Description
Hearty slow cooker cowboy sandwiches combine tender beef, tangy barbecue sauce, and melted cheese for a robust western-style meal. Rustic flavors and simple preparation make this sandwich a crowd-pleasing dinner perfect for hungry diners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef
- 0.5 pound (227 grams) bacon, cooked and crumbled
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Liquids and Binders:
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) beef broth
Sandwich Components:
- 8 sandwich buns
- Sliced cheddar cheese
- Pickles (optional)
- Crispy onions (optional)
- Jalapenos (optional)
Instructions
- Crisp bacon in a skillet until golden and fragrant, then crumble into small pieces.
- Brown ground beef in the same skillet, carefully draining excess fat to ensure a lean mixture.
- Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in the skillet until translucent and aromatic, releasing their natural flavors.
- Transfer the seasoned beef mixture to the slow cooker, incorporating barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper for a rich, complex flavor profile.
- Cover and slow cook on low temperature for 4-6 hours, allowing the meat to become tender and absorb the spices, or use high setting for 2-3 hours if time is limited.
- Lightly toast sandwich buns until golden and crisp around the edges, creating a sturdy base for the savory filling.
- Generously pile the slow-cooked beef mixture onto the toasted buns, ensuring an even distribution of meat.
- Layer cheddar cheese slices on top, allowing them to slightly melt from the warmth of the meat.
- Customize with optional garnishes like tangy pickles, crispy fried onions, or spicy jalapeños for added texture and flavor.
- Serve immediately while warm, with the crumbled bacon sprinkled over the top for a final crunchy touch.
Notes
- Choose thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crispiness, ensuring it crumbles easily.
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a cleaner, more concentrated meat mixture.
- Select a robust barbecue sauce with smoky undertones to enhance the cowboy-style profile of the sandwich.
- Consider gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps for those with dietary restrictions, maintaining the recipe’s hearty essence.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (on Low) or 3 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 570 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg