This pulled beef sandwich is a tasty treat! It features tender, shredded beef that’s slow-cooked with flavorful spices, all piled high on a soft bun.
It’s hard to resist the juicy beef and how it just melts in your mouth. I love adding some tangy sauce for that extra kick—your taste buds will thank you!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Beef Chuck Roast: This cut is perfect because it becomes tender with slow cooking. If you can’t find chuck roast, brisket or round roast are good alternatives, although they may require a slightly different cooking time.
Spices: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika are the key flavor builders. If you want a little kick, feel free to add cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce to the mix.
Barbecue Sauce: A store-bought sauce can save time, but homemade is often tastier. You can try different types of barbecue sauce based on your preference – sweet, smoky, or tangy. If you’re avoiding sugar, check for low-sugar options!
Buns: Brioche or pretzel buns are delightful, but you could also use whole wheat or gluten-free buns if needed. Just make sure they are sturdy enough to hold the beef and sauce!
How Do I Achieve Perfectly Shredded Beef?
The secret to tender and easily shredded beef lies in low and slow cooking. Here’s how you do it:
- After seasoning, sear the beef well for flavor, but keep the heat manageable to avoid burning.
- Cook at 300°F (150°C) for 3-4 hours, covered, to trap moisture. If it’s drying out, add a bit more broth.
- Look for the meat to become fork-tender; this means it’s ready to shred. Let it rest a bit before shredding for easier handling.
Mix the shredded beef back into the sauce to keep it juicy and flavorful before assembling your sandwiches!
How to Make Pulled Beef Sandwiches
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Beef:
- 3-4 lbs beef chuck roast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (plus extra for serving)
For Assembly:
- 4 sandwich buns (preferably brioche or pretzel)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional: pickles and onion for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious pulled beef sandwich recipe takes about 15 minutes of prep time and 3-4 hours of cooking in the oven. After cooking, you’ll want a few extra minutes to shred the beef and assemble your sandwiches. Overall, you’ll be enjoying your meal within about 4 hours, but the wait will be worth it!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 300°F (150°C). It’s important to get your oven nice and warm before cooking the beef.
2. Season the Beef:
In a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Rub this flavorful seasoning all over the beef chuck roast to give it a great taste.
3. Sear the Beef:
In a large, oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the beef chuck roast on all sides until it’s beautifully browned—this should take about 4-5 minutes per side. Browning enhances the flavor!
4. Build the Sauce:
After searing, carefully remove the roast from the pot and set it aside. Pour in the beef broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot and release those tasty brown bits (this is called deglazing!). Stir in the barbecue sauce until everything is nicely combined.
5. Cook the Beef:
Place the seared beef back into the pot, cover it with a lid or foil, and transfer the pot to your preheated oven. Let it cook for 3-4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and can be easily pulled apart. The longer it cooks, the more flavorful and tender it will become!
6. Shred the Beef:
Once the beef is done cooking, carefully remove it from the pot. Use two forks to shred the beef into bite-sized pieces, then mix the shredded beef back into the sauce to soak up all that delicious flavor.
7. Assemble the Sandwiches:
Now it’s time to put your sandwiches together! Take the bottom half of each bun and pile on a generous portion of the shredded beef. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and drizzle on some extra barbecue sauce if you’d like.
8. Add the Top Bun:
Top off your sandwiches with the other half of the bun. If you like, serve with pickles and onions on the side for a tasty crunch!
9. Enjoy!
Dig into your warm, delicious pulled beef sandwiches. Don’t forget to have extra barbecue sauce handy for drizzling if you want a little more sauce on top. Yum!
Can I Use a Different Cut of Beef?
Absolutely! If you prefer, you can use brisket or a bottom round roast instead of chuck roast. Just remember that cooking times may vary based on the cut—look for a fork-tender consistency when it’s done.
What If I Don’t Have Beef Broth?
No worries! You can substitute beef broth with water or a mixture of water and soy sauce for added flavor. Alternatively, vegetable broth works too, but it will slightly change the taste of your sandwiches.
Can I Make This Recipe in a Slow Cooker?
Yes, you can definitely use a slow cooker! After searing the beef and preparing the sauce, place everything in the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until the beef is tender and easily shreds.
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat the beef in the microwave or on the stove, adding a bit of extra barbecue sauce to keep it moist!
