My Go-To Crock-Pot Shredded Beef Tacos
Simple, flavorful, and easy to make, these shredded beef tacos are perfect for a fun family taco night. After testing this recipe several times, I found a few tricks that make the beef especially tender and flavorful.
🥰 Why I Love These Pulled Beef Tacos
- Perfect for Busy Nights: Add everything to the crockpot in the morning and let it slowly cook while you get on with your day. By dinner, you’ll have tender, flavorful shredded beef ready for tacos.
- Great for Leftovers: Use the leftover beef to make a taco salad, serve it over rice for a shredded beef burrito bowl, or add it to eggs for a delicious breakfast.
If you enjoy these tacos, you can also try slow cooker shredded chicken tacos or crockpot carnitas tacos.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Beef Chuck Roast: Use about a 3-pound chuck roast. This cut becomes tender and easy to shred after slow cooking.
Beef Broth: You only need 1 cup of beef broth. If you don’t have broth, dissolve one bouillon cube in 1 cup of water.
Spices: A flavorful blend of eight Mexican-inspired spices gives the beef plenty of seasoning. Most of the mixture goes into the slow cooker, while 2 tablespoons are reserved for seasoning the shredded beef later.
Lime Juice: Lime juice adds a fresh, bright flavor and balances the richness of the beef. Start with the juice of 1 lime and add more if you prefer a stronger citrus flavor.
Taco Toppings: Keep things simple with fresh cilantro and diced onions, or add your favorite toppings such as guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, or shredded cheese.
See the recipe card below for the complete ingredient list and measurements.
How to Make Shredded Beef Tacos
Step 1: Cut the chuck roast into 3–4-inch pieces. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the beef on all sides.
Step 2: Transfer the beef to your crockpot and add the beef broth. Combine all the spices, then reserve 2 tablespoons of the seasoning mixture for later.
Step 3: Cook the beef on low for 6–7 hours, or until it is tender and easy to shred. Transfer the cooked beef to a plate and shred it with forks. Toss the shredded beef with the reserved seasoning and the juice of 1–2 limes.
Step 4: Fill your tortillas with the seasoned shredded beef and finish with your favorite toppings, such as fresh cilantro and diced onions.
Flavorful Crock-Pot Shredded Beef Tacos
It has simple ingredients, it’s easy to make, and it’s a taco night you and your family will love.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast
- 1 tablespoon oil, avocado or olive oil
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 limes
- 14 tortillas
Instructions
- Trim any excess fat off of the chuck roast. Cut the beef into 3-4-inch chunks.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, sear the beef chunks on all sides until browned. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the skillet. Note: Searing adds flavor but can be skipped if short on time.
- Place the seared beef chunks into your crock pot. Pour in the beef broth.
- In a small bowl, mix together the chili powder, oregano, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the spice mix for later and sprinkle the rest evenly over the beef.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or until the beef is tender and easy to shred.
- Transfer the cooked beef chunks to a large plate or bowl. Shred the beef using two forks. Mix in the reserved 2 tablespoons of seasoning and the juice of 1-2 limes. Start with 1 lime and add more juice if desired for a stronger citrus flavor. Do not shred the beef in the crockpot to avoid excess grease. If you don’t want to use lime juice, replace it with 2-4 tablespoons of the beef broth from the crock pot.
- Warm your tortillas and fill them with the shredded beef. Add your favorite taco toppings, like diced onions, cilantro, and hot sauce.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 taco
Calories: 280 kcal
Carbohydrates: 17 g
Protein: 22 g
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 1 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 1 g
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
