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Hearty Pulled Beef Sandwich Recipe

Hearty Pulled Beef Sandwich Recipe


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4.8 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Mexican pulled beef sandwiches blend tender, slow-cooked meat with zesty spices for an authentic culinary experience. Hearty flavors and simple ingredients create a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 lbs (1.36 kg) beef chuck roast (or brisket)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth
  • ½ cup (120 ml) barbecue sauce
  • 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
  • 6 brioche or hamburger buns
  • ½ cup (120 ml) coleslaw (optional, for topping)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)
  • Extra barbecue sauce (for drizzling)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Thoroughly dry beef and create a flavor-packed seasoning mixture using salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, ensuring complete and even coverage.
  2. Searing: Heat a large skillet over medium-high, add olive oil, and expertly sear the seasoned beef for 2-3 minutes per side, developing a caramelized crust that intensifies the meat’s natural flavors.
  3. Slow Cooking: Transfer seared beef to a slow cooker and infuse with a harmonious blend of beef broth, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and mustard, creating a complex flavor profile.
  4. Transformation: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours until the beef becomes incredibly tender and easily falls apart with minimal effort.
  5. Shredding and Finishing: Remove beef from cooking liquid, shred using two forks, then reunite the meat with its rich sauce, ensuring each strand is thoroughly coated with the deeply developed flavors.
  6. Serving: Toast buns for added texture, pile high with succulent pulled beef, top with crisp coleslaw, and finish with an extra splash of barbecue sauce for a final flavor explosion.

Notes

  • Moisture Management: Pat beef completely dry before seasoning to promote perfect caramelization and prevent steaming instead of searing.
  • Seasoning Strategy: Create a balanced spice blend with even distribution, pressing seasonings firmly into meat’s surface for maximum flavor absorption.
  • Slow Cooking Precision: Monitor liquid levels during cooking to prevent drying out, adding extra broth if needed to maintain meat’s tenderness and juiciness.
  • Texture Enhancement: Let beef rest briefly after shredding to allow sauce absorption and flavor melding, ensuring each bite delivers maximum taste complexity.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg