The Ultimate Homemade Crockpot Beef ‘N Cheddar Sandwiches: Your New Family Favorite
If the mere thought of a classic Roast Beef and Cheddar Sandwich makes your mouth water, prepare to be amazed by these homemade Crockpot Beef ‘N Cheddar Sandwiches. Forget the drive-thru; everything truly is better when made from scratch, and with the magic of a slow cooker, achieving incredibly tender, flavorful roast beef has never been easier or more rewarding. This recipe promises a comforting, satisfying meal that brings restaurant-quality taste right into your kitchen.
Loosely inspired by the iconic Roast Beef ‘N Cheddars from your favorite fast-food joint, these homemade sandwiches elevate the classic to new heights. Each bite features succulent, shredded roast beef, slow-cooked to perfection with a blend of savory spices and your preferred barbecue sauce. This delectable beef is then piled high on toasted onion buns, generously topped with slices of rich, melted cheddar cheese (or a creamy cheese sauce, if you prefer that authentic touch!). A drizzle of extra barbecue sauce and, of course, a dollop of creamy horseradish sauce ties all the flavors together for a truly unforgettable experience.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its sheer simplicity and convenience. You can effortlessly throw all the ingredients for the shredded beef into your slow cooker in the morning before heading out, allowing it to slowly transform into tender, flavorful perfection while you go about your day. By the time you return home, the hard work is done, and all that’s left is a quick assembly. For even greater ease, the shredded beef can be prepared a day or two in advance, making mealtime a breeze. Serve up your incredible Beef ‘N Cheddar Sandwiches with a side of crispy curly fries, a fresh salad, or your favorite potato side for an easy, delicious, and deeply satisfying restaurant classic right in the comfort of your home.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Crockpot Beef ‘N Cheddar Recipe
Beyond its undeniably delicious taste, these homemade beef and cheddar sandwiches offer several compelling reasons to become a staple in your meal rotation:
- Effortless Convenience: The slow cooker does 90% of the work. Just a few minutes of prep in the morning means you come home to a house filled with the aroma of slow-cooked beef and a meal that’s almost ready.
- Unbeatable Flavor & Texture: Achieving incredibly tender, fall-apart roast beef is guaranteed with the long, slow cooking process. The robust blend of spices, beef consommé, and barbecue sauce creates a depth of flavor that’s far superior to store-bought roast beef.
- Family-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: This is a sandwich that appeals to almost everyone! The comforting flavors and easy-to-eat format make it perfect for weeknight dinners, game day snacks, or casual gatherings.
- Cost-Effective: Making your own roast beef sandwiches at home is often much more economical than buying them from a restaurant, especially when feeding a family.
- Customizable: You have full control over the ingredients. Choose your favorite barbecue sauce, adjust the seasoning, and pick the perfect cheese to suit your taste.
Try These Other Delicious Sandwich & Comfort Food Recipes Next:
- Apple and Pecan Chicken Salad
- Homestyle Egg Salad
- Dill Pickle Tuna Salad
- Root Beer Pulled Pork
- Spaghetti Bread Boats
Here’s What You’ll Need to Make Incredible Crockpot Beef and Cheddar Sandwiches:
For the Flavorful Shredded Beef:
- 1 (2.5-3 pound) Chuck Roast: This cut is a star for slow cooking! Its generous marbling and connective tissues break down beautifully over time, resulting in incredibly tender, juicy, and shreddable beef. You could also use a bottom round or rump roast, but chuck roast delivers the best results.
- 2 Teaspoons Onion Powder: Adds a foundational savory depth that enhances the beef’s natural flavor.
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder: A classic companion to beef, providing aromatic richness without the sharpness of fresh garlic.
- 1 Tablespoon Steak Seasoning: This is where you can truly personalize your flavor! Montreal steak seasoning is a fantastic choice for its robust blend of black pepper, garlic, onion, and spices. However, feel free to use your favorite steak seasoning blend. Just ensure it’s not overly salty, as you can always add more salt later.
- 1 (10 ounce) Can Beef Consommé: While this recipe specifically calls for beef consommé, which offers a richer, more concentrated beef flavor and a slightly thicker consistency, you can substitute it with 1 cup of good quality beef broth. If using broth, consider adding an extra splash of Worcestershire or a pinch of umami seasoning to boost the richness.
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce: A secret weapon in many beef recipes! It adds a deep, savory, umami flavor that perfectly complements the roast beef and other seasonings.
- ½ Cup Barbecue Sauce of Choice: When selecting your BBQ sauce, opt for a more classic, balanced flavor profile. A sweet and tangy, or slightly smoky sauce works wonderfully here. Avoid overly spicy or highly unconventional flavors, as they might overpower the beef. This is the base flavor, so choose one you genuinely enjoy!
For Assembling the Irresistible Sandwiches:
- 1 Package Onion Sandwich Buns: The onion bun is key to achieving that signature flavor profile. Its subtle oniony sweetness and soft texture are the perfect vessel for the rich beef. If you can’t find onion buns, brioche buns or even plain toasted hamburger buns can work, though they’ll slightly alter the taste.
- Butter, softened to room temperature: For toasting the buns, adding a delicious golden crisp and buttery flavor.
- 8 Slices Cheddar Cheese or Cheese Sauce (such as Cheez Whiz): Sliced cheddar melts beautifully and offers a sharp, tangy contrast to the beef. For that authentic, creamy fast-food experience, consider using a high-quality cheese sauce like Cheez Whiz, which melts into a wonderfully gooey topping.
- Extra Barbecue Sauce: For serving! Many enjoy adding a little extra tangy sweetness to their sandwich.
- Creamy Horseradish Sauce, optional (but highly recommended!): This is the secret ingredient that truly ties everything together, adding a fantastic zesty kick and cutting through the richness of the beef and cheese. You can buy it pre-made or easily whip up your own with sour cream, prepared horseradish, a dash of vinegar, and salt/pepper.
Easy Step-by-Step Instructions to Create Your Beef ‘N Cheddar Masterpiece:
Step 1: Prep the Roast for Slow Cooking. Place your chuck roast into the bottom of your slow cooker. Season it generously with the onion powder, garlic powder, and steak seasoning, ensuring an even coating. Next, pour in the beef consommé (or broth), Worcestershire sauce, and your chosen ½ cup of barbecue sauce. Give it a gentle stir to combine the liquids and seasonings around the roast. Cover your slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours. The longer, slower cook time is recommended for maximum tenderness and flavor development.
Step 2: Shred the Beef to Perfection. Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the tender roast from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board or large plate. Reserve about half of the cooking liquid (broth) in the slow cooker – this flavorful liquid will keep your shredded beef moist and delicious. Using two forks, easily shred the roast beef into bite-sized pieces, discarding any large pieces of fat or gristle as you go. This should be very easy as the meat will be incredibly tender. Once shredded, return the beef to the slow cooker, stirring it into the reserved broth to ensure it stays juicy and absorbs even more flavor.
Step 3: Toast the Onion Buns. While your beef is ready, turn your oven broiler on to preheat. Lightly butter the cut sides of your onion buns. Place them, buttered side up, on a baking sheet. Broil for just 1-2 minutes, watching them very closely to ensure they turn a light golden brown and become perfectly toasted without burning. This step adds a crucial textural element and prevents the buns from becoming soggy. Remove them from the oven immediately once toasted.
Step 4: Assemble and Melt. Arrange the bottom halves of your toasted buns back on the baking sheet. Generously scoop a portion of the warm, shredded beef onto each bun. If using cheddar slices, place one slice over the beef. If you prefer cheese sauce, drizzle or spoon it over the beef. Return the baking sheet to the broiler for another 1-2 minutes, just long enough for the cheddar to melt into a gooey, irresistible layer, or for the cheese sauce to heat through and become perfectly smooth. Again, keep a close eye to prevent burning.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve. Once the cheese is perfectly melted, carefully remove the buns from the oven. Place the top half of each toasted bun onto its corresponding beef and cheese base. Serve your glorious homemade Crockpot Beef ‘N Cheddar Sandwiches immediately with additional barbecue sauce on the side for dipping, and a generous dollop of creamy horseradish sauce to truly complete the experience. Enjoy the comforting, rich flavors you’ve created!
Expert Tips for Success and Delicious Variations
Make-Ahead & Storage Solutions:
Tips to make ahead of time: The shredded beef is incredibly versatile for meal prepping. You can prepare it a day or two ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before assembling your sandwiches, simply rewarm the beef gently on the stovetop or in the slow cooker on the “warm” setting until heated through. For longer storage, the cooked and shredded beef freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. To freeze, divide the beef into meal-sized portions, place in freezer-safe bags or containers with a little of the cooking liquid, and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Storage for Leftovers: Any leftover shredded beef should be stored separately from the buns and cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It is highly recommended to store the beef and assemble fresh sandwiches as needed rather than storing fully assembled sandwiches. This is because the buns will inevitably become soggy when stored in the fridge or freezer with the moist beef.
Delicious Variations & Customizations:
- Cheese Choices: Experiment with different cheeses! Provolone offers a milder, classic deli sandwich flavor, while Swiss cheese can add a nutty depth. For an extra rich and tangy kick, a sharp white cheddar works wonders.
- Bun Alternatives: If onion buns are hard to find or you prefer something different, try brioche buns for a richer, slightly sweet flavor, or even a good quality pretzel bun for a unique twist.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the slow cooker with the beef, or choose a spicier barbecue sauce. A few slices of pickled jalapeños on top of the finished sandwich can also add a delightful heat.
- Add Toppings: Caramelized onions, crispy fried onions, or even a slice of crispy bacon can take your sandwich to the next level.
- Different Sauces: While BBQ and horseradish are classic, consider a drizzle of spicy mayo or even a tangy mustard for another layer of flavor.
Serving Suggestions for a Complete Meal:
These Crockpot Beef ‘N Cheddar Sandwiches are hearty enough to be a meal on their own, but they pair wonderfully with a variety of sides to create a well-rounded dinner. Classic choices include:
- Crispy Curly Fries or Tater Tots
- Creamy Coleslaw or Potato Salad
- A Simple Green Salad with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness
- Onion Rings or Sweet Potato Fries
- Baked Beans or Corn on the Cob
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Crock Pot Beef ‘N Cheddar Sandwiches
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Ingredients
- 1 2.5-3 pound chuck roast
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon steak seasoning
- 1 10 ounce can beef consommé (or 1 cup beef broth)
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup classic barbecue sauce
For the Sandwiches:
- 1 package onion sandwich buns
- Butter, softened
- 8 slices cheddar cheese or cheese sauce
- Barbecue sauce, for serving
- Creamy Horseradish sauce, optional
Instructions
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Place the chuck roast in your slow cooker. Add onion powder, garlic powder, steak seasoning, beef consommé (or broth), Worcestershire sauce, and ½ cup of barbecue sauce.
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Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
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Carefully remove the roast from the slow cooker and reserve about half of the cooking liquid. Shred the roast using two forks, discarding any excess fat.
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Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker and stir it into the reserved broth to keep it moist and flavorful. Keep warm.
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Preheat your oven broiler. Lightly butter the cut sides of the onion buns and place them buttered-side up on a baking sheet. Broil for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden and toasted. Watch closely to prevent burning, then remove from oven.
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Place the bottom halves of the toasted buns on the baking sheet. Scoop a generous amount of shredded beef onto each bun, then top with a slice of cheddar cheese or a drizzle of cheese sauce.
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Return the baking sheet to the broiler for 1-2 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly or the cheese sauce is heated through.
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Assemble your sandwiches by placing the top buns on. Serve immediately with extra barbecue sauce and creamy horseradish sauce, if desired. Enjoy your delicious homemade Beef ‘N Cheddar!
Notes
Storage for Leftovers: Store leftover shredded beef in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. It’s best to store the beef separately and assemble sandwiches as needed, as fully assembled sandwiches will make the buns soggy in the fridge/freezer.
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