Description

Want a sandwich that’s bursting with smoky, spicy flavor and tender, juicy beef? Chipotle Beef Sandwiches are the perfect recipe! This slow-cooker dish transforms a beef sirloin tip roast into melt-in-your-mouth shredded meat, infused with chipotle salsa, beer, and savory onion soup mix, all piled high on kaiser rolls

Ingredients

Scale

This recipe makes 10 sandwiches (serves 8-10) and uses simple ingredients for a flavorful dish. Here’s what you’ll need for the original (1x) recipe:

For the Beef:
- 1 large sweet onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 beef sirloin tip roast (3 pounds)
- 1 jar (16 ounces) chipotle salsa
- 1/2 cup beer or nonalcoholic beer
- 1 envelope Lipton beefy onion soup mix
For Assembly:
- 10 kaiser rolls, split

Why These Ingredients Matter

Sweet Onion: Adds caramelized sweetness and texture to the sauce.
Beef Sirloin Tip Roast: A lean, tender cut that shreds beautifully after slow cooking.
Chipotle Salsa: Provides smoky, spicy flavor with chipotle peppers in adobo.
Beer: Enhances depth and tenderizes the beef; nonalcoholic beer works just as well.
Beefy Onion Soup Mix: Brings savory, oniony richness to the dish.
Kaiser Rolls: Sturdy, crusty rolls that hold the juicy beef without falling apart.

Substitutions and Variations

Onion: Swap with yellow or white onion for a less sweet flavor.
Beef: Use chuck roast or rump roast (may need fat trimmed) or 2 pounds beef brisket (cook 8-9 hours).
Chipotle Salsa: Replace with regular salsa plus 1-2 teaspoons chipotle hot sauce or 1 tablespoon diced chipotle in adobo.
Beer: Substitute with beef broth, chicken broth, or cola for a different depth.
Soup Mix: Use 1/4 cup dried onion flakes plus 1 teaspoon beef bouillon or a homemade onion soup mix.
Kaiser Rolls: Swap with hamburger buns, brioche rolls, or gluten-free buns.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free soup mix (or homemade) and gluten-free rolls; check salsa for additives.
Lower Heat: Use mild salsa and add 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika for smokiness without spice.
Extra Veggies: Add 1 cup sliced bell peppers or mushrooms with the onions.

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Instructions

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Halve and thinly slice 1 large sweet onion.
Cut 1 beef sirloin tip roast (3 pounds) in half for easier cooking.
Measure 1 jar (16 ounces) chipotle salsa, 1/2 cup beer (or nonalcoholic beer), and open 1 envelope Lipton beefy onion soup mix.
Split 10 kaiser rolls (or have them ready for serving).

Tip: Halving the roast ensures even cooking and easier shredding.

Step 2: Assemble in Slow Cooker

Layer Onions: Place sliced onions in the bottom of a 5-quart slow cooker.
Add Beef: Place beef halves over the onions.
Mix Sauce: In a small bowl, combine 1 jar chipotle salsa, 1/2 cup beer, and 1 envelope beefy onion soup mix. Stir until blended.
Pour Over Beef: Pour the sauce mixture over the beef and onions, ensuring the meat is coated.

Tip: No need to brown the beef; the slow cooker and bold sauce create plenty of flavor.

Step 3: Cook

Cook on Low: Cover and cook on Low for 7-8 hours, until the beef is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork (internal temperature of at least 195°F/90°C for shredding).

Tip: Check at 7 hours; some slow cookers may cook faster. The beef should shred effortlessly.

Step 4: Shred and Heat

Remove Beef: Transfer beef to a large cutting board.
Shred: Shred beef with two forks into bite-sized pieces.
Return to Slow Cooker: Return shredded beef to the slow cooker and stir to coat with the sauce and onions.
Heat Through: Keep on Low or Warm for 5-10 minutes to ensure the beef absorbs the sauce.

Tip: Shred finely for a uniform texture or leave some larger chunks for a heartier bite.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve

Prepare Rolls: If desired, toast kaiser rolls lightly in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes or on a skillet for 1-2 minutes.
Fill Sandwiches: Using a slotted spoon, spoon shredded beef and onions onto the bottom halves of the split kaiser rolls. Add top halves.
Serve: Serve hot, with extra napkins for the saucy filling.

Tip: The slotted spoon helps control the sauce; offer extra sauce on the side for dipping.