Slow Cooker Beef on a Bun

If there are any guarantees in life, aside from death and taxes, it's that if you end up at any kind of event around Stampede time in Calgary, you'll be served Beef on a Bun. And this is a good thing! However, when I first moved to Calgary (25+years ago) I really didn't have a true appreciation for it. But let me tell you, it grows on you... to the point that eventually you can't live without it. Given the absence of Stampede events the past couple of years, this year I decided that I needed to make my own Slow Cooker Beef on a Bun.

I LOVE slow cooker recipes (check out all my other slow cooker recipes HERE! ) especially ones like this slow cooker bbq beef, where you can dump and go or set it and forget it! It takes about 10 minutes to put together and you just let the slow cooker do all the work! It's also WW friendly.

Although almost every BBQ beef on a bun I've tried in Calgary is a little different; some roast and shave the beef and some use a slow cooker (as I have) it's all delicious!

🥘 Ingredients

• beef 
• buns
• BBQ sauce (I use President’s Choice Gourmet) but you could use any including my Bbq Sauce with ketchup
• onion
• chili sauce *I use Heinz
• brown sugar
• white vinegar
• mustard
• Worcestershire sauce
• minced garlic
• chili powder
• salt
• liquid smoke

📖 Variations & Substitutions

• buns: you can use my Dinner buns (Granny Buns) recipe or use any type of bun (hamburger, Kaiser etc) * I use hamburger buns OR make it WW friendly with a thin bun
• beef: round roast, chuck roast or sirloin tip- Use any economical beef roast 
• chili sauce: * I use Heinz Chili Sauce (affiliate link) but you could substitute ketchup and 1 teaspoon extra chili powder
• wine vinegar - use apple cider vinegar or regular vinegar with a splash (about a 2 tsp) of white wine (if you have it) in place of wine vinegar
• brown sugar - use white sugar and add 1 teaspoon molasses
• liquid smoke optional: leave out liquid smoke (affiliate link)  if you don't have it  (but I do recommend it - it makes a huge difference and you can find it at almost any grocery store
• Toppings: jalapenos, pepperoncini or pickles and some people put the coleslaw right on top (I personally love to do that)

🥗 Side dishes

Traditionally, beef on a bun is served with coleslaw and beans. It even feels weird to even suggest anything else, so here are a couple of coleslaw recipes and another side I think would pair well with this dish:

• Slow Cooker New England Baked Beans
• Healthy Artichoke & Roasted Red Pepper Coleslaw   (this is the coleslaw recipe I use, but I leave out the artichoke and red peppers for this recipe)
• Skinny Coleslaw Recipe
• Quick Cucumber Kimchi

🎥 Video

Using a stand mixer to shred or 'pull'' your beef is a game changer - it's so much quicker! You could even use a hand mixer if you don't have a stand mixer (I have done this as well.)

Video: Shredding Beef in a Stand Mixer

👪 Serving size

This recipe serves A LOT of people! So if you are making it for a crowd, then make the amount directed. However, if you are making it for a smaller group, you can reduce the servings. Simply click on the blue serving size, select the number of servings you need and the amounts will adjust accordingly!

And if you're looking for an even quicker recipe, try my shortcut version (Speedy Beef on a Bun!) And for even more Stampede recipes, be sure to try my other recipes at the bottom of the recipe card!

🌡️Storing

Make up to 2 days in advance and store in fridge for up to 3 days after making.

💭Leftover Shredded Beef

Stampede is on this year, albeit a scaled down version with a few more restrictions. But whether you're heading out to celebrate Stampede or not, it's that time of year you're probably going to find yourself craving Beef on a Bun! Oh I can guarantee you one more thing in life - this recipe will definitely satisfy that craving. 

Happy Stampeding!

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5 from 5 votes

📋 Slow Cooker Beef on a Bun Recipe

This Slow Cooker Beef on a Bun is easy to make with bbq sauce, using an economical cut of meat (round roast, chuck roast, or sirloin roast). It's perfect for any backyard BBQ, potluck or feeding a crowd!

Course dinner, lunch, main

Cuisine American, Canadian, North American

Keyword bbq, beef on a bun, slow cooker, Stampede

Prep Time 10 minutes

8 hours

Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes

Servings 20 servings

Calories 379kcal

Author Terri Gilson

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 5 lbs beef - chuck roast round roast,
• 1 - medium yellow onion finely diced
• 1 cup -barbecue sauce- I use president's choice gourmet
• ½ cup chili sauce * I use Heinz
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoon -minced garlic
• 2 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
• 20 buns

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Spray inside of slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray and place meat on bottom.
  
• Whisk remaining ingredients together in separate bowl.
  
• Pour over meat.
  
• Cook on low for 8 hours, or high for 4-6 hours until beef is tender.
  
• Remove beef from slow cooker and shred beef with two forks; or use mixer (see VIDEO in notes)
  
• Return beef to the slow cooker. Stir to combine with sauce, then skim fat from cooking liquid. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until heated through.
  
• Using a slotted spoon, remove from slow cooker.
  
• Place meat on each bun.
  
• Then top with onions, pickles pepperoncini or jalapenos and/or coleslaw, if desired.
  

Notes

💭 Top tip

Weight Watchers: This recipe is 11 WW points IF you use all the sauce (which you don't) and a hamburger bun. I would calculate 8 points for a thin bun. 

📖 Variations & Substitutions

• buns: you can use my Dinner buns (Granny Buns) recipe or use any type of bun (hamburger, Kaiser etc) * I use hamburger buns
• beef: round roast, chuck roast or sirloin tip- Any economical cut of meat
• chili sauce: * I use Heinz Chili Sauce (affiliate link) but you could substitute ketchup and 1 teaspoon extra chili powder
• wine vinegar - use apple cider vinegar or regular vinegar with a splash (about a 2 tsp) of white wine (if you have it)
• brown sugar - use white sugar and add 1 teaspoon molasses
• liquid smoke (optional): leave out liquid smoke (affiliate link) if you don't have it. Although, I do recommend it - it makes a big difference! You can find it at almost any grocery store or on Amazon.
• Toppings: jalapenos or pickles and some people put the coleslaw right on top

🎥 Video

Using a stand mixer to shred or 'pull'' your beef  is a game changer- it's so much quicker! You could even use a hand mixer if you don't have a stand mixer (I have done this as well)

Video: Shredding Beef in a Stand Mixer

🌡️Storing

Store in fridge for up to 3 days after making.

Nutrition Facts

📋 Slow Cooker Beef on a Bun Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 sandwich)

Calories 379 Calories from Fat 144

% Daily Value*

Fat 16g25%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 8g

Cholesterol 78mg26%

Sodium 672mg29%

Potassium 534mg15%

Carbohydrates 34g11%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 26g52%

Vitamin A 139IU3%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 76mg8%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 379kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 672mg | Potassium: 534mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 139IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 4mg

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• Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe (with whiskey)
• No Churn Butterbeer Ice Cream
• Tacos in a Bag
• Dill Pickle Pizza
• Pork & Beef Stovetop Chili