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Southern Crock Pot Barbecue Beef

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Slow-cooked barbecue beef (or pork) made tender in the crock pot, then mixed with a classic Southern-style barbecue sauce using the flavorful meat broth. Perfect for sandwiches, sliders, or a Southern dinner plate.
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Slow Cooker
  • Skill Level: Beginner
southern crock pot barbecue beef sandwich- CHGT

Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 6-8 hours | Finish: 20 minutes | Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

Slow Cooker Beef

  • Beef roast (or pork roast)
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • ½ cup water

Southern Barbecue Sauce

  • ¾ cup meat broth (reserved from cooking roast)
  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons mustard
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Place roast, chopped onions, and water into a crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours (or until very tender).
  2. Carefully drain the broth into a bowl and set it aside (you'll use it for the sauce).
  3. Shred the meat using two forks and return it to the crock pot.
  4. In a bowl, whisk together reserved broth, ketchup, mustard, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, salt, and pepper.
  5. Pour sauce over shredded meat and stir until evenly coated.
  6. Cook on low for about 20 minutes to warm through and blend flavors.
  7. Serve on buns or rolls (or as a BBQ plate with sides).

Kid-Friendly Tips

  • Kids can help measure sauce ingredients and whisk the sauce
  • Adults should handle draining hot broth and shredding hot meat
  • Let kids assemble sandwiches with buns, pickles, or coleslaw

Serving Ideas

  • Serve on buns with pickles and coleslaw
  • Make sliders for parties
  • Pair with baked beans, corn, or mac and cheese

Notes

If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer the sauce in a saucepan for a few minutes before adding it to the crock pot. Leftovers taste even better the next day!

Storage

Store barbecue beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

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Recipe, image and content from Kids-Cooking-Activities.com