• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Healthy Recipes Blog
  • Fall Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Fall Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Meat Recipes » Pulled Beef

    Pulled Beef

    Last updated: May 16, 2022 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Slow-cooked in homemade barbecue sauce and then shredded, this easy dish of pulled beef is wonderfully flavorful.

    While often served in a hamburger bun, it's just as good when served in lettuce wraps!

    Pulled beef served on a white plate in lettuce wraps.

    This recipe was inspired by two of my family's favorite dinners - pulled pork and pulled chicken. Looking at the chuck roast in my fridge one morning, I thought to myself, why not try the same concept with beef? Combine the meat with homemade barbecue sauce and let them cook away in the slow cooker.

    The resulting pulled beef is amazing - rich, flavorful, filling, and so comforting. I've been making it often. In the winter, it's wonderful over hot cauliflower mash. And in the summer, I love serving it in lettuce wraps.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert tips
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storing leftovers
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe Card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

    BBQ sauce: As mentioned above, I use my tried-and-tested homemade bbq sauce in this recipe. It's easy to make, requires no cooking, and it's delicious. But you can certainly opt for a store-bought sauce instead. My homemade sauce is made with tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper, garlic and onion powders, smoked paprika, and a sweetener.

    Beef chuck roast: One of my favorite cuts of beef. It's very flavorful, but it requires slow cooking or it's tough.

    Instructions

    Making pulled beef is easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

    You start by mixing the BBQ sauce in a bowl or a jar. It's very easy! Simply add all the ingredients and whisk to combine.

    Next, place the meat in your slow cooker. Pour the BBQ sauce on top and use your hands to make sure the meat is well coated.

    Cook the meat for 8 hours on LOW or for 5 hours on HIGH, until it's very tender.

    Carefully remove the lid - hot steam will escape - and use two forks to shred the meat and mix it with the cooking juices.

    A six-photo collage showing the steps for making pulled beef in the slow cooker.

    Expert tips

    For the best most tender results, cook the meat on LOW for 8 hours. If you need to cook it for a shorter time, 5 hours on HIGH is acceptable. I tried cooking it on HIGH for 4 hours and it wasn't tender enough to shred - so I do recommend 5 hours.

    When buying the meat, try to select a well-trimmed piece, or ask the butcher to trim it for you. I've got nothing against fat (it's delicious!), but when making shredded meat, you don't want large pieces of fat in there.

    Frequently asked questions

    What cut of meat is used for pulled beef?

    Chuck roast is a good choice for any recipe that requires slow cooking and shredding beef. Slow cooking makes it beautifully tender and since it's a fatty cut, it won't dry out during prolonged cooking. Cow parts diagram showing where the chuck roast is located.

    Why is it called "pulled?"

    It simply means shredded beef. You pull two forks away from each other, slowly and methodically shredding a cut of tender slow-cooked meat. So the term "pulled" refers to the technique used to shred the meat.

    Can I use store-bought bbq sauce?

    Yes, absolutely. That would obviously be the easiest choice. But do go over the ingredients list and make sure it looks ok - nice and short, and not too much sugar.

    Variations

    As mentioned above, you can use store-bought bbq sauce instead of making the homemade version.

    You can also make this recipe with no bbq sauce at all. In fact, you can use this carnitas recipe with chuck roast, skipping the broiler at the end of cooking, and substituting a cup of beef broth for the orange juice.

    Serving suggestions

    I like to serve this dish on a bed of cauliflower rice with a side of microwave steamed broccoli. The cauliflower rice works really well to soak up the yummy sauce.

    Another great bed for this dish is mashed cauliflower. And you can also serve it on top of raw young spinach leaves. The warm sauce will wilt the spinach just enough to lightly cook it.

    And as mentioned above, in the summer, I prefer to serve this dish in lettuce wraps, as shown in the photos.

    Storing leftovers

    Leftovers keep very well in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Gently reheat them in the microwave, covered, on 50% power, to prevent splatters and also to prevent the meat from drying out. 

    Pulled beef served in lettuce wraps with a napkin.

    Related recipes

    • Keto pot roast served on top of mashed cauliflower.
      Keto Pot Roast
    • Slow cooker goulash served in a white bowl.
      Slow Cooker Goulash
    • Slow cooker carnitas served in a white bowl.
      Slow Cooker Carnitas
    • Slow cooker oxtail stew served in a white dish and garnished with parsley.
      Oxtail Stew

    👩🏻‍🍳 I aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe Card

    Pulled beef served in lettuce cups.
    4.99 from 101 votes
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Print Recipe

    Slow Cooker Pulled Beef

    Slow-cooked in homemade bbq sauce and then shredded, this easy dish of pulled beef is wonderfully flavorful.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time8 hours hrs
    Total Time8 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 263kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 3 lb. beef chuck roast well-trimmed

    Barbecue sauce:

    • 7 oz tomato paste (¾ cup)
    • ¾ cup balsamic vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 2 tablespoons sweetener of choice (I use ½ teaspoon stevia glycerite)

    Instructions

    • Place the meat in your slow cooker pan.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce ingredients.
    • Pour the BBQ sauce over the meat. Use your hands to ensure the meat is well coated.
    • Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 5 hours.
    • Carefully remove the lid (hot steam will escape). Use two forks to shred the meat and mix it with the cooking juices. Serve immediately.

    Video

    Notes

    For the best most tender results, cook the meat on LOW for 8 hours. If you need to cook it for a shorter time, 5 hours on HIGH is acceptable. I tried cooking it on HIGH for 4 hours and it wasn't tender enough to shred - so I do recommend 5 hours.

    Add Your Own Notes

    Click here to add your own private notes. They're only visible to you. If you clear your browser's cache, they'll be lost.

    Nutrition per Serving

    Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 467mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g
    SubscribeI aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.
    Pinterest icon Facebook icon Youtube icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Tiktok icon
    DisclaimersMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

    ❤️ Let's connect! Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter.

    More Meat Recipes

    • Ham steak served with green beans.
      Ham Steak
    • Picanha steak topped with butter.
      Picanha Steak
    • New York strip steak in a cast-iron skillet.
      Perfect New York Strip Steak
    • Pork jowls are served on a white plate with a fork.
      Crispy Pork Jowl

    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
    Each comment is reviewed before being published. We reserve the right to publish, delete, or edit comments.

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Vered DeLeeuw.

    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered DeLeeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


    👩🏻‍🍳 I aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Fall Recipes

    • Roasted pumpkin on a baking sheet.
      Roasted Pumpkin
    • Cabbage casserole served in a white baking dish with a serving spoon.
      Cabbage Casserole
    • Keto pumpkin pie topped with a dollop of whipped cream.
      Keto Pumpkin Pie
    • Moroccan chicken served in a white saucepan.
      Moroccan Chicken
    • Pulled chicken served in a white bowl.
      Pulled Chicken
    • Keto pumpkin bread, sliced, served on a white tray.
      Keto Pumpkin Bread
    • Pumpkin curry soup served in a white bowl.
      Pumpkin Curry Soup
    • Roasted butternut squash served in a white bowl with a napkin.
      Roasted Butternut Squash
    Pinterest icon Facebook icon Youtube icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Tiktok icon

    Popular Recipes

    • Baked chicken breast served on a white plate with a fork.
      How To Bake Chicken Breast
    • Cauliflower pizza crust topped with cheese and pepperoni.
      Cauliflower Pizza Crust
    • Microwave bacon served on paper towels.
      Microwave Bacon
    • Oven-baked pork chops in a cast-iron skillet.
      Oven-Baked Pork Chops
    • Turkey burger in a bun.
      Turkey Burgers
    • Grilled chicken breast, sliced and served on a white plate.
      Grilled Chicken Breast
    • Pork roast, sliced, and served on a white platter with broccoli.
      Easy Boneless Pork Roast
    • Baked chicken wings served on a white plate with a dip.
      Baked Chicken Wings

    Footer

    Media mentions

    Media mentions of Healthy Recipes Blog: logos

    The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.


    By accessing or using this website, you agree to abide by the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.


    Accessibility Statement


    Copyright © 2023