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Pulled Beef Sandwiches is an easy crock pot recipe – yellow mustard and barbecue seasoning are the secret ingredients for a super moist and flavorful beef chuck roast. The meat is ultra tender, like fall-apart tender.
My family’s favorite way to eat the shredded beef is in ciabatta rolls with pickles and BBQ sauce.
Crockpot Pulled Beef Sandwiches
Crockpot pulled beef sandwiches are a year-round family favorite beef recipe. Only a few minutes of prep needed and then the slow cooker does all the work – you end up with ultra tender, shreddable beef that is bursting with flavor. A simple mustard and barbecue seasoning rub gives the shredded beef amazing flavor.
Throw it in the crockpot in the morning and the dinnertime prep is done. I love making these sandwiches during the week when I know we will be extra busy with sports practices and other events.
The beef stays warm in the crockpot for hours, so it’s also the perfect dinner if everyone is needing to eat at different times.
Simple Ingredients For Pulled Beef Sandwiches
- Onion : I use a large onion and slice it thinly into half moon slices. A yellow onion, white onion, or sweet onion can be used depending on preference.
- Beef Broth : It’s best to use full salted broth as the longer cook time can mute the flavors in the crockpot.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Beef Chuck Roast
- Yellow Mustard
- Barbecue Seasoning Rub : Use your favorite barbecue seasoning – I love the Kinders brand (The Steak Blend or Buttery Steakhouse) but there are so many others to choose from like Montreal Steak Seasoning from McCormick or Weber brand Chicago Steak rub.
- Ciabatta Rolls : I like using ciabatta rolls because they are thick and sturdy and hold up well to the shredded beef and juices. However, you can use any roll or bread you prefer; onions rolls are a great option, hamburger buns, crusty rolls, etc. I buy the ciabatta rolls from Costco because they are the best!
- Pickles : These are a topping for the shredded beef sandwiches and they are a must! They add a crunch, a saltiness, and some juice. I definitely recommend serving the sandwiches with pickles inside.
How To Make Shredded Beef In The Crock Pot For Sandwiches (Printable Recipe Card)
Add the sliced onions, beef broth, and apple cider vinegar into the crockpot.
Rub your chuck roast with the mustard and barbecue seasoning rub, making sure to use your clean hands to really spread it around evenly. Place the chuck roast into the crockpot on top of the onions.
Cover and cook on LOW heat for 7-8 hours.
Remove the roast from the crockpot and shred it using two forks.
Spoon the pulled beef into the ciabatta rolls and top each one with some pickles. Enjoy!
How To Store Leftover Pulled Beef
- Fridge : The leftover pulled beef should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Store the leftover ciabatta rolls separately, in a Ziploc bag, at room temperature.
- To Freeze : Once the meat has completely cooled to room temperature, place it inside a freezer-safe container or bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. If you vacuum pack it, it will last for 6 months in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating for serving.
- To Reheat : You can microwave small servings of the pulled beef for 45 seconds at a time until desired temperature is reached. You can also place it inside a casserole dish with a splash of beef broth, cover with tin foil, and heat in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. Another option is to reheat in the crockpot on low heat, stirring occasionally, for 1-2 hours. You could reheat it with bbq sauce or a splash of beef broth, or save some broth from the slow cooker and use that when reheating in the crockpot.
What Are Some Substitutions I Can Make?
- Beef Broth : Bullion and water can be used or beef stock.
- Apple Cider Vinegar : Red wine vinegar or rice wine vinegar (unseasoned) are other good options.
- Chuck Roast : Round eye roast or boneless beef short ribs will shred well for your beef sandwiches.
- Ciabatta Rolls : Hawaiian rolls, brioche buns, onion buns, french bread rolls, french rolls, toasted hoagie buns, or hoagie rolls are all sturdy breads that would hold up well to the beef.
- Mustard : You can use any variety of mustard you prefer, however, I have only ever used yellow mustard when I make this recipe.
Serving Suggestions & Ideas
- Toast The Buns/Rolls : Separate the ciabatta rolls, or whatever roll you are using, and place them onto a baking sheet. Spread softened butter onto each one, or spray with cooking spray. Broil for a few minutes until toasted brown. Toasting the buns makes the bread sturdier to hold up better to the meat and it gives the bread some texture.
- Cheesy Buns : Toast the buns and then place a slice of cheese onto each top or bottom bun, place the buns back into the broiler and broil for a very short time until the cheese is melted. A slice of provolone cheese is a good option, Pepper Jack, Havarti, or Muenster Cheese are other great choices.
- Coleslaw : Serve the sandwiches with some coleslaw as it makes a really creamy and crunchy topping for inside the sandwiches along with the beef and pickles.
- BBQ Sauce : Serve the sandwiches with your favorite barbecue sauce for a saucy pulled beef sandwich.
- Hawaiian Pasta Salad : This might sound crazy, but I love topping my sandwich with some cool and creamy sweet Hawaiian Macaroni Salad. Similar to coleslaw with that creamy topping that pairs well with the beef. You could also serve it as a side dish.
- Potato Salad : Serving the sandwiches alongside some potato salad is always a good option – try my Steakhouse Potato Salad or Honey Mustard Potato Salad.
- Sweet Jello Salad or Fruit Salad : A sweeter side dish always pairs well with the tender beef and hearty sandwiches. My family loves this Raspberry Pear Jello, Pineapple Pretzel Salad, Mandarin Orange Pretzel Salad, or Watergate Salad.
Recipe FAQ’s
What Can I Make With Leftover Shredded Pulled Beef?
Lleftover shredded beef can make of delicious dinners that the whole family will love. Here are some ideas – bbq beef tacos, beef sliders, beef enchiladas, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, or shredded beef taquitos.
Do I Sear The Roast Before Putting It In The Slow Cooker?
I don’t recommend searing the roast before placing it in the slow cooker. You do not want to burn the seasoning, while searing, before giving it a chance to break down and soak into the meat as it cooks. When searing meat, you are locking in it’s flavor and intensifying the natural flavor. In this dish, the goal is for the meat to absorb even more flavor, therefore not making searing the beef the best option for this dish.
Can I Add Other Toppings To The Sandwiches?
Yes, add whatever you want to the beef sandwiches. Jalapeños, bbq sauce, cheese, caramelized or grilled onions, banana peppers, pepperoncini peppers, coleslaw, etc.
More Crockpot Beef Recipes
Crockpot Pulled Beef Sandwiches
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 can (14.5 oz) beef broth
- 1 yellow or sweet onion (sliced in half moon shapes)
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2-3 pounds chuck roast
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 3 tablespoons BBQ seasoning rub (I use Kinder's brand)
- ciabatta rolls & pickles for serving
Instructions
- Add the beef broth, sliced onions, and apple cider vinegar into the crockpot.1 can (14.5 oz) beef broth, 1 yellow or sweet onion, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- Rub your chuck roast with the mustard and barbecue seasoning rub, making sure to use your clean hands to really spread it around evenly. Place the chuck roast into the crockpot on top of the onions.2-3 pounds chuck roast, 1/4 cup yellow mustard, 3 tablespoons BBQ seasoning rub
- Cover and cook on LOW heat for 8 hours. * You can cook on HIGH heat for 4 hours, but I highly recommend cooking it low & slow for the best fall-apart tender beef
- Remove the roast from the crockpot and shred it using two forks.
- Spoon the pulled beef into the ciabatta rolls and top each one with some pickles. Some of my family also likes BBQ sauce on their sandwiches. Enjoy!ciabatta rolls & pickles
Notes
- Toast The Buns/Rolls : Separate the ciabatta rolls, or whatever roll you are using, and place them onto a baking sheet. Spread softened butter onto each one, or spray with cooking spray. Broil for a few minutes until toasted brown. Toasting the buns makes the bread sturdier to hold up better to the meat and it gives the bread some texture.
- Cheesy Buns : Toast the buns and then place a slice of cheese onto each top or bottom bun, place the buns back into the broiler and broil for a very short time until the cheese is melted. A slice of provolone cheese is a good option, Pepper Jack, Havarti, or Muenster Cheese are other great choices.
- Coleslaw : Serve the sandwiches with some coleslaw as it makes a really creamy and crunchy topping for inside the sandwiches along with the beef and pickles.
- BBQ Sauce : Serve the sandwiches with your favorite barbecue sauce for a saucy pulled beef sandwich.
- Hawaiian Pasta Salad : This might sound crazy, but I love topping my sandwich with some cool and creamy sweet Hawaiian Macaroni Salad. Similar to coleslaw with that creamy topping that pairs well with the beef. You could also serve it as a side dish.
- Potato Salad : Serving the sandwiches alongside some potato salad is always a good option – try my Steakhouse Potato Salad or Honey Mustard Potato Salad.
- Sweet Jello Salad or Fruit Salad : A sweeter side dish always pairs well with the tender beef and hearty sandwiches. My family loves this Raspberry Pear Jello, Pineapple Pretzel Salad, Mandarin Orange Pretzel Salad, or Watergate Salad.
Nutrition
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