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Slow Cooker Roast Beef Po-boys  – crusty french bread stuffed with juicy, fall-apart tender roast beef that’s been slow cooking for hours, topped with lettuce, mayonnaise and lots of gravy.  Good and sloppy, just like they make ’em in New Orleans.

Two halves of a Roast Beef Po-boy on a large plate

To make a really great roast beef po-boy, you just need to remember a few things. First, you can’t be stingy with the roast beef. You have to pile it on.

Second, you have to decide whether or not you want your po-boy dressed or not. Dressed means with lettuce, tomatoes and mayonnaise added.

Finally, you need to make sure you add lots and lots of gravy.  When the gravy mixes with the mayonnaise, it tends to fall out of the bread and become a wonderfully sloppy, messy meal.  In fact, if you don’t need more than a few napkins, you haven’t made a po-boy right.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Cooking a roast in a slow cooker allows the meat to cook at a low temperature very slowly. This process gives you juicy, extra tender meat.
  • This recipe is simple. Yes, there are quite a few ingredients needed but keep in mind that it’s a very flexible recipe.

Ingredient Notes

See recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

  • Beef Chuck Roast: You may use Top Round, Rump Roast, Chuck Shoulder or Eye Round Roast instead, but my preference is Chuck Roast.
  • Seasonings: Creole seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
  • Canola or vegetable oil: This ingredient is used when searing the meat.
  • Vegetables: Onion, celery, carrots, and garlic.
  • Beef broth: You can make your own beef broth, or you can use chicken or beef broth or stock.
  • To assemble: French Bread, mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato

How To Make This Recipe

  1. Place the roast in the pan and sear until golden brown on both sides; about 8 minutes per side. Remove the roast from the pan and transfer to a plate.
  2. Place the sliced onions, celery and carrots in the bowl of the slow cooker.
  3. Put the roast on top of the vegetables.
  4. Using the tip of a sharp knife, make five small slits about 1-inch deep all over the roast. Using your fingers, insert the garlic cloves as deep into the meat as possible.
  5. Add the beef broth, salt, pepper and bay leaf to the slow cooker and cover with the lid. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Spoonful of roast beef from a slow cooker next to two loaves of french bread and a bottle of beer

To Assemble

  1. Spread a generous amount of mayonnaise on both pieces of bread.
  2. Top with shredded meat and gravy.
  3. Serve with shredded lettuce and tomatoes, if desired.

Expert Tips

  • This beef stew begins with a pound of beef chuck roast. If you find another cut of meat that is cheaper, go ahead and use it. Bottom round, top round, eye round, or shoulder roast. Either of these cuts will work just as well.
  • I season my roast with Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning. If you can’t find Tony’s, any good creole seasoning will probably do.  You can even make your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Sear Meat?

Start with a hot pan. Place the piece of beef in the pan. Let the meat sizzle for a good 8 minutes per side. When the bottom of the meat has a dark crust, flip the pieces over and cook the other sides until browned.

Can I Substitute Lamb For The Beef?

Yes! Lamb would be a wonderful substitution.

How Long Does Slow Cooker Roast Beef Last?

Store leftover Slow Cooker Roast Beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Two halves of a Roast Beef Po-boy on a large plate

Enjoy!


Slow Cooker Roast Beef Po-Boys

Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 8 hours
Total: 8 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Roast Beef Po-boys  – crusty french bread stuffed with juicy, fall-apart tender roast beef that’s been slow cooking for hours, topped with lettuce, mayonnaise and lots of gravy.  Good and sloppy, just like they make ’em in New Orleans. | www.zagleft.com

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound chuck roast (2 1/2 to 3)
  • 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 celery rib, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 3 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 crushed black pepper

TO ASSEMBLE

  • 1 large loaf of french bread (or 6 small baguettes)
  • Mayonnaise
  • lettuce, shredded
  • tomatoes, sliced

Instructions 

  • Pat the beef dry with paper towels and season both sides with the creole seasoning.
  • Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil to the pan.
  • Place the roast in the pan and sear until golden brown on both sides; about 8 minutes per side. Remove the roast from the pan and transfer to a plate.
  • Place the sliced onions, celery and carrots in the bowl of the slow cooker.
  • Put the roast on top of the vegetables.
  • Using the tip of a sharp knife, make five small slits about 1-inch deep all over the roast. Using your fingers, insert the garlic cloves as deep into the meat as possible.
  • Add the beef broth, salt, pepper and bay leaf to the slow cooker and cover with the lid. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
  • *TO ASSEMBLE*
  • Spread a generous amount of mayonnaise on both pieces of bread. Top with shredded meat and gravy. Serve with shredded lettuce and tomatoes, if desired.

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4.84 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

38 Comments

  1. Wow, I can only imagine how amazing these sandwiches are! You’re right, it’s not good unless it’s messy!

  2. OMG I can’t tell you how much I loved this post!! New Orleans is arguably my favorite city ever. The food is just the best! I met my husband there – long story 😉 But we go back every couple years, and po’boys are a must when we’re there. I love making them at home too. These look and sound absolutely divine!

  3. Two seconds on your post and I was compelled to hit the Pin-It button for Pinterest! I love delicious po-boys but I’ve only eaten them at delis. Now I have this fabulous recipe to make them at home. This makes me very happy. And that bread looks absolutely heavenly! Thank you so much for posting this crock pot inspiration.

    1. Thank you so much, Denay! They’re so easy to make and delicious too – I hope you enjoy the recipe!

  4. These look so delicious! I really need to get into slow cooker recipes more, and I absolutely love Po’ boys! I’ve never tried to make them myself, but this recipe looks fun to make.

  5. Ya know, I was always under the impression that a po boy could only be shrimp. A beef po boy sounds mighty interesting, though. I should try it!

    1. Living in New Orleans, I’ve seen seafood, ham and cheese, and roast beef po-boys. Although seafood po-boys are the most popular, my favorite has always been roast beef. You should definitely try it.

  6. That slow cooker post roast looks so juicy and amazing! And we could eat it for days – either make wonderful sandwiches like you did or as a main mean! Must try!

  7. Roast beef is my go to sandwiches. I love a good po boy, I never knew the story behind the name. 🙂

  8. 5 stars
    This looks so good. I’m from TexaS so I’m very picky with BBQ and love a good po-boy