If you’re craving a flavorful, hearty sandwich that packs a punch, these BBQ Chipotle Pulled Beef Sandwiches are the ultimate choice! Slow-cooked beef, smoky chipotle heat, and a cool, creamy coleslaw come together to create a sandwich that’s tender, spicy, and absolutely mouthwatering. Whether you’re preparing for a family dinner or a weekend gathering, this dish will surely impress your guests!
Method
Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 170°C (fan-assisted). This ensures that your oven is at the perfect temperature to slowly cook the beef, allowing it to become tender and juicy.
Sear the Beef
Next, heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a large cast iron casserole dish. Once the oil is hot, add the pieces of beef and sear each side until they’re browned and crispy. This step helps lock in all the juices and flavors of the beef. After searing, remove the beef from the casserole dish and set it aside for later.
Cook the Onion
In the same casserole dish, add the chopped onion. Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until it becomes soft and translucent. The caramelized onions will give your beef mixture an extra layer of sweetness and depth.
Season the Beef
Stir in the tomato puree, smoked paprika, chipotle chili flakes, oregano, garlic granules, onion granules, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well to coat the onions and create a flavorful base. The smoky chipotle chili flakes will infuse the dish with a fiery kick that complements the tender beef perfectly.
Add the Stock
Pour in the vegetable stock, making sure to stir well to combine all the ingredients. The stock will form a rich sauce that will help tenderize the beef during its slow cooking. It will also add a savory element to the overall flavor.
Slow Cook the Beef
Add the seared beef back into the casserole dish, placing it into the mixture with the bay leaves. Cover the casserole with a lid, and place it in the preheated oven. Let the beef slow cook for about 2 hours, allowing the meat to become melt-in-your-mouth tender and absorb all the rich flavors of the seasoning and stock.
Make the Coleslaw
While the beef is cooking, you can prepare the coleslaw. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, grated carrot, and thinly sliced shallot. Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, and dried chives, then mix everything together. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This creamy coleslaw will serve as a perfect contrast to the smoky and spicy beef.
Shred the Beef
Once the beef is tender and fully cooked, remove it from the casserole and use two forks to shred the meat into small, bite-sized pieces. The meat should easily pull apart at this stage. After shredding, pour in the BBQ sauce and stir the mixture well, ensuring the beef is fully coated with the flavorful sauce.
Assemble the Sandwiches
Cut the ciabatta rolls in half lengthwise. Begin assembling the sandwiches by loading the bottom half of each roll with a generous amount of the shredded beef mixture. Top the beef with a sprinkle of grated mozzarella cheese. Place the assembled rolls back in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve
Once the cheese has melted and the sandwich is warm and inviting, remove the rolls from the oven. Top the melted cheese with a generous helping of the prepared coleslaw. Place the top half of the roll on top and serve your delicious BBQ Chipotle Pulled Beef Sandwiches hot and ready to enjoy!
Necessary Tools
- Large cast iron casserole dish
- Sharp knife for chopping and slicing
- Mixing bowl for coleslaw
- Baking tray (for the rolls)
BBQ Chipotle Pulled Beef Sandwiches
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes2
hours2
hours15
minutesIngredients
500g mini beef roasting joint, cut into pieces
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 tbsp tomato puree
2 cups hot vegetable stock
2 bay leaves
1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp chipotle chili flakes
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp garlic granules
1 tsp onion granules
1/2 tsp ground cumin
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
60ml BBQ sauce
60g grated mozzarella
4 ciabatta rolls
For the Coleslaw
1/2 small white cabbage, shredded
1 medium carrot, thinly sliced or grated
1 small shallot, thinly sliced
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp sour cream
1 tbsp vinegar
1 tsp dried chives
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions
- Preheat the Oven. Start by preheating your oven to 170°C (fan-assisted).
- Sear the Beef. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large cast iron casserole. Add the beef pieces and sear each side until browned. Once browned, remove the beef and set aside.
- Cook the Onion. In the same casserole, add the chopped onion and cook for about 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Season Stir in the tomato puree, smoked paprika, chipotle chili flakes, oregano, garlic granules, onion granules, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Add the Stock. Pour in the vegetable stock, and mix everything well.
- Slow Cook. Add the seared beef back into the casserole with the bay leaves. Cover the casserole with a lid and slow-cook in the oven for about 2 hours, until the beef is super tender.
- Make the Coleslaw. While the beef is cooking, mix together the coleslaw ingredients in a bowl until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Shred the Beef. Once the beef is tender, remove it from the casserole and shred it using two forks. Add the BBQ sauce to the shredded beef and mix well.
- Assemble the Sandwiches. Cut the ciabatta rolls in half and load the bottom half with the shredded beef. Sprinkle some grated mozzarella cheese on top, then place the rolls in the oven until the cheese melts.
- Serve the melted cheese with the prepared coleslaw, cover with the top half of the rolls, and enjoy!
Notes
- Beef Sealing Be sure to sear the beef well before slow-cooking; it helps lock in all those juicy flavors.
- Bay Leaves Don’t forget to remove the bay leaves after cooking, as they aren’t meant to be eaten.
- Cheese Melting Watch the ciabatta rolls carefully in the oven to avoid over-melting the cheese.
Serving Suggestions
These sandwiches are best served with crispy potato wedges or a side of pickles to add a bit of crunch. You could even pair them with a cold, refreshing iced tea or lemonade for the perfect meal!
Fun Fact
Did you know that chipotle comes from a smoked, dried jalapeño pepper? It’s not only flavorful but adds a rich, smoky heat to any dish. It’s a staple in Mexican cooking and brings a fiery kick to these pulled beef sandwiches!
Conclusion
These BBQ Chipotle Pulled Beef Sandwiches are a delightful mix of smoky, savory, and spicy, topped off with a creamy coleslaw. With the tender beef, oozy mozzarella, and crisp ciabatta rolls, they make for the perfect meal whether you’re hosting a barbecue or just enjoying a cozy dinner at home. Try making them this weekend, and watch how quickly they disappear from the plate!
