Introduction

Slow Cooker Cowboy Sandwiches are a hearty, flavorful meal perfect for any day of the week. Tender, slow-cooked beef combined with smoky bacon, tangy BBQ sauce, and melty cheese makes for an unforgettable sandwich experience.

Three sandwiches lie side by side on a metal tray over a white marbled surface. Each sandwich has a soft, light golden-brown bun sliced open to reveal multiple filling layers: a base of dark grilled meat with a shiny glaze, topped with chopped green pickles, thin crispy fried onions, small pieces of pink bacon, and drizzled with a translucent, amber-colored sauce. The fillings look generously packed, with some sauce dripping down the bun edges, showing a mix of different textures like juicy meat, crunchy onions, and crisp pickles. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 pound chuck roast
2 cups BBQ sauce
1 pound bacon (cooked and crumbled)
Half an onion (sliced)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 cloves garlic (minced)
¼ cup brown sugar
4 ounce can diced jalapeños
Sliced Colby Jack cheese
6 buns
Crispy fried onions

Instructions

Step 1: Into the slow cooker, add the chuck roast, BBQ sauce, half of the cooked bacon, sliced onion, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar, and half of the diced jalapeños.
Step 2: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours, until the meat is tender and falls apart easily with a fork.
Step 3: Shred the beef using two forks.
Step 4: Drain most of the liquid from the slow cooker to avoid soggy sandwiches.
Step 5: Assemble your sandwiches by placing a slice of Colby Jack cheese on the bottom bun.
Step 6: Add a generous portion of shredded beef on top of the cheese.
Step 7: Top the beef with the remaining bacon and jalapeños.
Step 8: Sprinkle crispy fried onions over the top for added crunch.
Step 9: Place the top bun on and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

For extra spice, add more diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the shredded beef before assembling the sandwiches.
Swap Colby Jack cheese for cheddar or pepper jack for a different flavor profile.
Use a crusty roll instead of buns for a heartier sandwich texture.
Prepare the bacon and crispy onions ahead of time to save on meal prep.

Storage

Store leftover shredded beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep bacon and crispy onions separate to maintain their texture. Reheat beef gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to prevent drying out. Assemble sandwiches fresh before serving.

How to Serve

Three hot dogs sit side by side in a metal tray on a white marbled surface, each with a soft white bun holding layers of chopped grilled meat, green pickles, crispy fried onion pieces, and small bits of pink bacon. The buns are slightly open, showing the textured meat and topping mix inside. A drizzle of reddish-brown sauce runs over the top of the fillings, adding shine and contrast to the layers. In the background, there is a glimpse of a white bowl with dark red sauce and a red and white checkered cloth. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes, a brisket or a shoulder roast will also work well in this recipe, offering similar tenderness when slow-cooked.

How can I make this recipe spicier?

Increase the amount of diced jalapeños or add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the beef before serving to boost the heat level.

Slow Cooker Cowboy Sandwiches Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 88 reviews

Slow Cooker Cowboy Sandwiches feature tender, flavorful shredded chuck roast cooked low and slow with BBQ sauce, bacon, onions, and jalapenos, topped with melted Colby Jack cheese and crispy fried onions on soft buns. Perfect for a hearty and delicious meal with classic smoky and spicy flavors.

Author: Ruby
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6-8 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 6 sandwiches 1x
Category: Sandwiches
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

3 pound chuck roast
2 cups BBQ sauce
1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
Half an onion, sliced
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup brown sugar
4 ounce can diced jalapenos

For Assembly

Sliced Colby Jack cheese
6 buns
Crispy fried onions

Instructions

Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the chuck roast into the slow cooker. Add 2 cups of BBQ sauce, half of the cooked and crumbled bacon, sliced onion, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar, and half of the diced jalapenos over the meat.
Cook the Roast: Cover and cook on the low setting for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 4 to 6 hours, until the beef is tender and can be easily shredded with a fork.
Shred the Beef: Using two forks, shred the chuck roast inside the slow cooker, mixing it well with the cooking juices.
Drain Excess Liquid: Carefully drain most of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker to avoid soggy sandwiches while keeping some moisture for flavor.
Prepare Sandwich Buns: Lay a slice of Colby Jack cheese on the bottom half of each bun to allow it to melt slightly with the warm beef.
Assemble Sandwiches: Spoon a generous portion of the shredded beef onto each bun, then top with the remaining cooked bacon pieces.
Add Jalapenos and Fried Onions: Distribute the leftover diced jalapenos over the beef and finish each sandwich with a handful of crispy fried onions for added crunch and flavor.
Serve Immediately: Serve the sandwiches warm, allowing the melted cheese and smoky beef to shine through.

Notes

Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker model; check for tenderness before shredding.
For milder sandwiches, reduce or omit jalapenos.
Use your favorite BBQ sauce variety to customize sweetness or smoky flavor levels.
Leftover shredded beef can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for future meals.
Optionally, toast the buns for extra texture and flavor.

Keywords: Slow Cooker Cowboy Sandwiches, shredded beef sandwich, slow cooker recipe, BBQ beef sandwich, cowboy sandwich, chuck roast recipe