Let the slow cooker work all day to transform chuck roast into deliciously, tender, shredded beef sandwiches that take only minutes to put together for a weeknight meal or weekend potluck.
Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Recipe
It almost feels like cheating to call this a recipe, mostly because it’s so simple to put together, with a couple of grocery store staples doing the heavy lifting.
However, these are the type of recipes we need to get us through the busy weeknights or when we need to feed a crowd on game day or take a main dish to a potluck.
This recipe was always one of my go-to meals when it was my turn to feed the high school tennis team. There was never any left…for good reason.
You’re going to love it too.
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 – a four pound chuck roast is the perfect size to get about ten barbecue beef sandwiches and is also the perfect size to fit into a six quart slow cooker. When it comes to picking a chuck roast, look for thin streaks and small specks of fat, this is referred to as marbling and runs throughout the meat. This is also the fat that melts during cooking and bastes the meat internally and externally so it becomes moist and tender.
chili seasoning packet – this is what helps make this recipe recipe so easy to throw together. These packets are available, usually in the condiment aisle, and make the perfect seasoning for this recipe. It already has the right amount of salt and pepper to make this meat super flavorful. You can absolutely make your own homemade blend if you choose, just make sure it weighs 1.25 ounces for the equivalent amount of flavor.
barbecue sauce – use already prepared or homemade sauce to also flavor the meat. A Carolina sauce will give the meat an overall vinegary flavor while a Kansas City style sauce will be a more sweet version. It’s completely up to you.
optional additions – hamburger buns (any kind), pickles, cheese, coleslaw can be added to enhance the flavor of your sandwiches.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Can Leftovers Be Frozen?
Yes!
Store in a freezer safe container or freezer bag for up to three months.
Reheat frozen leftovers on the stovetop after thawing. This does freeze well.
You can also freeze individual portions for quick and easy meals for one.
How Can I Make This More Spicy?
There are spicy versions of the chili seasoning packets that work well. If you cannot find a spicy version, feel free to add ground cayenne pepper to your regular chili seasoning packet.
If you don’t want the whole roast to be spicy, sprinkle red pepper flakes on individual sandwiches before serving or use a hot pepper sauce as a topping.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
- Slow Cooker Creole Style Brisket
- Slow Cooker Mexican Beans
- Chile Colorado Style Beef
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chile Verde
- Slow Cooker Braised Chicken
- Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup
- Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls
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Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef
Ingredients
- 1 (4 lb.) beef chuck roast
- 1 (1.25 oz.) mild chili seasoning packet
- 1 cup prepared barbecue sauce
- Hamburger buns and favorite toppings such as cheese, pickles, onions or coleslaw for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Rub chili seasoning all over chuck roast and place roast in the bottom of a 6 quart or larger slow cooker.
- Pour ½ cup of the barbecue sauce over the top of the roast.
- Cook on low for 8-10hours, or until beef is tender and cooked through. (Beef should pull apart effortlessly when done.)
- Shred the roast with two forks. Stir in remaining barbecue sauce.
- Serve on buns with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition
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