Slow Cooker BBQ Beef

This slow cooker BBQ beef uses just 4 ingredients to create a tender, juicy roast that’s packed with smoky, savory flavor. Perfect for sandwiches or served with your favorite sides.

Slow Cooker BBQ Beef

I started making this slow Cooker BBQ beef when I’d feed my son’s high school tennis team on game days, and it quickly became a favorite. It’s one of those recipes that doesn’t even feel like a recipe, but always turns out perfectly. Over time, I’ve continued making it whenever I need something easy and don’t want to make a production when it comes to cooking dinner.

The best part is that it’s a complete set-it-and-forget-it meal. Just throw the ingredients into the slow cooker, let it cook, and hours later, you’ve got tender, juicy pulled beef ready to serve. It couldn’t be simpler, which is exactly what I need when life gets busy.

This BBQ beef works for everything from a weeknight dinner to a potluck or game day. With only 4 ingredients, it’s a no-brainer when you want something easy, delicious, and satisfying. You won’t believe how such a simple recipe can pack so much flavor.

Why I Love This Recipe

• It’s a total crowd-pleaser.
• The BBQ flavor is rich and smoky with an obvious savory punch to every bite.
• It’s flexible enough to serve on buns, over rice, or with your favorite sides.

Ingredients

It only takes a handful of ingredients to make these delicious sandwiches. The toppings or extras are completely up to you and your preferences.

• Chuck roast: This cut of beef gets super tender and juicy after slow cooking, perfect for shredding.
• Chili seasoning packet: Gives the beef a nice, smoky flavor with a little kick that makes it pop.
• Barbecue sauce: Adds that sweet and tangy barbecue goodness that makes the whole dish come together.
• Hamburger buns: The best way to serve it – soft enough to soak up the sauce but sturdy enough to hold all that juicy beef.

How To Make Slow Cooker BBQ Beef

Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Step One: Prepare the roast Rub chili seasoning all over the chuck roast, then place it in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
• Step Two: Add the sauce Pour ½ cup of barbecue sauce over the top of the roast.
• Step Three: Cook it up Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the beef is tender and cooked through. The beef should pull apart effortlessly when done.
• Step Four: Shred and mix Shred the roast with two forks and stir in the remaining barbecue sauce.
• Step Five: Serve Serve on buns with your favorite toppings.

Recipe Tips

Here are a few tips to make your slow cooker BBQ beef even better:

• Slow cook time: Don’t rush it. If the beef isn’t shredding effortlessly, it’s not done yet – just cook it longer. Keep in mind, the temperature of the beef at the start will affect the cook time, so if it’s cold out of the fridge, it may need a little extra time.
• Choosing the right chuck roast: When picking a chuck roast, look for thin streaks and small specks of fat, known as marbling. This fat melts during cooking, basting the meat inside and out, keeping it moist and super tender.
• Shredding made easy: Two forks work best for shredding the beef. They’ll help pull it apart without making a mess or overworking the meat.
• Switch up the buns: If you’re not into regular hamburger buns, soft rolls or slider buns are a fun twist to serve this with.

Storage and Freezing

If you have leftovers or want to make this ahead, here are some easy storage and freezing tips:

• Storage: Let the beef cool down before storing it in an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for about 3-4 days.
• Freezing: To freeze, let the beef cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. It’ll last up to 3 months in the freezer. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheating: To reheat, warm it on the stove or in the microwave. If it’s a little dry, add a splash of barbecue sauce to bring it back to life.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use a different cut of beef? Yes, you can use brisket, but cooking time may vary.
• What if my roast isn’t shredding easily? If the beef isn’t shredding effortlessly, it may need more time. Return it to the slow cooker and cook for an additional 1-2 hours until it becomes tender and easy to shred.
• Can I use homemade BBQ sauce instead of store-bought? Feel free to use your favorite homemade BBQ sauce to customize the flavor to your liking.
• What else can I add to the sauce ingredients to make it even more flavorful? Consider adding a splash of apple cider vinegar for tanginess, a teaspoon of smoked paprika for depth, or a tablespoon of brown sugar for sweetness.

More Slow Cooker Beef Recipes

If you love the ease and flavor of slow cooker beef dishes, here are more recipes to keep your meals deliciously simple.

• Slow Cooker Creole Style Brisket
• Chile Colorado Style Beef
• Slow Cooker Tangy Brisket
• Slow Cooker Beef and Tomato Stew

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Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Slow Cooker BBQ Beef

This Slow Cooker BBQ Beef recipe features a simple mix of just 4 ingredients, creating a tender, juicy roast with smoky and savory flavors. Ideal for sandwiches or served with your favorite sides, it's an easy and delicious meal option.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time8 hours hrs

Total Time8 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Slow Cooker BBQ Beef

Servings: 10 sandwiches

Calories: 433kcal

Author: Cathy Pollak

Equipment

• measuring cups and spoons For accurate measuring.
• slow cooker For slowing cooking the beef.

Ingredients

• 1 (4 lb.) beef chuck roast
• 1 (1.25 oz.) mild chili seasoning packet
• 1 cup prepared barbecue sauce divided
• 10 hamburger buns
• favorite toppings such as cheese, pickles, onions or coleslaw for serving (optional) (optional)

Instructions

• Rub chili seasoning all over the chuck roast, then place it in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
  1 (4 lb.) beef chuck roast, 1 (1.25 oz.) mild chili seasoning packet
• Pour ½ cup of barbecue sauce over the top of the roast.
  1 cup prepared barbecue sauce
• Cook on low for 8 hours, or until the beef is tender and cooked through. The beef should pull apart effortlessly when done.
• Shred the roast with two forks and stir in the remaining barbecue sauce.
• Serve on buns with your favorite toppings.
  10 hamburger buns , favorite toppings such as cheese, pickles, onions or coleslaw for serving (optional)

Notes

For optimal outcomes when making this slow cooker BBQ beef, I recommend referring to the recipe details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes, expert tips and frequently asked questions, that are not presented in the recipe card, often including how to make this recipe dairy-free, gluten free or vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions or variations.

The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.

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Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Slow Cooker BBQ Beef

Amount Per Serving (175 g)

Calories 433 Calories from Fat 170

% Daily Value*

Fat 18.9g29%

Saturated Fat 7.1g44%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5g

Monounsaturated Fat 7.6g

Cholesterol 89.6mg30%

Sodium 616mg27%

Potassium 483mg14%

Carbohydrates 29g10%

Fiber 1.2g5%

Sugar 10.6g12%

Protein 34g68%

Vitamin A 38.1IU1%

Vitamin C 0.8mg1%

Calcium 84mg8%

Iron 3.3mg18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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