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Looking for the a quick, delicious dinner that is always a family favorite?  This Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Shredded Beef is going to be your new favorite.

This Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Shredded Beef is such a flavorful and easy dish that is family friendly!  Beef roast slow cooks in spices, Dr. Pepper and bbq sauce before getting shredded up and piled high on fluffy buns.  This one is always a crowd pleaser!

If you’ve been here a while, you know I’m a sucker for anything that simmers away all day in the slow cooker and makes the house smell amazing.

This Dr. Pepper shredded beef is one of those recipes I go back to again and again, especially when we’ve got a busy week and I need dinner to basically cook itself. It’s one I also really turn to in the summer.

Now I know, I know Dr. Pepper in shredded beef? It sounds a little crazy. But trust me on this one. Something delicious happens when that rich, slightly spicy soda slow cooks with the beef.  The soda breaks everything down into this tender, flavorful meat that just falls apart when you touch it.  It just melts in your mouth.

I add in a little seasoning to get the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a dinner the whole family asks for. 

Let me know if you try this Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Shredded Beef.  I’d love to hear how you served it up! If your family’s anything like mine, you might want to go ahead and make a double batch, this always disappears fast around here.

Why This Recipe Works

•  It’s ridiculously easy: Throw it all in the slow cooker and walk away.
• It’s super versatile: Pile it onto buns for sandwiches, serve it over mashed potatoes, stuff it into tacos, however your family likes it. 
• Perfect make ahead meal: The leftovers are even better the next day (and they freeze like a dream!).

Substitutions:

You can substitue the beef for a pork roast or boneless skinless chicken thighs.  Both of these meats are a great substitute for the beef and taste just as great! 

You can also substitute the soda.  While the Dr. Pepper has great depth of flavor you can use any dark soda you have on hand like root beer, cherry cola or regular cola. 

Serving Suggestions:

This one’s has quickly become a family favorite around here. My husband requests it when the guys come over, and the kids love it on slider buns with melty cheese.  The slider buns make it more manageable for them. 

I usually serve it up with coleslaw or potato salad if we’re doing sandwiches, or I’ll do roasted green beans and mac and cheese for a cozier meal.

Some of our favorite slow cooker recipes we love: Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Meatballs, Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Sloppy Joes, Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Ribs.

You will want to make this delicious easy slow cooker dinner again and again! We do!

Frequently Asked Questions About This Recipe:

 

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes! I love using chuck roast because it gets super tender, but you can also use a brisket or even a bottom round roast. Just make sure it’s a cut that does well with low and slow cooking.

Does it have to be Dr. Pepper, or can I use another soda?

Dr. Pepper adds a really unique depth of flavor, but if you don’t have it on hand, you can try root beer or Coke in a pinch. Just steer clear of diet sodas—those artificial sweeteners don’t cook down well and can leave a weird aftertaste.

Is this recipe spicy?

Nope! It’s sweet and savory with a little zip from the Dr. Pepper and seasonings, but it’s not spicy at all. If you want to kick it up, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely. I actually think it tastes even better the next day once the flavors have time to hang out. Just store it in the fridge and reheat on low when you’re ready to serve.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

Yes! This freezes beautifully. Let the meat cool completely, then pack it into freezer bags or containers with some of the cooking liquid to keep it juicy. It’ll keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.

What’s the best way to serve it?

We love it on toasted buns with melty cheese and maybe a little coleslaw on top. But it’s also great in tacos, over baked potatoes, and it makes killer nachos!

Ingredients used for this sausage recipe:

• Onion- This adds great flavor and cooks down perfectly with the beef.  If you have super picky eaters you can leave this out or chop it up fine and it will just melt into the beef. 
• Chuck roast-  I like to use a 3-4 pound roast for this recipe. 
• Onion powder- This adds great flavor.
• Garlic salt-  For flavor and salt.  
• Smoked paprika-  This adds smokiness to the dish which really goes well with the bbq sauce.
• Black pepper-  For just a bit of heat. 
• Garlic-  I like to use the stuff in the jar but feel free to use fresh. 
• Worcestershire sauce-  Adds richness and depth to the sauce. 
• Dr. Pepper-  The star of the show!! It has all the flavor you need!
• Barbecue sauce-  Use your favorite!  I like to use honey bbq sauce to add more sweetness but you can use a spicy bbq sauce if you like. 

How to make shredded beef in a slow cooker:

1. To the bottom of your slow cooker add the sliced onions.
2. Place your chuck roast on top.
3. Sprinkle the roast with the onion powder, garlic salt, smoked paprika, black pepper and garlic.
4. Mix together the Worcestershire sauce, Dr. Pepper and bbq sauce.
5. Pour the sauce over the roast.
6. Slow cook for 8 hours on low or 6 hours on high until tender.
7. Shred with 2 forks.
8. Top with more bbq sauce if desired.
9. Serve!

How To Store:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

 

Did you make this SLOW COOKER DR. PEPPER SHREDDED BEEF, tell me how you liked it in the comments! For more delicious family friendly recipes you can follow me on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK 

Want more beef recipes? Check these out!

• Slow Cooker Korean Beef Sloppy Joes
• Copycat Arbys Beef & Cheddars
• Slow Cooker Mississippi Beef Stew
• Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff Soup
• Slow Cooker Roast Beef Po Boys
• Guinness Beef Stew