Slow Cooker Chuck Roast With BBQ Sauce

Name: Slow Cooker Chuck Roast With BBQ Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 300 min
Total time: 335 min
Ingredients: 3 pounds beef chuck roast; 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing); 1 tablespoon smoked paprika; 1 tablespoon taco seasoning; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon fine salt; ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional); 1½ cups tomato sauce; ¼ cup pure maple syrup; 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 1½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon ground cumin; ¼ teaspoon black pepper

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This Slow Cooker Chuck Roast with homemade, naturally sweetened BBQ sauce is tender, hearty, and comforting. The crockpot makes it easy to achieve that perfect, fall-apart beef texture. Serve over mashed potatoes or pile into soft rolls for a delicious, unforgettable dinner.

A slow cooker filled with shredded beef chuck roast.

You know those days when everyone keeps asking what’s for dinner, but you barely have time to think about it? This slow cooker chuck roast is made for those days. With five kids, I love a meal I can start early and forget about until dinner.

The chuck roast cooks low and slow in a maple BBQ sauce until it is so tender it practically falls apart. By the time everyone is hungry, dinner is ready, and I look far more organized than I actually was that day!

Recipe Overview

Skill Level

Beginner

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

5 hrs

A Few Key Ingredients

Below are the key ingredients you’ll need to make Slow Cooker Chuck Roast. You’ll find the full quantities in the recipe card further down the post.

ingredients to make slow cooker chuck roast.

Beef chuck roast: A cut of beef that has a high collagen content and lots of marbled fat. This makes it great for slow cooking, since there is plenty of time for the collagen and fat to break down, giving you tender, pull-apart meat. I used boneless chuck here, but bone-in chuck (or even a brisket) will also work well.

Smoky spice rub: I make a homemade spice rub mainly based on smoked paprika and taco seasoning. Use your favorite seasoning or use homemade taco seasoning instead. This soaks into the meat as it cooks, giving it a deliciously flavorful crust.

Tomato Sauce: A smooth tomato puree adds body to the homemade BBQ sauce. If you only have canned diced or whole tomatoes, blend them up first before using.

Maple syrup: Naturally sweetens the BBQ sauce. Honey, agave syrup, or light brown sugar all work well as substitutes.

Apple cider vinegar: Brings a tart flavor to balance the sweetness of the BBQ sauce. You can use malt vinegar, lemon juice, or white wine vinegar instead.

Worcestershire sauce: Adds savory depth. You can swap it for tamari, coconut aminos, or soy sauce if you prefer.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chuck Roast

Step 1. Pat the meat very dry with paper towels.

Step 2. In a small bowl, mix the smoked paprika, taco seasoning, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using).

Step 3. Rub the seasoning mixture generously over all sides of the chuck, pressing it into the meat.

Step 4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chuck and sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until a deep brown crust develops.

process shot of seasoning the chuck roast and then searing in pan.

Step 5. Transfer the chuck to the slow cooker.

Step 6. In a bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic, onion powder, cumin, and black pepper.

Step 7. Pour about two-thirds of the BBQ sauce over the meat. Spoon the remaining sauce over the top.

Step 8. Cover and cook on LOW for 7- 8 hours or on HIGH for 4- 5 hours, until the chuck is very tender and pulls apart easily with a fork.

process shot of pouring the sauce over chuck roast in the slow cooker, and then shredding it.

Step 9. Carefully transfer the chuck to a cutting board and loosely cover it with foil. Let it rest for 15 minutes.

Step 10. Meanwhile, pour the cooking liquid and BBQ sauce from the slow cooker into a saucepan. Skim excess fat from the surface.

Step 11. Simmer the sauce over medium heat for 8-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced to a thick, glossy BBQ sauce.

Step 12. Taste and add another tablespoon of apple cider vinegar if the sauce needs more acidity.

Step 13. Slice the chuck against the grain for tender slices, or shred it with two forks for pulled BBQ chuck roast.

Step 14. Spoon the reduced BBQ sauce generously over the meat before serving.

What to Serve with Chuck Roast

Serve slices or shredded meat in soft rolls with Homemade Coleslaw.
Spoon over creamy Mashed Potatoes (or Mashed Cauliflower for a lower-carb option).
Add a side of Mac and Cheese for the ultimate indulgence.
Roast up some Crispy Smashed Potatoes to soak up the sauce.
Add veggies with my Roasted Honey Carrots or Air-Fried Broccoli.
Use as a filling in soft-shell tacos, topped with a fresh Corn Salsa.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Store cooled meat and BBQ sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Alternatively, freeze for up to 3 months (thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating).

Reheating: Warm the meat and sauce in a pot or skillet over a medium-low heat with a splash of water, stirring often, until heated through. You can also microwave it in a covered bowl with a splash of water until piping hot.

Chipotle-spiced variation: Blend a couple of chipotles in adobo into the BBQ sauce before adding to the crockpot.

Gluten-free: Use a certified gluten-free Worcestershire sauce or gluten-free tamari. Make sure the taco seasoning and mustard you use are gluten-free.

A white bowl of mashed potatoes topped with BBQ slow cooker chuck roast.

Questions I Get Asked a Lot

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can either set your crockpot so the meat is done when you need it, or let the meat cool, then store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Does chuck roast need liquid in a slow cooker?

No, the meat contains plenty of natural juices, and the slow cooker lid helps trap them. I like to add some broth or BBQ sauce, as it’s a convenient way to create a flavorful sauce as the beef cooks.

Can you overcook chuck roast in a slow cooker?

Yes, if you leave the meat to cook in the slow cooker after it reaches that ‘fall-apart’ texture, it can start to dry out.

Can I make it in the oven instead?

Yes. Brown the meat in a large Dutch oven, add the BBQ sauce, cover, and bake at 300°F for about 4 hours.

Why is the meat tough?

This usually means it hasn’t cooked long enough. The meat will be tough and hard to shred if its internal temperature is under 200°F, so return it to the crockpot and cook until it shreds easily.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

Thanks so much for being here and cooking along with me. If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment and a ⭐️ rating below.