BBQ Beef – Crockpot Shredded

Deliciously smoky, tender, juicy and full of flavor, my crockpot shredded BBQ beef is the next best thing to real barbecue. Just 5 minutes of work, then “set and forget” – leaving it cooking slowly all day in the crockpot, so you can come home to dinner ready to go.

Does Crockpot Shredded BBQ Beef Really Taste Like Barbecue?

I’m not going to lie – there’s nothing like real, slow-cooked barbecue. But you need a proper BBQ smoker to do it, which most of us don’t have at home. I’m no pit master myself, but sometimes I do just have a craving for juicy, smoky beef. And making it in the crockpot comes really close. There are three secrets to getting it right:

1. Don’t rush it. This is why a crockpot is ideal. By cooking in an enclosed space on low heat, very slowly, all the fibers and connective tissue of the meat break down into meltingly tender beef, with none of the juices lost.
2. Make a good dry rub. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated, but a few spices boost the flavor considerably.
3. Liquid smoke. This miracle condiment replicates the smoky flavor of a barbecue, making an easy cheat’s version of the best BBQ flavor.

What is Liquid Smoke?

The rather alarming sounding liquid smoke is – well, exactly what it says it is. The procedure for making it sounds pretty complex and it’s been found to contain some potentially harmful PLP compounds; however substantially fewer than are found on “real” barbecue or other smoked meat products. So if you’re happy to eat BBQ, there’s no reason to avoid liquid smoke for health reasons.

I used a hickory liquid smoke, but there are other types available as well. One thing to be aware of, though, is that it is very strongly flavored and a little goes a LONG way. Don’t be tempted to add more than a recipe calls for.

Preparing for the Crockpot

This couldn’t be easier. Simply rub the spices and salt into the meat, pour the liquid around it, and sit the butter on top, for a little extra fat and flavor. If your joint of beef is well-marbled with fat, you can skip the butter altogether. One of the reasons why I love this recipe is how little preparation time there is for it.

After that, it’s a simple matter of setting it to low and letting the crockpot do its work, for 8-10 hours until the beef is tender to point of falling apart. If you are in a hurry, you can set to medium or even high, and cook for less time, but it’s not recommended. This dish is best cooked slow and low.

Once the meat is tender, you then want to shred it. I normally use two forks to yield tender shredded meat. And make sure you mix the shredded BBQ beef back into all the delicious roasting juices at the bottom of the crockpot! This not only makes it more flavorful, but it also helps to keep the meat extra juicy.

How to Serve Crockpot Shredded BBQ Beef

Honestly, there are many, many things you could do with it. I have mixed the meat into stews, made tacos, used it as the base for rich pasta sauces, simply served it over rice, and lots more besides. But my favorite of all is still the classic BBQ sandwich of grill parties: stuff the BBQ beef into buns with some coleslaw, pickles, and extra BBQ sauce. It’s messy as hell to eat, so make sure you have napkins to hand, but SO DELICIOUS.

How to Store BBQ Beef

BBQ beef keeps very well in the fridge for at least a few days. It also freezes very well. I suggest wrapping individual portions in freezer-safe plastic wrap, and then you can take out as much as you need at the time.

You can reheat it in the microwave or in a low oven.

And more…

Looking for more beef recipes? Try out one of my previous creations!

• Roast Beef Sliders
• Slow-Cooker Japanese Beef Curry
• Jamiacan Beef Patties
• Vietnamese Beef Salad
• Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup