Slow Cooker Beef Sliders with Simple Garlic Mayo
These pulled beef sliders honor traditional low-and-slow cooking method while adding my favorite modern twist: homemade garlic mayo and caramelized onions that transform simple beef into something truly special. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a busy night or hosting friends for a football game, this slow cooker dinner recipe proves that good food doesn’t need to be complicated – it just needs time and attention to the details that matter.

Pulled Beef Sliders
Equipment
- Slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 boneless beef chuck pot roast (3 pound)
- 1 ¼ teaspoon salt divided
- 1 ⅛ teaspoon pepper divided
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 packet Au Jus Gravy seasoning mix 1 oz
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 garlic cloves peeled and minced
- 2 large yellow onions peeled and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup butter
- 12 slider buns
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Instructions
- Make Rub. In a small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Add Rub. Rub the mixture onto all sides of the beef roast and place it in a 6-8 quart crockpot.
- Make Gravy Mixture. In a small bowl, whisk together the water and Au Jus Gravy mix.
- Cook Roast. Pour over the roast and cook the roast on high heat for 5 hours.
- Make Mayonnaise Mixture. While the roast cooks, mix mayonnaise, minced garlic, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving time.
- Caramelize Onions. About an hour before the roast is done cooking, melt the butter over medium-low heat in a heavy pan or Dutch oven and add the onions. Cook the onions for 45 minutes on medium-low heat, stirring periodically to prevent burning. The onions will slowly brown, caramelize, and reduce in size. Turn off the heat and place in a serving bowl. Refrigerate if needed before the roast is done cooking.
- Shred Meat. Carefully remove the roast from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. It should be very tender and may break into chunks when removing it from the slow cooker. Using two forks, shred the beef into bite-size pieces. Remove and discard any fatty pieces.
- Return Meat to Crockpot. Return the shredded beef to the crockpot and serve immediately or keep warm until time to serve.
- Serve. To serve, using a slotted spoon or tongs, remove the desired amount of meat and place it on a slider bun. Top with a tablespoon or two of caramelized onions and spread the garlic mayonnaise on the underside of the top bun. Place the top bun over the beef and onions and serve immediately before the juices from the beef cause the slider bun to get too soggy.
Notes
Here’s something fascinating I’ve learned about cooking meat: the less expensive cuts often make the most flavorful meals. They just need time.
Take chuck roast. It’s not a fancy cut, but with slow cooking, something magical happens. All those tough, chewy parts slowly transform into tender, juicy meat that falls apart with just a fork. The secret isn’t in special ingredients or complicated techniques – it’s simply patience.

I’ve learned two key things that make this recipe work:
Those caramelized onions need their own special attention. Sure, you could throw them in the slow cooker with the meat, but taking the time to cook them slowly in a pan brings out their natural sweetness. It’s an extra step, but one that makes all the difference.”
The meat needs to cook slowly to become tender. You can’t rush it! This is where your slow cooker becomes your best friend, doing the hard work while you go about your day.
Key Ingredients and Tools
A few things will help make sure your sliders turn out perfectly:

- Boneless Chuck Roast: This cut of beef has the perfect balance of fat and flavor, making it perfect for slow cooking and shredding.
- Au Jus Gravy Mix: This packet adds a savory richness to the cooking liquid, enhancing the overall flavor of the beef. If you can’t find it, beef broth with a bit of beef bouillon or dry onion soup mix can be a substitute.
- Slider Buns: These mini buns are the perfect size for pulled beef sliders, making them easy to eat and perfect for sharing. You can make your own homemade slider buns or find them in the bakery section of your grocery store.
- Slow Cooker: This handy appliance makes cooking a breeze. You can set it and forget it while the beef becomes tender and flavorful. A slow cooker is helpful for so many recipes, like these 25 ground beef dinner recipes.
Make It Your Own
This isadaptable they are to what you have on hand. Here’s how to make this recipe work with your pantry:
The Meat
- No chuck roast? Any well-marbled, tough cut like bottom round, brisket, or even pork shoulder can work with the same cooking method
- Working with a smaller roast? Keep the seasonings proportional but use the same cooking time
- Have a bone-in roast? Use it – the bone adds extra flavor to the cooking liquid
The Seasonings
- The garlic mayo can be customized with any herbs from your garden – try rosemary, thyme, or even fresh chives
- No Au Jus mix? Make your own blend with beef bouillon, dried onion, and a pinch each of garlic powder and black pepper
- Replace the garlic mayo with any spread you prefer: mustard, horseradish cream, or even just good butter
The Assembly
- Regular buns work just as well as slider buns – just adjust the meat portion accordingly
- Turn leftover meat into different meals: tacos, shepherd’s pie, or beef and barley soup
- Add any crisp vegetables you have for contrast: quick-pickled cucumbers, shredded cabbage, or pepper strips
Remember: good cooking is about technique and intuition more than strict recipes. Trust your instincts and adjust to your family’s tastes. The best version of this recipe is the one that works in your kitchen, with your ingredients, for your people.
Troubleshooting and Help
No problem! You can use a combination of beef broth and a bit of beef bouillon or dry onion soup mix instead. It’ll give your pulled beef a similar savory flavor base.
While a chuck roast is perfect for its marbling and flavor, you can use a round or blade roast in a pinch. Just keep in mind that they might be slightly less tender and flavorful.
Definitely! Caramelized onions taste even better the next day, so feel free to make them a day or two in advance and store them in the refrigerator.
No problem! You can skip the garlic mayo or substitute it with a simple barbecue sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Feel free to message me with any more questions you might have. I’m always happy to help!
So there you have it! These pulled beef sliders are seriously delicious and much easier to make than you might think. Your slow cooker does most of the work, leaving you free to hang out with your family and friends. Trust me, these sliders will be a hit with everyone!


By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.