• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Mom's Dinner
  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
    • All Instant Pot Recipes
    • Instant Pot Soup
    • Instant Pot Beef
    • Instant Pot Chicken
    • Instant Pot Pork
    • Instant Pot Turkey
    • Instant Pot Pasta
    • Instant Pot Vegetarian
  • Dinner
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Turkey
    • Fish & Seafood
    • Mexican
    • Pasta
    • Vegetarian
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Dinner
  • Podcast
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • Dinner
    • Podcast
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    You are here: Home / Recipes / Beef

    Shredded BBQ Beef (oven or crock pot)

    Published: Mar 15, 2021 · Modified: Mar 15, 2021 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links.

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    shredded bbq beef on a bun topped with coleslaw
    pinterest image with text

    This Shredded BBQ Beef is fall-apart tender and flavorful! Beef chuck roast is seasoned & braised in the oven, then finished with a homemade BBQ seasoning giving it tons of flavor. Serve it piled on top of buns with your favorite BBQ Sauce and all the BBQ side dishes!

    shredded bbq beef on a bun topped with coleslaw

    We show this Shredded BBQ Beef on buns, however it would also be amazing in place of the chicken in these BBQ Sliders or BBQ Pizza!

    Table of Contents hide
    1 Why This Recipe Works
    2 Instant Pot
    3 Ingredients
    4 Braising
    5 Step by Step Picture Instructions
    6 Serving
    7 Make Ahead
    8 Crock Pot
    9 Great BBQ Side Dishes
    10 Expert Tips
    11 Recipe FAQ’s
    12 Related Recipes
    13 Did you make this recipe?!
    14 Shredded BBQ Beef

    Why This Recipe Works

    • We are based in KC and know good BBQ flavor. (insert heart emoji)
    • You are starting with chuck roast, which is a wonderful cut of beef that has amazing beef flavor.
    • Chuck roast cooks down perfectly when braised for 3 hours.
    • You will be adding flavor in 4 ways: BBQ seasoning before cooking, the braising liquid, then finishing with the BBQ seasoning after cooking, and finally the BBQ sauce at the end. Helloooo flavor country!
    • By cutting the chuck roast into 3 inch pieces you cut the cooking time down a little AND create more surface area for flavor.

    Instant Pot

    If you have an Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker and would rather cook this recipe using that, pop over to this recipe for Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Beef!

    Ingredients

    Here are the ingredients that you need to make BBQ Shredded Beef, and some tips on a few ingredients.

    ingredients laid out on the table with labels

    Beef Chuck Roast– When choosing a chuck roast pick a 3-4 lb. “choice” roast that has a rosy/red appearance with nice marbling throughout.

    I have found that Aldi has great quality Chuck Roast at the very best “every day” price. At my store it is $4.99/lb.

    Costco also carries a great Chuck Roast, but you will be buying 2-3 at a time. However, they freeze really well!

    Freezing Chuck Roast – To freeze raw chuck roast wrap it in plastic wrap (I also like to add a layer of foil over the plastic wrap), then pop it in a freezer safe baggie, mark the date on the outside, and keep frozen for up to 3 months.

    Thawing – To thaw a frozen chuck roast place it in the fridge 2-3 days before you plan on cooking.

    Braising

    The method you will be using to cook your chuck roast is called Braising.

    Braising- simmering meat and vegetables in a small amount of liquid in a covered pot. Cooking on a lower temperature for longer period of time (low and slow).

    It is a great method to tenderize and flavor tougher cuts of meat as the liquid and steam break down the connective tissue over the longer cooking time.

    Now if you are looking to cook your chuck roast on a smoker then check out this Smoked Pulled Beef from Hey Grill Hey.

    Step by Step Picture Instructions

    Start by preheating the oven to 325°. Grab a large heavy bottom pot with a lid. I use my Dutch Oven for this recipe.

    BBQ Seasoning

    In a small bowl mix together all the BBQ Seasoning ingredients – brown sugar lightly packed, chili powder, kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ground mustard.

    a bowl of homemade bbq seasoning

    Reserve 2 tablespoon of the BBQ Seasoning and set aside, you will use this after you shred the beef. It is one of the secrets to why this is such a flavorful recipe!

    Beef Prep

    Pat the beef chuck roast dry with paper towels.

    Cut it into 3 inch chunks, removing any large pieces of white fat.

    Season all sides of the beef pieces with the BBQ Seasoning.

    • chuck roast cut into 3 inch pieces and trimmed of fat
    • large beef chunks seasoned with spices and herbs

    In your large pot whisk together the beef broth, Worcestershire and tomato paste.

    Add the quartered onions and smashed garlic cloves to the liquid in the pot.

    seasoned beef pieces in a dutch oven with liquid and onions

    Carefully place the seasoned beef pieces on top of the onions.

    Pro Tip – mop up any excess seasoning with the pieces of beef before you place it in the pot.

    Cooking

    Pop the lid on and place in the 325 degree preheated oven for 3 hours.

    Expert Tip- if at the end of 3 hours your beef is not tender, add 20 minute increments until it is ready.

    chuck roast that has been braised in a dutch oven

    Finishing

    Remove the beef pieces from the pot.

    Pro Tip- place on a rimmed baking sheet it will keep the juices in the pan!

    Optionally you can add the garlic and cooked onions from the braising liquid to your shredded beef.

    The braising liquid is discarded in this recipe. It can tend to be greasy and in turn can make your BBQ beef greasy.

    Shred with 2 forks removing and discarding any large pieces of fat you may come across.

    • a rimmed baking sheet with large pieces of beef that have been cooked
    • sprinkling seasoning on shredded beef

    Sprinkle HALF of the reserved BBQ Seasoning over the shredded beef and toss to coat.

    Now is when you get to use your taster… Taste test a few pieces and see if you want to add more seasoning or leave it as is.

    Add ½ cup of your favorite BBQ Sauce and give it a good toss to coat.

    a rimmed baking sheet with shredded beef coated in BBQ sauce

    Serving

    Serve your warm Shredded BBQ Beef on buns or rolls with additional BBQ sauce, coleslaw, pickles and/or cheese…. whatever toppings you like!

    Make Ahead

    You can absolutely make this shredded beef in advance.

    Pro Tip- if you are making in advance leave the BBQ sauce off until it is time to reheat.

    Place the prepared and cooled shredded beef in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 5 days.

    You can also place in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

    a rimmed baking sheet with shredded beef coated in seasoning and BBQ sauce

    Crock Pot

    A lot of Shredded Beef recipes are actually made in the crock pot. This recipe should work perfectly fine in a crock pot too.

    Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, until the beef is easily shredded with two forks.

    Great BBQ Side Dishes

    Don’t forget to make it a meal with a few of these amazing side dishes that are great for BBQ:

    • Sweet Cornbread Muffins
    • Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
    • Instant Pot Potato Salad
    • Easy Jiffy Corn Casserole
    • Broccoli Bacon Salad
    • Ultimate Cheesy Potato Casserole
    • Raspberry Jello Fluff
    • Easy Pasta Salad with Tons of Veggies
    • Twice Baked Potato Casserole

    Expert Tips

    • Start by choosing a well marbled but not overly fatty chuck roast. “Choice” rating is great here.
    • Cut your chuck roast into 3 inch chunks to maximize your flavor surface area.
    • Reserve some of the BBQ seasoning for after the beef cooks. It makes all the difference!
    • Trim large pieces of fat from your chuck roast before braising.
    • Choose a BBQ sauce that you love. We love Joe’s KC.

    Recipe FAQ’s

    What is the best cut of beef for shredding?

    We find that chuck roast is the best cut of beef for shredding. The vertical grain of the beef shreds down into perfect 2-3 inch (average) strands of beef.

    Why is my shredded be dry?

    If you cut your beef into smaller pieces (smaller than 2 inches) they will not be able to withstand the 3 hour cooking time and will dry out in the end. A large 3 inch piece of beef is perfect when braised in liquid, low and slow. You will have perfectly tender and juicy beef!

    Related Recipes

    Here are some other recipes that use a beef chuck roast that make amazing dinner recipes:

    • Instant Pot Italian Beef
    • Beef Ragu
    • Beef Pot Roast with Gravy
    • Mexican Shredded Beef – Barbacoa

    Susie Weinrich washing produce

    Did you make this recipe?!

    If you make this recipe I would love to hear your review. Pop down to the comment section and connect with me.

    Then sign up for our Weekly Newsletter so you never miss a new recipe!

    Rate This Recipe

    Shredded BBQ Beef

    This Shredded BBQ Beef is fall-apart tender and flavorful! Beef chuck roast is seasoned & braised in the oven (or crock pot). It is finished with a homemade BBQ seasoning giving it tons of flavor.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 3 hours
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 497kcal
    Author: Susie Weinrich

    Equipment

    • Heavy bottom, oven safe pot with a lid (I use an enameled Dutch Oven)

    Ingredients

    • 3 lb beef chuck roast trimmed and cut into 3 inch chunks
    • 2 cups beef broth
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 onions (white or yellow) quartered
    • 3 garlic cloves crushed
    • ½ cup store bought BBQ Sauce your family's favorite brand

    BBQ Seasoning

    • 1 ½ tablespoon brown sugar lightly packed
    • 1 tablespoon chili powder
    • 2 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon ground/dry mustard

    Serving

    • Buns & BBQ Sauce
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you are cooking!

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 325°.
    • In a small bowl mix together all the BBQ Seasoning ingredients.
      Expert Tip – make sure all the brown sugar clumps are separated before moving on.
    • Reserve 2 tablespoon of the BBQ Seasoning and set aside.
    • Pat the beef dry with paper towels. Then cut it into 3 inch chunks.
      Discard any large pieces of white fat.
    • Season all sides of the beef with the BBQ Seasoning.
    • In a large pot (that has a lid, like a Dutch oven) whisk together the beef broth, Worcestershire and tomato paste.
      Add the onions and garlic to the pot.
    • Place the seasoned beef pieces on top of the onions in the pot.
      Expert Tip- mop up any excess seasoning with the beef pieces before placing in the pot.
    • Pop the lid on and place in the preheated oven for 3 hours, until the beef shreds easily.
      Expert Tip- if at the end of 3 hours your beef is not tender, add 20 minute increments until it is ready.
    • Remove the beef pieces from the pot, place on a rimmed baking sheet and shred with 2 forks.
      Remove any large pieces of fat you may come across.
    • Optionally you can add the garlic and cooked onions from the braising liquid to your shredded beef.
      The actual braising liquid is discarded in this recipe. It can tend to be quite greasy and would also make your bbq beef greasy.
    • Sprinkle ½ of the reserved BBQ Seasoning over the shredded beef and toss to coat. Give it a taste and add more seasoning to your liking.
    • Mix the beef with ½ cup of your favorite BBQ Sauce.
    • Serve the Shredded BBQ Beef on buns or rolls with additional BBQ sauce, coleslaw, pickles and/or cheese…. whatever toppings you like!

    Notes:

    This can also be made in a Crock Pot : 
    Follow the prep instructions above, and then cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, until the beef is easily shred with two forks.
    Then continue with the instructions for shredding and seasoning in the recipe above. 
    Instant Pot: 
    If you would rather use your Instant Pot, pop over to this recipe for Instant Pot BBQ Beef.
    Make Ahead :
    If you are making in advance leave the BBQ sauce off until it is time to reheat.
    Place in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
    Recipe Tips:
    • Start by choosing a well marbled but not overly fatty chuck roast. “Choice” rating is great here.
    • Cut your chuck roast into 3 inch chunks to maximize your flavor surface area.
    • Trim large pieces of fat from your chuck roast before braising.
    • Choose a BBQ sauce that you love.
    Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
    Jump to Comments
    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 497kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 1589mg | Potassium: 1021mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 607IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 6mg

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

    More beef Recipes

    • Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
    • Easy Smothered Burritos
    • Instant Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice
    • Instant Pot Beef Ragu
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Email

    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. John

      September 19, 2021 at 8:00 pm

      This is the best shredded bbq beef I have ever had, and I’m from KC!!! Loved it. Thank you

      Reply

    We would love to have you comment & rate the recipe! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    picture of Susie with Mom's Dinner

    Hi, I’m Susie, the Mom at Mom’s Dinner! Here you will find simple dinner recipes (and more) that are made with easy to find ingredients. Read More…

    NEED QUICK DINNER IDEAS? CHECK OUT THE PODCAST!

    mom's dinner featured in these places, buzzfeed, foodgawker, food yub, fridgg

    New Recipes to Check Out!

    • 30 Easy Meals for a Large Group on Vacation
    • Big ‘ol Italian Salad
    • Fresh Ginger Margarita
    • Horseradish Cream Sauce
    • Grilled Steak Tacos with Chipotle Crema
    • Hot Dog Chili

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Susie Weinrich
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter & Contact

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Contact Me!

    Recipes

    • Recipe By Category
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes

    Copyright © 2022 Mom's Dinner