Put this raw beef flat iron steak in your slow cooker alongside 4 other ingredients for a meal so incredible your friends will demand the recipe.

This 5-ingredient slow cooker July Fourth feast is built around a raw beef flat iron steak and a handful of pantry staples, transforming an affordable cut into something tender, saucy, and worthy of a backyard gathering. Flat iron, cut from the shoulder, is well-marbled and holds up beautifully to low-and-slow cooking, soaking in bold flavors without drying out.

Here it’s nestled into a slow cooker with a tangy barbecue sauce, sweet-tart cherry preserves, a splash of cola, and bright pops of tricolor cherry tomatoes that echo the festive colors of the holiday. The result is a set-it-and-forget-it main dish so good your friends will absolutely ask how you made it.

Serve the shredded flat iron over soft brioche or potato buns with a crunchy slaw—classic cabbage, vinegar-based, or even a simple bagged coleslaw dressed up with extra black pepper and celery seed. On the side, think traditional July Fourth staples: grilled corn on the cob, a simple green salad, or a chilled pasta salad.

The sauce is slightly sweet and smoky, so it pairs nicely with something bright and acidic like pickles or quick-pickled onions. For drinks, a cold lager, iced tea with lemon, or a cherry-lime spritzer will echo the flavors in the pot without overwhelming them.

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker July Fourth Flat Iron FeastServings: 6

Ingredients