Ingredients:
- 3 lbs beef chuck roast
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp cracked black pepper
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 3 tbsp gochujang paste
- 1/2 cup pear nectar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
- 1 large yellow onion, cut into wedges
- 1 lb carrots, cut into 2-inch chunks
- 4 green onions, cut into 1-inch batons
Instructions:
- Season the beef. Rub the 3 lbs beef chuck roast with 2 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp cracked black pepper. Note: Doing this 30 minutes early allows the salt to penetrate the fibers.
- Sear the roast. Heat 2 tbsp neutral oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Brown the beef for 4-5 minutes per side until a dark, crusty bark forms.
- Aromatize the oil. Remove the beef and toss in the 1 large yellow onion wedges and 6 cloves smashed garlic. Sauté for 3 minutes until the onion edges start to char.
- Bloom the spices. Stir in 3 tbsp gochujang paste and 2 inch piece of ginger. Cook for 1 minute until the kitchen smells spicy and toasted.
- Build the liquid. Whisk in 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup pear nectar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 cup rice vinegar, scraping the bottom of the pot.
- Combine and cook. Place the beef back in the pot (or move everything to a slow cooker). Add the 1 lb carrots.
- The long wait. Cover and cook on Low for 8 hours until the beef yields easily to a fork.
- Vegetable check. Add the 4 green onions (batons) during the last 30 minutes of cooking until they are bright green and tender.
- The reduction. Remove the meat and carrots. Boil the liquid on the stove for 10 minutes until it coats the back of a spoon.
- Final shred. Pull the beef into large chunks, pour the reduced sauce over the top, and serve.