Crock Pot Barbecue Beef Recipe

Shredded Barbecue Beef is one of the easiest and most flavorful main dish recipes that you can make with minimal effort, especially when it is made in your crock pot. It’s perfect for feeding a family on a busy weeknight or to serve at a party or potluck.

The slow-cooked beef turns out super tender. Add your favorite barbecue sauce and each bite will be packed with amazing flavor.

Best of all, this recipe requires just a few simple ingredients and your slow cooker does all the work. You can serve it in a variety of ways, from classic sandwiches to tacos, baked potatoes, or even over rice or noodles.

What Cut Of Beef To Use

When making Crock Pot Barbecue Beef you have a few options when it comes to the cut of beef you use. Just like when I make Crock Pot Barbacoa Beef I most often make this recipe using a boneless chuck roast. Not only does it have a good amount of fat and connective tissue that breaks down during the long cooking process, it is more budget friendly compared to your other options.

However, if you are looking for the best cut of beef, regardless of the cost, brisket is the best choice. Although be aware, not all briskets are the same.

The point cut of brisket is the better option because it has more fat marbling. Once it cooks low and slow it will result in a juicier, more tender meat compared to the leaner flat cut brisket.

Short ribs, while less traditional, can also be used for barbecue beef if you want smaller, rich, and flavorful pieces. Although it takes a little more work to shred the meat, the beefy flavor really stands out when you use short ribs.

How Long To Cook Barbecue Beef In A Crock Pot

To ensure that the meat is tender and juicy you really want to focus on a low and slow cooking method. Plan on setting your 6 Quart Crock Pot on low heat for 8 hours when making this dish.

Low and slow cooking allows the connective tissue in the beef to break down gradually. This method ensures the best possible flavor and tenderness, allowing the seasonings and barbecue sauce to fully penetrate the meat. In fact, the meat will be so tender that you will be able to easily shred it with a fork.

While it may be tempting to speed up the process by cooking it on high for 4-5 hours, the texture won’t be quite as soft, and you will end up with meat that is tougher and drier.

Crock Pot Barbecue Beef Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds beef chuck roast
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt, additional to taste
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, additional to taste
• 2 cups barbecue sauce, divided*

Instructions:

1. Trim any large, chunks of fat from the roast and place it in your crock pot. Pour the beef broth down the side of the crock pot (not directly over the roast).
2. Add the Worcestershire sauce over the chuck roast. Then season with the garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour 1 cup of the barbecue sauce over the top of the meat.
4. Cover and cook for 8 hours on LOW heat or 4-5 hours on HIGH heat. (Low is the preferred method of cooking)
5. Remove the meat from the crock pot and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded beef to the crock pot and add the remaining cup of barbecue sauce. Stir well to coat.
6. Serve warm as a sandwich, in tacos, on top of a baked potato, or over rice/noodles.

*Homemade Barbecue Sauce Option

Although you can choose to use your favorite barbecue sauce, if you prefer to make your own barbecue sauce, here’s an easy recipe to try:

• 1⁄4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1⁄4 cup tomato paste
• 1⁄2 onion, diced
• 1⁄2 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1⁄2 cup beef broth
• 1⁄2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 1⁄2 teaspoon coarse salt

Mix the ingredients in your crock pot and then place the roast on top. Cook on low for 8 hours. Shred, return the meat back to the crock pot with the liquid, and toss to coat.

Serving Suggestions

The most common way to enjoy crock pot barbecue beef is as a sandwich. You can serve it on regular hamburger buns or slider buns for a party or gathering.

If you want to switch things up, the shredded beef is also delicious in tacos, adding a smoky and tangy flavor to soft tortillas with toppings like coleslaw or pickled onions. For a heartier meal, try serving it over a baked potato with some shredded cheese or sour cream, or spoon it over rice or noodles for a filling dinner.

Another great way to serve barbecue beef is as part of a barbecue platter. Serve it as the main dish and then pair it with traditional sides like coleslaw, baked beans, cornbread, or macaroni and cheese for a complete meal. The smoky and slightly sweet flavors of the beef compliment these classic barbecue dishes perfectly.

If you’re serving a large group, you can also set up a self-serve bar with different toppings and sides so everyone can customize their meal. No matter how you serve it, this slow-cooked barbecue beef is always a crowd-pleaser.

Storing and Reheating Crock Pot Barbecue Beef Leftovers

Leftover barbecue beef stores well and can be used for multiple meals throughout the week. Store any remaining shredded beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to three months. Just make sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container.

To reheat, you can warm the beef in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If the meat has dried out a bit, add a splash of beef broth or extra barbecue sauce to bring back the moisture. You can also reheat it in the microwave in short intervals, stirring between each round to ensure even heating.

Crock pot barbecue beef is an easy and flavorful dish that works well for so many different meals. The slow cooking process ensures tender, juicy meat that’s perfect for sandwiches, tacos, baked potatoes, or as the main protein served over rice or with traditional barbecue side dishes.

No matter how you serve it, this barbecue beef is sure to be a hit every time you make it.

Enjoy! Mary

Follow My Facebook Page For Great Recipes! Make Your Meals Facebook Page

To receive our 3 Recipe Articles in your inbox each week, sign up for our free email list located in the middle of each recipe or email me at contact@makeyourmeals.com. You can also follow us on Facebook and Pinterest. This article may contain affiliate links where a small commission is paid if you purchase a product at no additional cost to you.