak Bites with Roasted Vegetables
Are you looking for a meal plan that’s Weight Watchers friendly? I have over 300 meal plans that you can choose from and I post a new one each week. Click here to check them out!
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