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Crockpot shredded beef sandwich on a dark wood cutting board on top of a cream napkin.

Crockpot Shredded Beef

Forget the expensive barbecue joint and make this delicious crockpot shredded beef at home! It has the same smoky flavor thanks to smoked paprika and cumin. It's easy too. It uses flavorful beef short ribs, a simple spice rub, and your favorite barbecue sauce. Serve it in a toasted brioche hamburger bun topped with coleslaw for an amazing sandwich that's perfect for lunch, brunch, or dinner!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time7 hours
Total Time7 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 711kcal
Author: Sandra

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar Light or dark, packed.
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground red pepper
  • 3 pounds beef short ribs
  • ½ cup barbecue sauce
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
  • 6 brioche rolls
  • ¾ cup coleslaw Optional.

Instructions

  • Spray the inside of Crockpot with cooking spray.
  • In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and ground red pepper.
    1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground red pepper
  • Rub ribs with spice mixture.
    3 pounds beef short ribs
  • Place ribs in Crockpot, fat side up.
  • Pour in barbecue sauce and water.
    ½ cup barbecue sauce, ¼ cup water
  • Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 4½ hours. Ribs are done when they are very tender and meat shreds easily.
  • Remove ribs to a large cutting board. Discard bones and remove meat to a large bowl. Shred meat using two forks pulling away from each other in opposite directions.. Discard any large pieces of fat or sinew. Stir in 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce and 2 tablespoons of liquid from the Crockpot.
    2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
  • Toast brioche buns and arrange bottom half of rolls on a platter. Top each with ¼ cup beef mixture and 1 tablespoon coleslaw. Place roll tops on each.
    6 brioche rolls, ¾ cup coleslaw

Nutrition

Calories: 711kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 241mg | Sodium: 1000mg | Potassium: 699mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1097IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 5mg