Adapted from an old drive in in Minnesota, these Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches have slow cooked beef that is covered in a sweet barbecue sauce then cooked until it is falling apart, then served sandwich style.
Looking for more slow cooker sandwiches? These Italian Beef Sandwiches are a favorite, along with these Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Sandwiches or this Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken.
I first came across this recipe many years ago when I was looking for something that would be easy to serve a crowd.
And I fell in love.
I’ve made it so many times now that this is the 4th time I’ve reposted it here on Taste and Tell. That’s how much I love it.
It’s super easy – it only takes a few minutes to chop up some veggies, make an easy homemade bbq sauce, then get it all into the slow cooker. Then, when the meat is finished cooking, just a few more minutes of hands on time before you have a delicious bbq beef sandwich to serve up to your family or friends.
This recipe is originally based off of a sandwich served at a drive in in Minnesota – Ting Town. It has been closed for many years, so I can’t say how authentic the recipe is. I’ve adapted a few things through the years, and even if it’s not the exact same, I would say this is still a pretty darn good bbq beef sandwich!
The Homemade BBQ Sauce
This is what I call a cheater sauce, because it is a homemade sauce, but it’s made with other sauces. But just taking a few minutes to mix these ingredients together instead of just throwing in a bottle of bbq sauce makes all the difference. Here is what goes into this bbq sauce:
- ketchup
- bbq sauce
- mustard
- apple cider vinegar
- Worcestershire sauce
- brown sugar
- chili powder
- salt and pepper
How to Make Them
- SLOW COOK: Cook the meat by placing the roast in the slow cooker, top it with the celery, onion and garlic, then pour the bbq sauce over the top.
- SHRED: Once the meat has cooked and is falling apart, remove it and shred the meat.
- SAUCE: Take the sauce from the slow cooker and transfer it to a pot. Cook over medium heat until it has thickened.
- COMBINE: Put the beef back in the slow cooker, along with the thickened sauce and stir to combine. Serve on buns.
Tips and Tricks
Wondering what kind of meat is used for bbq beef? I like to use a chuck roast. It is fatty enough to give you lots of flavor and to keep the meat moist, and it shreds really well.
This recipe would work well with chicken instead of beef. I would suggest chicken thighs instead of breasts, though, for more flavor and better texture.
This recipe doubles very easily! As long as you have a large enough slow cooker, this is easy to make for a crowd.
Wanting to make it ahead? The finished beef freezes well. Make the beef and let it cool completely before transferring to a freezer safe container to freeze. To serve, let it thaw in the refrigerator the reheat it on the stove.
What to Eat with Shredded BBQ Beef
- This Bow Tie Pasta Salad is always a hit. Something a little bit different, but definitely addictive.
- If serving this in the late summer, this Grilled Corn Salad is always a favorite.
- You can never go wrong with a classic Broccoli Salad.
- These Easy Baked Beans with Bacon are a summertime favorite that are actually really good all year long!
- One of my favorite fruit salad recipes is this Crown Ruby Fruit Salad. Pretty and delicious!
LOOKING FOR MORE FREE RECIPES?
Subscribe to my free recipe newsletter to get new family friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more family-friendly inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup prepared barbecue sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 – 2 1/2 pounds boneless beef chuck roast trimmed of fat
- 1 stalk celery sliced
- 1/2 large onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 8 hamburger buns
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the ketchup, barbecue sauce, mustard, cinder vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, chili powder, salt and pepper.
- Place the roast in a large slow cooker. Place the celery, onion and garlic over the top of the roast. Pour the sauce evenly over the top. Place the cover on the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours, then reduce for low and continue to cook for 4 more hours, or until the roast is very tender.
- Remove the roast from the slow cooker to a cutting board. Shred the meat.
- Pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a pot and cook, uncovered, until the sauce is thickened, about 20 minutes.
- Place the shredded meat back in the slow cooker and cover with the thickened sauce. Stir to combine. Keep warm in the slow cooker.
- Serve the shredded beef on the hamburger buns.
Deb says
I am another one who loves hearing a bit of a story behind the post. It makes it more than “just a recipe” and gives a little hint and peek into someone’s life.
And I love that idea. I have a bunch of hungry kids to feed every second weekend. This sounds perfect for them!
Emiline says
Yum! Sounds great.
I don’t think you sound like a broken record.
dobetter says
That looks so good! And I love that it came out of the slow cooker. Fantastic for busy days!
HoneyB says
The sandwich looks yummy!! What good is it to look at a post and not read the whole thing? I don’t care if you repeat yourself. I do the same thing!
Pam says
I love a good barbecue beef sandwich and yours looks fantastic. I also like reading your stories so keep them coming.
Patsyk says
I’m another one who reads the post before the recipe! I don’t mind all the background info.
Those sandwiches might make me like my crockpot… right now I’d say I’m close to tossing it to the curb since I haven’t had anything turn out well in it in years!
Gigi says
A slow cooker recipe! I can’t wait to give this a go. My poor slower cooker sees very little action but this recipe looks to good to pass up.
Joe Horn says
It looks great! I can’t wait for the cold weather and some snow to start making some good crock pot, braises and stews!
The Mediocre Cook says
Just as I don’t read instruction manuals for leisure, I don’t read recipes for fun (ok sometimes I do :). I look to the stories and opinions of the food when I go recipe hunting. So thanks for being inspiration and your pictures sure help!
Sylvie says
It looks like summer is well and truly over here in the UK, but I’m sure it’ll make a return for a couple of weeks yet and it’d be lovely to have one of these sitting on a rug in a park.
StickyGooeyCreamyChewy says
I’m one of those nerdy people who actually read the posts, but I enjoy all of the background information.
Your bbq beef looks delish! I love recipes like this that can be made in the slow cooker. I made smoked pulled pork for the fist time recently on my BGE. I was a nervous wreck, checking it every 5 minutes!
Maria says
Your friends and family are so lucky! Sounds like you go all out. I love making treats for others!! The sandwiches look fantastic!
glamah16 says
I bet they loved those. I love reading the story behind the recipe. So keep them coming.
Mama Goose says
Holy Hannah, that looks awesome!
Colloquial Cook says
Hi Deb! I have to confess I read all of your posts and thanks for repeating yourself because my head is like a colander (French imagery). Anyway, your recipe looks absolutely yummy! I hope the pregnancy is going fine!
kat says
As it gets colder here I’m planning on trying some of these barbecues in a crock pot, it seems like such a great way to do it!