Description
This easy slow cooker pulled beef sandwich recipe features tender, flavorful beef simmered in a tangy barbecue sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, parties, or meal prep, it’s a crowd-pleasing comfort food classic.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs beef chuck roast
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 cup beef broth (or water)
- 6–8 sandwich buns or rolls
- Coleslaw (optional, for serving)
- Pickles (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Pat the beef chuck roast dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides with kosher salt and black pepper.
- If needed, cut the roast into 2-3 large pieces to fit in your slow cooker.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef on all sides for 2-3 minutes per side until deeply browned.
- Place sliced onion and minced garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker. Lay the seared beef on top.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, and beef broth.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the beef in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 5-6 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and shreds easily.
- Remove the beef from the slow cooker and let it rest for 5 minutes. Shred with two forks or meat claws.
- Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker and stir to coat with sauce. Let sit on WARM for at least 15 minutes.
- Toast sandwich buns if desired. Pile pulled beef onto each bun and top with coleslaw and pickles if using. Serve warm.
Notes
Searing the beef before slow cooking adds extra flavor. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free barbecue sauce and buns. Adjust spice level by adding more chili powder or hot sauce. Leftovers freeze well for up to 3 months. If the sauce is too thin, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking or simmer on the stovetop to reduce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours (slow cooker on LOW) or 5-6 hours (HIGH)
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich (without bun or toppings)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: pulled beef, slow cooker, sandwich, barbecue, easy dinner, beef chuck roast, crockpot, comfort food, meal prep, party food