Ingredients:
- 2 to 2.5 pounds beef chuck roast — This cut is excellent for slow cooking as it becomes more tender and flavorful over time.
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce — You can use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce or make your own. A smoky or slightly spicy BBQ sauce works well.
- 1/4 cup ketchup — Adds a tangy tomato base that complements the sweetness of the BBQ sauce.
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar — Enhances the natural sweetness of the sauce and helps to create a nice glaze on the roast.
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar — Adds acidity, balancing the sweetness of the sugar and ketchup, and tenderizes the meat.
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard — Gives a slight heat and depth of flavor.
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce — Adds complexity with its savory and slightly tangy flavor.
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder — Provides a gentle heat that warms the palate without overpowering the other flavors.
Directions:
- Prepare the Roast:
- If necessary, slice the beef chuck roast in half to fit into a 4-quart crock pot. This ensures that the roast cooks evenly and is thoroughly infused with the sauce.
- Make the Sauce:
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, ketchup, light brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and chili powder until well combined. This blend of ingredients creates a rich, tangy, and sweet sauce that will caramelize slightly as it cooks.
- Cook the Roast:
- Place the beef chuck roast into the crock pot. Pour the mixed sauce evenly over the roast, making sure it’s well-coated.
- Set the crock pot to low and cook for approximately 6 hours. The slow cooking process allows the meat to become tender and absorb all the flavors of the sauce.
- Shred and Serve:
- After cooking, remove the roast from the crock pot. It should be tender enough to fall apart easily. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Transfer the shredded beef to a serving dish. Ladle some of the cooking juices over the shredded beef to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Serve the BBQ beef roast as is, or use it as a filling for sandwiches or toppings for baked potatoes.
Tips:
- Serving Suggestions: Serve the shredded beef on soft hamburger buns for a delicious BBQ beef sandwich, or top over rice or mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
- Adjusting Flavors: Feel free to adjust the amount of chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you prefer a spicier kick.
This dish, credited to Janet’s Appalachian Kitchen, is a perfect example of easy, satisfying slow-cooker cooking that brings deep flavors to the table with minimal effort.
