Pulled BBQ Beef Sandwiches

These BBQ Pulled Beef Sandwiches are the best entrée to serve a crowd for a tailgate, picnic or bbq. With 10 minutes of prep time, the smoker does the rest of the cooking for you. Use your favorite bbq sauce for the best bite.

These Pulled BBQ Beef Sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food—tender, juicy beef slow-cooked in a rich, smoky barbecue sauce and piled high onto soft buns. Perfect for weeknight dinners, game days, or casual gatherings, this recipe is easy to make and always a crowd favorite.

Summer coming up calls for lots of delicious barbecue recipes. If you enjoy the Pulled BBQ Beef Sandwiches, be sure to check out some other popular summer grilling recipes. We have our tasty Beef Dino Ribs and our Teriyaki Party Wings that are super popular and super easy to make!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy slow cooker or oven-friendly recipe
  
• Ultra tender, flavorful shredded beef
  
• Perfect for feeding a crowd
  
• Great for meal prep and leftovers
  
• Customizable with your favorite toppings

Ingredients:

• Rump or Chuck Roast – A fatty cut, perfect for low and slow cooking.
• BBQ Rub – Feel free to use your favorite kind.
• Bacon Up – Delicious bacon grease without the hassle.
• Beef Broth – Keeps your meat moist.
• Worcestershire Sauce – You can’t make a BBQ dish without Worcestershire sauce.
• BBQ Sauce – Feel free to use the same type as your rub, or change it up to mix flavors.
• Cheese Slices or Cheese Dip – Provolone, cheddar and pepper jack are all good options, The meltier the better.
• Buns – You can use brioche, regular hamburger, potato rolls or Hawaiian, whatever you like best!

How to Make Pulled BBQ Beef Sandwiches:

1. Start by applying a binder to the roast and then seasoning with BBQ rub.

2. Allow to sit on counter while bringing smoker to temp.
3. Get temp. on smoker to 275 degrees.
4. Place roast directly on rack and smoke at 275 until a nice bark forms, should be at 160-170 internal temp.

5. Then move roast to aluminum pan and add beef broth until it covers around half the roast.

6. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
7. Increase temp to 300 and allow roast to cook until it reaches internal temp of 205 degrees.
8. Pull and allow to rest for 20 min pan.

9. Once rested, removed from braising liquid and shred.

10. Add more BBQ rub, BBQ sauce, and Worcestershire sauce and mix together well.
11. Toast up some buns, add your beef, and top with cheese sauce.
12. Enjoy!

Substitutions and Variations:

• Make it spicy with chipotle or hot sauce
  
• Use a pressure cooker for faster cooking
  
• Swap beef for pork or chicken
  
• Add caramelized onions for extra sweetness
  
• Try different BBQ sauce flavors (sweet, smoky, tangy)

Expert Tips:

• Sear the beef first for deeper flavor
• Use a well-marbled cut like chuck roast for best texture
• Don’t rush the cooking time—low and slow is key
  
• Toast buns to prevent sogginess
• Add extra BBQ sauce before serving for maximum flavor
  

What to Serve With Pulled BBQ Beef Sandwiches:

• Coleslaw
• Baked beans
  
• Potato salad
  
• French fries or sweet potato fries
  
• Corn on the cob

Storage:

While these sandwiches are best served fresh once assembled, the components can be stored separately. You can pre-cook the meat and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or you could freeze the meat for months. Once ready to reheat, grab some fresh bread and toppings and assemble your sandwiches. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

What cut of beef is best for pulled BBQ beef?
Chuck Roast, has the best fat marbling for a tender bite.

Can I make this without a slow cooker?
Yes, you can use a pressure cooker for faster cooking.

How do I keep the beef from drying out?
Use plenty of beef broth to hydrate the meat and don’t overcook it.

What toppings go best on BBQ beef sandwiches?
Coleslaw, dill pickle chips, crispy onion slices, and of course cheese are all great toppings!

More Beef Recipes To Try:

• Brisket Grilled Cheese
• Garlic Butter Steak Bites
• Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast
• Ranch Beef Stroganoff

Pulled BBQ Beef Sandwiches

These BBQ Pulled Beef Sandwiches are the best entrée to serve a crowd for a tailgate, picnic or bbq. With 10 minutes of prep time, the smoker does the rest of the cooking for you. Use your favorite bbq sauce for the best bite.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Beef

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours hours

Video

Ingredients

• 1 Rump or Chuck Roast 3-5lbs
• BBQ Rub
• Bacon Up binder(optional)
• 24 oz Beef Broth
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 bottle BBQ sauce
• cheese slices or cheese dip
• Buns

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Start by applying a binder to the roast and then seasoning with BBQ rub. Allow to sit on counter while bringing smoker to temp.
• Get temp on smoker to 275 degrees
• Place roast directly on rack and smoke at 275 until a nice bark forms, should be at 160-170 internal temp
• Then move roast to aluminum pan and add beef broth until it covers around half the roast. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
• Increase temp to 300 and allow roast to cook until it reaches internal temp of 205 degrees.
• Pull and allow to rest for 20 min pan.
• Once rested, removed from braising liquid and shred.
• Add more BBQ rub, BBQ sauce, annd W sauce and mix together well.
• Toast up some buns, add your beef, and top with cheese sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

This can be done in the oven if you don"t have smoker and will still be delicious!  Just place on a wire rack over a baking pan and cook until 160.  Then transfer to the aluminum pan with braising liquid covered for the rest of the cook.