Easy Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Beef Sliders: A Small Batch Recipe for Homemade Comfort

Craving the smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors of barbecue without the hassle of turning on the oven? These small batch Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Sliders are your perfect solution! Featuring tender, fall-apart beef in an easy homemade barbecue sauce, topped with a refreshing coleslaw, they’re designed for simple, satisfying meals.

Navigating life, especially as a freelancer living alone, presents its unique set of challenges. It’s a path often walked by resilient individuals who manage the complexities of their careers and personal lives without the traditional safety nets. While it might not involve the daily care of tiny humans, it brings a different kind of pressure – one where financial stability can fluctuate, and the burden of self-reliance is ever-present.

Imagine the quiet stress when work is scarce, and there’s no secondary income to fall back on. Or the sheer difficulty of simply feeding yourself when sickness strikes, and getting out of bed, let alone driving to the grocery store, feels like an insurmountable task. Even scrambling a few eggs becomes an act of willpower, a small victory against the odds. These are the moments when simple, comforting solutions become essential.

The solo journey also brings a profound awareness of being truly on your own. The realization that an unexpected accident could go unnoticed for days, or the thought of walking alone and wondering how long it would take for someone to notice your absence. These thoughts, while often fleeting, highlight the deep sense of independence and sometimes, the crushing weight of loneliness that can accompany this lifestyle.

Creativity, though a driving force, can also introduce waves of self-doubt when projects stall or inspiration wanes. In these moments, the absence of a built-in support system – a cheering spouse, a comforting friend – is acutely felt. There’s no one readily available to offer a reassuring word or a morale boost. It’s just you, pushing through, finding that inner strength to keep going when every fiber of your being wants to stop.

I face this particular challenge every day. And while I would never diminish the difficulties of other lifestyles – especially those involving children, which bring their own immense responsibilities – my own feelings of isolation and the need for self-sustenance are no less valid. Life demands that we keep moving forward, even when the path is uncertain and the destination unclear.

Sometimes, the biggest accomplishment of the day isn’t a professional win, but simply figuring out what to make for dinner. After a long day spent working, often on your feet, the thought of standing over a hot stove can feel utterly exhausting. This is precisely where the magic of a slow cooker shines.

A slow cooker transforms dinner prep from a chore into a seamless experience. You can toss all your ingredients in early in the day, set the timer, and let it work its magic. By the time your workday is done, the enticing aroma of a home-cooked meal fills the air, and dinner is ready to be served – minimal effort, maximum flavor, and a welcome relief for a tired body and mind. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a moment of self-care, a warm embrace after a demanding day.

These Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Sliders, with their perfect balance of sweet and spicy homemade BBQ sauce, are my latest culinary adventure in slow cooking recipes designed for one or two. They offer all the satisfying flavor of classic barbecue in a manageable portion, making them ideal for smaller households. Much like my popular slow cooker BBQ pulled chicken, this recipe uses tender beef chuck roast to create a wonderfully succulent, shreddable filling that’s packed with flavor.

This recipe yields approximately 8 delicious BBQ sliders or 4 substantial sandwiches, depending on your preferred bun size. This small batch approach is a game-changer, especially for those who want to enjoy comforting meals without being inundated with days of the same leftovers. While a little bit of leftover shredded beef is always welcome for lunch the next day, avoiding an entire week of identical meals is a major perk. Plus, these versatile sliders aren’t just for buns! If you’re looking to switch things up, the BBQ beef is absolutely fantastic served over creamy mashed potatoes, turning it into a hearty and satisfying main course. Imagine it piled high on a bed of creamy garlic mashed potatoes for an ultimate comfort food experience, or even tucked into tortillas for BBQ beef tacos.

One of the most persistent challenges when cooking for one or two people is sourcing protein in appropriate quantities. Many grocery stores primarily stock larger cuts, which can be daunting if you’re cooking for yourself or a small family. This often leads to unnecessary waste or endless leftovers if not managed properly. Luckily, there are excellent strategies to overcome this.

You essentially have two main options for procuring a manageable 1-pound piece of beef chuck roast: either approach your local butcher and request a custom cut, or purchase a larger cut and portion it yourself at home. Building a good relationship with your butcher can be invaluable; they are often happy to accommodate smaller requests. If you opt for the latter, a reliable digital scale becomes your best friend in the kitchen. Simply weigh out your desired 1-pound portion, then securely wrap and freeze the remaining meat for future meals. This method not only saves money in the long run but also ensures you always have perfectly portioned protein ready for your next slow-cooked delight.

Chuck roast is unequivocally the ideal cut of meat for these slow cooker beef sliders, and for good reason. Its inherent toughness, when subjected to the low-and-slow heat of a slow cooker, undergoes a magnificent transformation. Over several hours, the collagen in the meat slowly breaks down, rendering it incredibly tender, juicy, and so easily shreddable that it practically falls apart with just the touch of a fork. This results in a melt-in-your-mouth texture that is simply unparalleled.

When selecting your chuck roast, pay close attention to the marbling – those fine streaks of fat woven throughout the meat. A good amount of marbling is crucial because fat equals flavor. As the beef cooks, this marbling melts, infusing the meat with rich, savory juices and preventing it from drying out. Don’t shy away from a well-marbled piece; it’s the secret to truly flavorful and succulent shredded beef that will make your sliders unforgettable.

While buying protein for one or two can be a puzzle, I must admit, sourcing cabbage for homemade coleslaw can sometimes prove to be an even greater culinary conundrum. When was the last time you spotted a head of cabbage weighing less than a pound? Finding smaller heads can feel like a quest, especially when most recipes call for just a fraction of a large head. But don’t let a leftover half-cabbage deter you from making this fresh, crunchy side!

If you find yourself with an abundance of leftover cabbage, fear not. It’s a remarkably versatile vegetable. Beyond simply making a larger batch of coleslaw (you can always store the dressing separately and mix just before serving to maintain crunch), you can explore a variety of other delicious uses. Make sure you check out my comprehensive post on what to do with leftover cabbage, which features fantastic recipes like savory Haluski (cabbage and noodles) and a vibrant Thai Sweet Chili Shrimp with Cabbage Noodles. And if it happens to be March, celebrating with my stove top corned beef and cabbage for two is always a delicious option.

To elevate these sliders to the next level, I highly recommend finishing them with a bright, tangy topping. A generous spoonful of pickled red onion or a few slices of zesty pickled jalapenos provides a wonderful contrast to the rich, savory beef and creamy coleslaw. The acidity cuts through the richness, adding a burst of flavor and a delightful crunch. For accompanying side dishes, complement your sliders with a refreshing Caesar Pasta Salad or a flavorful Italian Potato Salad for a complete and satisfying meal. These sides are easy to prepare and perfectly round out the barbecue experience.

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Sliders

Yield:
4 servings (8 sliders or 4 sandwiches)

Prep Time:
30 minutes

Cook Time:
8 hours

Cool Time:
15 minutes

Total Time:
8 hours 45 minutes

In the mood for barbecue but don’t want to turn on the oven? These small batch Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Sliders with an easy homemade barbecue sauce and coleslaw will do the trick!

Ingredients

• 1 pound beef chuck roast, patted dry and sprinkled with salt to taste
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons ground chili pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 slider buns
• Pickled red onion, (homemade or store bought), for serving
• Pickled jalapenos (homemade or store bought), for serving

Coleslaw

• 2 cups shredded cabbage (roughly 8 ounces cabbage)
• 1 large carrot, peeled and grated
• 2 tablespoons diced onion
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 teaspoons white distilled vinegar
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Instructions

1. In a 6-quart slow cooker, add the beef.
2. In a large bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, honey, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chili pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
3. Pour the sauce over the beef and evenly spread with a spoon, ensuring the beef is covered.
4. Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours or until the beef is cooked and easily falls apart with a fork.
5. Meanwhile, make the coleslaw: In a medium bowl, combine the cabbage, carrot, and onion. Whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, and sugar then add to the cabbage mixture. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
6. Shred the beef with 2 forks. Stir everything together. Remove the insert from the slow cooker and let cool for 15-30 minutes or until the meat absorbs enough sauce to serve.
7. Serve on slider buns with coleslaw, pickled red onion, and pickled jalapenos.

Notes

The barbecue sauce and coleslaw can be made ahead of time to help with prep the day you add the beef to the slow cooker.

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