BBQ Beef Sliders

When I want to feed a crowd, sliders are always the answer. This chuck gets rubbed with smoked paprika, cumin, ancho and a little espresso powder, which sounds unexpected but adds a deep smoky flavor that makes the beef taste like it cooked all day.

Pile it onto soft buns with those sweet caramelized onions and you’ve got the kind of thing that disappears fast at a game day spread or a summer cookout.

BBQ Beef Sliders

Ingredients:

• Your choice of beef, I used chuck—about 2-3 lbs

• Onion, sliced—I used half

• Olive oil

• Garlic powder

• Smoked paprika

• Cumin

• Ancho chile powder

• Brown sugar, light or dark is fine

• Espresso powder

• Sazon

• Adobo

• Fresh sage leaves (optional)

• Dried oregano

• S + P

• Bread rolls

• Bbq sauce of your choice

• Honey

• Smoked paprika

• Espresso powder

• Dark chocolate—it must be dark chocolate (optional)

Instructions:

1. Salt your beef and let it rest for up to 30 minutes on the counter. Then make the dry rub for the beef using garlic powder, smoked paprika, pepper, ancho chile powder, sazon, adobo, oregano, brown sugar and espresso powder. Rub the seasoning all over the steak.

2. Preheat your oven to 300, alternatively you can use a slow cooker.

3. In an oven safe skillet, sear the meat on all sides, pour some water to the leftover rub and add it to the steak along with the onions—the water should cover the meat halfway. Place it in the oven uncovered for 2-4 hours (depending on the cut and size of the meat).

4. Start on the bread rolls.

5. When the meat is done cooking (you should be able to break it apart with a fork). Pull it apart and place it aside while you work on the bbq sauce.

6. To make the bbq sauce, in a small saucepan, add your bbq sauce of choice along with honey, smoked paprika, 1-2 tsp of espresso powder and about 4-5 dark chocolate chips. Mix it altogether and when it comes to a boil, turn it off and remove from the heat.

7. To assemble, slice the bread rolls, add the meat and some greens (like arugula) if you’d like!

8. Enjoy!