This is the dinner you throw together in five minutes and forget about. Everything goes into the slow cooker in one go, no browning and no fuss, and ten hours later you have sweet, tangy pulled beef that shreds with two forks.
The mix of crushed tomatoes, balsamic and dates gives it a rich, almost barbecue flavour without a long list of ingredients. Pile it onto rolls, stuff it into tacos, or serve it over a fresh salad.
It is one of those recipes that makes the house smell amazing all day and feeds a crowd for very little effort.
Why You’ll Love It
It is a true dump and go, everything into the slow cooker, one stir, lid on, walk away, so it suits a busy day. The beef turns fall apart tender and the sauce cooks down sweet and tangy on its own. It feeds six and works loads of ways, on rolls, in tacos or over salad, and the leftovers are just as good, so it is great for getting ahead.
The Shortcut That Makes It Work
There is no browning and no building a sauce here. You put the beef and every other ingredient straight into the slow cooker, give it one stir, and let ten hours do the work. The crushed tomatoes, balsamic and dates break down into a rich sauce all by themselves, so a five minute start turns into a full flavoured dinner.
Handy Tips
Give it the full ten hours on low, that is what lets the beef relax into those soft, shreddable strands, so do not rush it. Shred it right in the sauce so it soaks everything back up, and if the sauce is thinner than you like, lift the lid for the last stretch to let it reduce. The dates melt down and sweeten the sauce naturally, but brown sugar does the same job if that is what you have.
What To Serve With It
Soft rolls or burger buns are the classic, with coleslaw for crunch. It is also brilliant in tacos or wraps, over rice, or piled onto a fresh green salad for something lighter.
Leftovers / How to Store It
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the sauce. It also makes great lunches, warmed through and piled into a roll or wrap.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this Slow Cooked Pulled Beef, here are a few more ideas to add to your rotation:
Slow Cooked Pulled Beef
Prep Time 5 minutes 
Cook Time
10 hours 
Total Time 10 hours 5 minutes 
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pop everything into your slow cooker, give it a little stir
- Cook on low for 10 hours.
- Pull apart with 2 folks to shred it.
- Pile it on soft rolls, stuff it in tacos, or serve with a fresh salad for a winning dinner. Your kitchen is going to smell amazing, I promise!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
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FAQs
Can I use brown sugar instead of dates?
Yes. Use ½ cup brown sugar in place of the dates. The dates melt down and sweeten the sauce naturally, but brown sugar gives a similar sweet, tangy result.
What cut of beef is best?
Chuck steak is ideal because it becomes lovely and tender over a long, slow cook. Other slow cooking cuts like brisket also work well.
Can I cook it on high instead?
You can, though low and slow gives the most tender result. On high it will be ready sooner, so check that it shreds easily before serving.
What do you serve pulled beef with?
It is great on soft rolls with coleslaw, in tacos or wraps, over rice, or piled onto a fresh salad for something lighter.
Fantastic easy and tasty