Description
This Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Beef recipe offers tender, flavorful beef cooked low and slow with a comforting blend of apple cider, cinnamon, and spices. Perfect for an easy, mouth-watering meal that’s great for feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Seasonings
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Liquids and Flavorings
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Trim excess fat from the beef chuck roast and cut it into large chunks. Season the beef generously with salt and pepper to enhance its flavor before cooking.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the seasoned beef chunks into the slow cooker. Add the sliced onions, minced garlic, apple cider, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and ground cinnamon over the beef to create a rich and aromatic cooking liquid.
- Cook Slowly: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the beef on low for 8 hours, or if in a hurry, on high for 4 hours. Cook until the beef is extremely tender and can be easily shredded with forks.
- Shred the Beef and Mix: Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker to soak up the flavorful juices before serving. This ensures the pulled beef remains moist and infuses every bite with the delicious cider-based sauce.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can brown the beef chunks in a hot skillet before placing them in the slow cooker.
- Leftover pulled beef is great for sandwiches, tacos, or serving over mashed potatoes.
- Adjust the cinnamon and brown sugar quantities for a sweeter or spicier profile based on your preference.
- Use low-sodium apple cider or adjust salt accordingly to control sodium levels.
