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–+ servings

Slow Cooker Cowboy Sandwiches

Shredded chuck roast slow-cooked in a smoky-sweet BBQ sauce with bacon and green chilies, piled onto buns with cheddar and crispy onions.
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:8 hours
Total Time:8 hours 15 minutes

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • Frying pan

Ingredients

Beef for Sandwiches

  • ½ pound bacon cooked (you will need the rest of the package to put on top, so cook the whole pound!)
  • 2 ½ pounds chuck roast
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 large onion sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cans diced green chilies 7 ounces each
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar

Assembly

  • ½ pound bacon cooked
  • 1 cup crispy fried onions
  • 8 hamburger buns
  • 8 slices Cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • Add the roast. Place the chuck roast into the bottom of your slow cooker.
  • Build the sauce. Add the BBQ sauce, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, green chilies, brown sugar, and half of the cooked bacon to the slow cooker.
  • Coat the roast. Mix everything together well until the roast is completely coated in the sauce mixture.
  • Slow cook. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours, or on high for 5 to 6 hours, until the beef is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
  • Shred the beef. Shred the beef directly inside the slow cooker with two forks, then stir it through the sauce so it soaks up all the juices.
  • Toast the onions. Heat a dry frying pan over medium heat and toast the crispy fried onions for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and fragrant.
  • Fill the buns. Split the hamburger buns and toast them lightly if desired, then pile a generous amount of shredded beef onto the bottom half of each bun.
  • Assemble and serve. Top the beef with a slice of Cheddar, the reserved bacon, and the toasted crispy onions, then place the top bun on face-down and serve warm so the cheese melts.

Notes

Store leftover shredded beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, or 1 to 2 minutes in the microwave.
To freeze, cool completely, transfer to a heavy-duty freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To toast buns in the oven, place split-side up on a baking sheet at 350°F for 5 minutes. Pepper Jack, Provolone, or Monterey Jack all work in place of Cheddar. Top round roast or boneless pork shoulder can be swapped for the chuck roast at the same weight and cook time. Pickled jalapeños or dill pickle chips are great additions on top of the cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 835kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 56g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 171mg | Sodium: 1828mg | Potassium: 1167mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 414IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 274mg | Iron: 7mg
Servings: 8 sandwiches
Calories: 835kcal
Author: Katie Shaw