The easiest bbq shredded beef recipe! Tender melt-in-your-mouth shreds of beef are slow-cooked to perfection then smothered in sweet & tangy bbq sauce! It’s a deliciously satisfying meal that takes minutes to prepare!
The newest addition to my crockpot chuck roast line up! (If you’re a fan of my crockpot chipotle shredded beef recipe, you’re going to LOVE this barbecue version!) It’s so simple yet loaded with flavor AND incredibly versatile.
This bbq beef is perfect for those busy weeknights. You’ll simply season the beef, add it to the pot, set it on low and let it go! It slow cooks all day giving you the most tender melt-in-your-mouth beef that takes seconds to shred. Toss it with your favorite bbq sauce and a few other ingredients for the most delicious hassle-free meal!
This crockpot dinner is perfect for potlucks, game day parties or any time you need to feed a large crowd!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Boneless beef chuck roast: Look for beef roast that has a decent amount of marbling for the best flavor. (Don’t worry if there’s a large section of fat – you’ll be removing it when you shred the beef.)
Beef broth: You’ll need 1 cup of beef broth for this recipe. This helps to keep the beef tender while it cooks and infuses it while flavor.
Spices: You’ll be mixing together a blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper to coat the beef.
BBQ sauce: Use your favorite barbecue sauce! (We love using Stubbs Smokey Mesquite sauce for ours.)
How To Make BBQ Shredded Beef In The Crockpot
1. Season the beef. Mix the smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder together in a small bowl. Cut the beef into large pieces (about 3-4 inches) and place them in a large bowl. Add the spice mixture to the beef and toss/rub until every piece is fully coated.
2. Cook. Pour the beef broth into a crockpot and add the seasoned beef pieces. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
3. Shred and serve. Once done, transfer the beef to a large tray and reserve some of the juice from the crockpot. (Discard the rest of the liquid if desired.) Shred the beef using 2 large forks and remove any large fat pieces. At this point you can mix your desired amount of barbecue sauce into the shredded beef or serve it on the side. (Alternatively, you can add the shredded beef back to the crockpot along with some of the juice and/or barbecue sauce to keep it moist.) Serve immediately with your favorite buns.
Serving Serving Suggestions
I always love having a giant crockpot full of meat – there’s soo many options for serving! You can go the traditional route with sandwiches or try something new! Here are a few of our favorite ways to serve it! (I’d personally suggest serving the bbq sauce on the side instead of mixing it into the beef. I feel like it’s more versatile that way and the leftovers don’t always need to include bbq sauce.)
- Shredded Beef Sandwiches! Sandwich the beef between your favorite buns with a little extra bbq sauce! Add fun toppings like pickled red onion, pickles or even a slice of cheese.
- Shredded Beef Sliders! Make a mini version of sandwiches by using Hawaiian sweet rolls instead! Feel free to mix and match the toppings or even create a fun toppings bar.
- Stuffed Sweet Potatoes! Skip the bread & spoon the shredded beef into a perfectly roasted sweet potato! Add a variety of toppings like fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, pepperoncini, pickled onions or even your favorite coleslaw for some crunch!
- BBQ Beef Bowls! My family loves making these! Assemble the bowls with rice on the bottom, layered with shredded beef, roasted veggies and any other toppings your heart desires.
Storing & Reheating
Store your leftover shredded beef in an air tight in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
The beef can be reheated either in the microwave or on the stovetop. (I personally prefer the stove.) To reheat, add the beef to a sauce pot, cover it and heat over medium-low heat until it’s heated through. (You may want to add a splash of water or beef broth to keep it moist while heating.)
Why you’ll love this shredded beef recipe!
- Perfect for feeding a crowd! This crockpot beef recipe makes A LOT of meat making it ideal for potlucks and cookouts. (Easily doubled or tripled if needed!)
- Versatile! From sandwiches to nachos to protein bowls – this beef can be used in a variety of ways & they’re all delicious! Mix the sauce right in or serve it on the side, the decision is yours!
- A hassle-free meal! Just a few minutes of prep & your crockpot does all the work – it doesn’t get any easier!
[Made one of my recipes? Tag my Instagram @kalefornia_kravings & leave a review in the comments – I love seeing what you create!]
More beef recipes you might enjoy:
- Crockpot Chipotle Shredded Beef
- Easy Ground Beef Tostadas
- Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Easy Taco Cups
Easy Crockpot BBQ Shredded Beef
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs. chuck roast
- 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup beef broth
- Barbecue sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Season the beef. Mix the smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder together in a small bowl.Cut the beef into large pieces (about 3-4 inches) and place them in a larger bowl. Add the spice mixture to the beef and toss/rub until every piece is fully coated.
- Cook. Pour the beef broth into the crockpot and add the seasoned beef. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Shred and serve. Once done, transfer the beef to a large tray and reserve some of the juice from the crockpot. (Discard the rest of the liquid if desired.)Shred the beef using 2 forks and remove any large fat pieces. At this point you can mix your desired amount of barbecue sauce into the shredded beef or serve it on the side. (Alternatively, you can add the shredded beef back to the crockpot along with some of the juice and/or barbecue sauce to keep it moist.) Serve immediately with your favorite buns.
