Barley Free Crockpot Beef Barbacoa Stew
Slow-cooked beef stew is one of those deeply satisfying meals that feels like it took serious effort — but your crockpot does almost all the work. Chuck roast gets seared until deeply browned before it ever hits the slow cooker, which builds a rich, caramelized base that carries through every bite. The braising liquid layers coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, bone broth, and warm spices like turmeric and Ceylon cinnamon for a bold, complex flavor that's anything but ordinary. Carrots and sweet potatoes soak up all of that savory goodness over eight hours on low, turning impossibly tender alongside the fall-apart beef. For anyone navigating grain sensitivities, this recipe is naturally free of barley and any grain-based thickeners — the stew gets its body from the slow braise itself, no flour or malt-derived ingredients needed. Coconut aminos stand in for soy sauce without introducing any hidden grain derivatives, so the depth of flavor is there without the worry. Finish each bowl with a handful of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, and you've got a weeknight dinner that tastes like it came from a serious kitchen.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the beef
- 3 lb beef chuck roast, cut into 3-inch chunks
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
For the braising liquid
- 1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 2 cups bone broth
- 2 bay leaves
For the stew
- 3 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 ½-inch chunks
For serving
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Pat the beef chunks dry with paper towels and season all over with the salt. Heat the coconut oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in two batches to avoid crowding, sear the beef on two sides until deeply browned, about 3–4 minutes per side. Transfer the seared beef to the slow cooker insert.
- 2
Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4–5 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the turmeric, Ceylon cinnamon, oregano, and thyme and cook for 30 seconds, until the spices are fragrant and evenly coat the aromatics.
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