Ingredients:

  • 1 lb lean ground beef (93% lean)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup tomato sauce (no salt added)
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp coconut sugar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until browned and no longer pink.
  2. Stir in the diced onion and green pepper. Sauté for 3–5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 60 seconds until it smells fragrant. Note: Garlic burns quickly, so don't let it sit too long.
  4. Transfer the browned meat and vegetable mixture into the slow cooker.
  5. Pour in the tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, coconut sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
  6. Stir thoroughly until the meat is evenly coated in the sauce.
  7. Cover and cook on Low for 4 hours or High for 3 hours.
  8. Remove the lid during the final 30 minutes of cooking until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.