About the Recipe
There's something magical about coming home to the aroma of tender beef that's been slowly simmering all day. These Easy Pulled Beef Sandwiches are my go-to recipe when I want maximum flavor with minimum effort, and trust me, they deliver on both counts.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You'll need just a handful of ingredients and about ten minutes of prep time in the morning. Then, let your slow cooker work its magic while you tackle your to-do list, run errands, or settle in for football Sunday. By dinner time, you'll have fork-tender, juicy pulled beef that's packed with flavor and ready to pile high on your favorite buns.
Whether you're feeding your family on a busy Tuesday night or hosting friends for the big game, these sandwiches are guaranteed to be a hit. The meat stays warm in the slow cooker, making it easy for everyone to serve themselves and customize their sandwiches with their favorite toppings. It's comfort food at its finest, with none of the stress.
Ingredients
2 - 4 lbs. beef chuck or shoulder roast
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 large onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Pinch of cayenne
6-8 sandwich buns
Instructions
Step 1
Rub paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper all over the roast. Set it at the bottom of the slow cooker.
Step 2
Arrange onions and garlic around the roast. In a bowl, combine broth, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and cayenne. Pour this mixture over and around the roast in the slow cooker.
Step 3
Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Reduce heat to warm and serve out of the slow cooker.
Step 4
Take the beef out of the slow cooker and set it on a cutting board. Use two forks to pull the beef apart into bite-sized pieces. Put the shredded beef back into the slow cooker and combine it with the cooking juices.
Step 5
If you like, toast the buns before serving. Place a generous portion of beef on the bottom bun. Add extra barbecue sauce on top.
Notes
Serving suggestion - Consider topping with hot sauce, jalapeños, pickles, or coleslaw. My family also enjoys adding a bit of shredded cheese.
Barbecue sauce selection - Pick your preferred sauce or create your own. Modify the cayenne to match your desired spice level. You can also provide spicier options as a topping rather than mixing them into the ingredients, allowing for different spice-level choices.
