These beer braised beef sandwiches only need about 15 minutes of hands on prepping time, and the result is fall apart tender beef that is perfect for piling on sandwiches.
When you braise beef if a liquid such as beer or wine, the result is extremely tender, flavorful, succulent meat; perfect for piling onto a sandwiches.
You can garnish these sandwiches however you like. One of my favorite ways is with avocado, cabbage and a squeeze of lime.
The flavors come from very basic spices that you probably already have on hand for making chili mix or pulled pork seasoning rub.
You can adjust the brown sugar up or down to your liking to either increase or decrease the sweetness.
Instructions
Start by mixing up a simple spice rub in a bowl.
Taste the beer that you are using, as this can also affect how much brown sugar you actually need to use.
Remove the roast from the fridge 30-60 minutes prior to cooking to allow it to come to an even temperature throughout.
This helps with making sure it cooks evenly also.
Pat it dry on all sides with a paper towel.
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Heat a heavy, large skillet on medium high heat, without adding any oil.
While the skillet heats, prepare a rub by adding the spices into a bowl as shown below and whisking them together until combined (photo 1).
Use your hands to rub the rub into the beef on top, bottom, and every side including the ends (photo 2).
Transfer the rubbed meat to the hot skillet.
Use two heavy forks or a pair of tongs to rotate the roast to each side and end once it has seared and formed a crust as shown above (photo 3).
Don't move it around while it sears on each side, just let the crust form undisturbed. This should take about 3 minutes per side.
Once each side is seared, pour in the beer (photo 4).
Cover loosely with foil or an offset lid, and transfer to the heated oven to braise.
If you have used a skillet that cannot go in the oven, transfer the meat and braising liquid to a Dutch oven, or oven safe skillet.
Every 60-90 minutes, spoon a little of the liquid over the beef, and make sure it's not evaporated.
If it has evaporated too much, add a bit more, just to keep it about an inch or two deep. You don't want the beef completely submerged in liquid.
Depending on the size of the cut of beef you are using, the time to finish cooking in the oven will take between 2 to 4 hours.
You can test it by opening the oven and taking a fork to pull the beef apart. If it falls apart easily, it's done.
Once it's ready, transfer it to a large platter, plate or baking sheet and use two forks pull it apart.
Spoon over extra braising liquid as needed to keep it moist as you work.
Serve
The beef can be piled onto hamburger buns, brioche buns, or French rolls and served as they are, or with a number of toppings such as:
- Classic coleslaw
- Bacon
- Cabbage
- Avocado
- Lime
- Pickled red onion
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📖 Recipe
Beer Braised Pulled Beef Sandwiches
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- 4 lb beef roast shoulder, chuck or similar cut
- 2 ½ cups beer avoid stout or IPA here
For the Rub
- ⅛ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
For Serving
- 8 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat a dry, empty skillet on medium high to high heat.
- Combine rub ingredients in a bowl, mix until blended.
- Rub the spice mix "rub" all over each side of the beef.
- In the dry, hot skillet, sear the beef on each side, so that the spice rub creates a crust. Don't disturb or move the meat as it's searing, this will interfere with a good crust being formed.
- Once the beef is seared on all sides, pour in the beer around, cover loosely with foil or an offset lid, and transfer to the oven. If necessary, transfer the beef to an oven safe skillet or Dutch oven (unless you're using one already).
- Every 60-90 minutes spoon a bit of liquid over the beef, and add additional liquid to maintain 1-2 inches depth if it's evaporating and continue to cook for 2-4 hours until the meat is tender.
- Once the meat can be pulled apart with a fork, remove it to a large platter or baking sheet and start shredding it apart with two forks. Add extra braising liquid as you shred, to keep meat moist.
- Assemble the sandwiches. Top the buns with a pile of the shredded beef.
- Top with additional toppings as desired (see post copy for ideas!).
Notes
- Cayenne pepper is optional and spicy, can omit or cut down.
- Pulled beef will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days.
- To reheat, place shredded beef in the oven at 180 degrees, or microwave on 50% power for 1-3 minutes stirring occasionally.