Sometimes, you just need a truly satisfying meal that brings comfort. Today, I’m sharing two delicious recipes for pulled meat sandwiches: a hearty Pulled Beef Sandwich and classic Pulled Pork Sandwiches. Both are simple to prepare and wonderful for sharing with others or enjoying as a family meal.
I know you’ll appreciate how straightforward these recipes are. They are perfect for slow cooking, making your kitchen smell amazing, and leaving you with tender meat that falls apart with just a fork. Let’s get cooking!
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Perfect Pulled Beef Sandwich Recipe
This Pulled Beef Sandwich is incredibly tender and full of flavor. It’s a fantastic choice for a comforting meal that requires minimal hands-on time.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Pulled Beef
- Beef Chuck Roast: This cut is best for pulled beef. It has fat that makes the meat very tender when cooked slowly.
- Low & Slow Cooking: The secret to fall-apart beef is cooking it for many hours on a low temperature. Don’t rush this step.
- Your Favorite BBQ Sauce: The flavor of your sandwich depends a lot on the BBQ sauce. Choose one you really enjoy eating.
What You Need for Pulled Beef
- 3-4 lb beef chuck roast
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup BBQ sauce, plus more for serving
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Hamburger buns, for serving
- Optional: Coleslaw for topping
⏱️ Time: 8 hours (slow cooker)🍽️ Yields: 6-8 sandwiches
How to Make Pulled Beef
Step 1: Prep the Roast
Pat the beef chuck roast dry with paper towels. Season it well on all sides with salt and black pepper. This step helps build a good flavor base.
Step 2: Slow Cook the Beef
Place the sliced onion and minced garlic at the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the seasoned beef roast on top. Pour in the beef broth. Cook on the LOW setting for 8 hours, or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the beef is very tender and easily shreds.
Step 3: Shred and Sauce
Carefully remove the cooked beef from the slow cooker and place it in a large bowl. Use two forks to shred the beef into small pieces. Discard any large pieces of fat. Stir in 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce until the beef is well coated. Serve hot on hamburger buns, perhaps with a side of coleslaw.
📝 Final Note for Pulled Beef
This pulled beef tastes even better the next day! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently.
Classic Pulled Pork Sandwiches Recipe
You can’t go wrong with classic Pulled Pork Sandwiches. This recipe gives you juicy, tender pork, perfect for piling high on soft buns. It’s a crowd-pleaser for sure.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Pulled Pork
- Pork Shoulder (Boston Butt): This is the ideal cut for pulled pork. Its marbling helps keep the meat moist and tender during long cooking times.
- Dry Rub Magic: A flavorful dry rub applied before cooking adds a deep layer of spice and sweetness to the pork. Don’t skip it!
- Tang from Vinegar: A small amount of apple cider vinegar helps to brighten the rich pork flavor and contributes to its tender texture.
What You Need for Pulled Pork
- 4-5 lb boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup BBQ sauce, plus more for serving
- Potato buns, for serving
⏱️ Time: 6-8 hours (oven or slow cooker)🍽️ Yields: 8-10 sandwiches
How to Make Pulled Pork
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Rub
In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels, then rub the spice mixture all over the pork, making sure it’s fully coated.
Step 2: Cook the Pork
Place the rubbed pork shoulder into a large oven-safe pot with a lid (like a Dutch oven) or your slow cooker. Pour the apple cider vinegar around the pork. If using an oven, cover and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 6-8 hours. If using a slow cooker, cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the pork is extremely tender.
Step 3: Shred and Serve
Carefully remove the pork from the pot or slow cooker and place it on a cutting board or large bowl. Use two forks to shred the pork into desired pieces, discarding any excess fat. Stir in 1 cup of your preferred BBQ sauce until the pork is well coated. Serve warm on potato buns, adding more BBQ sauce if you like.
📝 Final Note for Pulled Pork
For even deeper flavor, let the pork marinate with the dry rub in the fridge overnight before cooking. This simple step makes a big difference!
