BBQ Chuck Steak Bites
Chuck cubes cook in a dry rub and barbecue sauce until the connective tissue lets go. The sauce reduces at the end so it coats each bite.
BBQ Chuck Steak Bites
Course: Main CourseDifficulty: Easy6
servings15
minutes7
hours30
minutesChuck cubes cook in a dry rub and barbecue sauce until the connective tissue lets go. The sauce reduces at the end so it coats each bite.
Ingredients
2 1/2 lb boneless chuck roast, cut into 1 inch cubes
2 tbsp barbecue rub
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp kosher salt
1 large red onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup barbecue sauce
1/2 cup unsalted beef stock
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp tomato paste
Toppings: sliced pickles, coleslaw, soft buns or cooked rice
Directions
- Trim the large pieces of hard fat from the chuck, then cut it into 1 inch cubes.
- Toss the cubes with the rub, smoked paprika and salt until every side is coated.
- Put the onion and garlic in the bottom of a 5 to 6 quart slow cooker.
- Add the beef in an even layer. Chuck cooks more evenly when it is not piled up.
- Whisk the barbecue sauce, stock, vinegar, brown sugar and tomato paste together and pour it over the top.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours.
- At 6 hours on LOW, test a cube with a fork. If it resists, give it another hour and test again.
- Confirm the middle of a cube reads 195 to 205°F on a probe thermometer.
- Take the lid off and cook on HIGH for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring once, until the sauce is thick enough to coat a spoon.
- Serve in buns, over rice or with a side of coleslaw.
Notes
- Thin the sauce with a splash of stock if it reduces too far. These bites freeze well in their sauce for up to 3 months. Stir them into a bun with coleslaw for a quick second dinner.
Why chuck makes the best bites
Chuck has plenty of connective tissue, and that is exactly what you want in small cubes. Over a long cook it melts into the sauce and gives you soft, sticky pieces rather than chewy ones. Cutting the cubes to an even inch matters more than anything else, because small ones fall apart and big ones stay firm in the middle.
The last stretch with the lid off or ajar thickens the sauce so it clings.
Swaps that work
Use a bottled sauce you already like, sweet or smoky. Beef stew meat works if you trim it and cut it to the same size. Skip the lean round steak, which turns dry and grainy at this timing.
Serve them on a bun or a plate
Pile the bites onto soft buns with a little coleslaw, or spoon them over rice or mashed potatoes. A pickle on the side cuts the sweetness.
Freezing and reheating
Cool the bites, then freeze them in a zip bag with plenty of sauce so they do not dry out. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm slowly on the stove with a spoonful of water.
Stir the bites once about halfway through the cook. That coats them evenly and keeps the edges from drying out under the sauce at the top of the pot.
BBQ Chuck Steak Bites at a glance
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 7 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: 6 servings
- Ingredients: 12, led by boneless chuck roast, barbecue rub, smoked paprika, kosher salt
Tips for BBQ Chuck Steak Bites
Thin the sauce with a splash of stock if it reduces too far. These bites freeze well in their sauce for up to 3 months. Stir them into a bun with coleslaw for a quick second dinner.
BBQ Chuck Steak Bites FAQ
How long does BBQ Chuck Steak Bites take?
BBQ Chuck Steak Bites takes 7 hours 30 minutes of cooking after 15 minutes of prep.
How many people does BBQ Chuck Steak Bites serve?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What do I need to make BBQ Chuck Steak Bites?
12 ingredients, led by boneless chuck roast, barbecue rub, smoked paprika, kosher salt. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
Part of: 4 Inspiring Crockpot Steak Bite Ideas
