Looking for a hassle-free dinner? Look no further than this tender and delicious Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef! With just 4 ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time, it's ideal for serving a crowd. Plus, it can be used in so many ways!
If you're a fan of hearty and flavorful meals but are limited on time in the kitchen, this Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef is the perfect solution. This dish combines tender beef with a rich, tangy barbecue sauce, and your crockpot does all the work!
The beauty of this simple beef recipe is that it's only 4 ingredients and takes 15 minutes to prep before the crockpot cooks the rest for you. It's ideal for serving a crowd or making as a meal prep recipe for the week since it freezes beautifully too!
Save The Recipe!
Add your email below and we’ll send it straight to your inbox+ you’ll receive all our newest recipes!
BBQ pulled beef can be used in so many dishes too! It's great as sandwiches, over mashed potatoes or noodles, in lettuce wraps, or as a pizza topper! Once you taste how delicious this beef is and see how many ways it can be used, it's sure to be a new favorite meal.
Love the tender, budget-friendly chuck roast? Be sure to check out my Easy Crockpot Beef Stroganoff, Crock Pot Beef and Noodles, and Beef Tips and Gravy!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll like this Recipe
- Super Easy Recipe: It takes less than 10 minutes of prep time before cooking in the Crockpot! Bonus, with no oven required, it's a perfect recipe to make in the warmer weather months!
- Basic Ingredients: It only takes 5 simple ingredients to make bbq shredded beef!
- Tender and Juicy: Slow cooking the barbecue beef roast makes it come out incredibly tender and flavorful!
- Versatile: It's a dish and can be used in so many different delicious ways, making it great to make and repurpose on busy weeknights. Great for barbecue beef sandwiches, tacos, or paired with your favorite sides.
Ingredients
Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below
- Chuck Tender Roast: The star of the dish, this cut of beef becomes tender and flavorful when slow-cooked.
- Barbecue Seasoning: Adds a smoky, savory flavor to the beef.
- Beef Broth: Keeps the meat moist and adds depth to the flavor.
- Barbecue Sauce: Provides a rich, tangy, and slightly sweet coating for the beef.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps meld the flavors together.
What is Chuck Roast?
Chuck roast is a cut of beef that comes from the shoulder area of a cow. It is known for its rich flavor and tenderness, especially when cooked slowly. It’s a popular choice for pot roasts, stews, and braised dishes because it contains a good amount of marbling, which adds moisture and flavor during cooking.
Tools You’ll Need
How to Make Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef
- Season the roast on both sides with barbecue seasoning or salt and black pepper.
- Heat a large skillet on high heat. Sear the seasoned roast 2-3 minutes per side.
- To the Crockpot, add broth and barbecue sauce and whisk until combined.
- Add the roast to the Crockpot, then place butter slices on top.
- Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours or until the beef easily shreds apart with 2 forks.
Pro Tips and Substitutions
- To Sear or Not to Sear: Searing the roast first is optional, but I do recommend it as it provides great color, texture and flavor!
- Seasoning Adjustments: For a spicier kick, add a bit of hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes. Add a couple drops of liquid smoke for that backyard bbq flavor! You can get even more creative with the flavors by using different store-bough or homemade seasonings! Here's a homemade basic bbq seasoning blend you can make from scratch:
- 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
- Sauce Options: Use your favorite barbecue sauce, whether it's store-bought or homemade. Here's a basic homemade BBQ sauce you can make:
- 1 cup ketchup, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup packed brown sugar packed, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon mustard or Dijon Mustard, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Meat Options: While a beef chuck roast is ideal, you can also use beef brisket or rump roast. You can also substitute the beef with boneless skinless chicken or pork shoulder.
How to Serve Slow Cooker BBQ Beef
This juicy beef can be served in so many delicious ways! It's excellent with hoecakes, as slow cooker bbq beef sandwiches (with or without sautéed mushrooms and onions) on hoagie or hamburger buns, over Creamy Whipped Mashed Potatoes, a pasta or rice topper, in a lettuce wrap, in a pita pocket, or on top of Macaroni and Cheese.
Side dish options are endless! We love it with a simple side salad, Macaroni Salad, Marinated Vegetable Salad, Classic Potato Salad, and Glazed Brussels Sprouts!
How to Make BBQ Shredded Beef in an Instant Pot
Turn on the pot's Sauté function. Add a tablespoon of oil and then the seasoned roast cut into chunks. Brown a few minutes on each side. Add the barbecue sauce, butter and broth, adding an additional ½ cup of broth. Close the lid and lock in place.
Set the steam release knob to the Sealing position. Set to Pressure Cook/Manual, High Pressure, and use the +/- buttons (or dial) to select 60 minutes. When finished, let the pot sit undisturbed for 10-15 minutes. Release the pressure. When the pin drops, remove the lid. Transfer the beef to a bowl to shred.
How to Make Shredded BBQ Beef in the Oven
Sear the beef in an oven safe skillet that can be fitted with a lid. After searing the seasoned beef, add the remaining ingredients and bake covered at 325 for 3 hours. If at the end of 3 hours your beef doesn't easily shred apart with forks, add 20 minute increments until it is does.
Storage
Once the bbq beef has fully cooled, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days.
Leftovers can also be stored in the freezer in an airtight, freezer-safe container up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This beef reheats beautifully! Stored properly as noted above, you could make this up to 4 days in advance.
Standard chuck tender roasts are easily shreddable. However, different roast varieties and the size can impact the cook time. If it doesn't easily shred, cook covered on low an additional hour or two.
This recipe can easily be gluten-free! Simply ensure the seasoning used on the roast prior to searing and the barbecue sauce used doesn't contain gluten.
Absolutely! Adding vegetables like onions, carrots, or bell peppers can enhance the flavor and make it a complete meal.
More Slow Cooker Beef Recipes
- Crockpot Mongolian Beef
- Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
- Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich
- Crock Pot Sloppy Joes
Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef
Ingredients
- 4-5 pounds chuck tender roast
- 3 tablespoons barbecue seasoning or salt and black pepper
- 8 ounces beef broth
- 2 cups barbecue sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter sliced
Instructions
- Season the roast on both sides with barbecue seasoning or salt and pepper.
- Heat a large skillet on high heat. Once hot, sear the seasoned roast 2-3 minutes per side.
- To the Crockpot, add broth and barbecue sauce and whisk until combined. Add the roast to the Crockpot, then place butter slices on top.
- Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours or until the beef easily shreds apart with 2 forks. Serve as desired.
Video
Notes
Pro Tips and Substitutions
- To Sear or Not to Sear: Searing the roast first is optional, but I do recommend it as it provides great color, texture and flavor!
- Seasoning Adjustments: For a spicier kick, add a bit of hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes. Add a couple drops of liquid smoke for that backyard bbq flavor! You can get even more creative with the flavors by using different store-bough or homemade seasonings! Here's a homemade basic bbq seasoning blend you can make from scratch:
- 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
- Sauce Options: Use your favorite barbecue sauce, whether it's store-bought or homemade. Here's a basic homemade BBQ sauce you can make:
- 1 cup ketchup, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup packed brown sugar packed, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon mustard or Dijon Mustard, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Meat Options: While a beef chuck roast is ideal, you can also use beef brisket or rump roast. You can also substitute the beef with boneless skinless chicken or pork shoulder.
Audra Ellis
Absolutely delicious!
Laura Ashley
YAY!!! Thank you so much!! I'm so happy you liked it so much!!