A Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Taco Recipe Everyone Loves

This dish is all about bringing a cozy, comforting vibe with a fun Mexican twist. It’s super easy to whip up and is so versatile. It’s perfect for laid-back family nights and impressing dinner guests.

These slow cooker shredded beef tacos use an affordable chuck roast, and they make a lot, so it’s a great budget-friendly dinner and one of our favorite slow cooker dinner recipes.

This Chuck Roast recipe is perfect for those who love rich, deep flavors. It’s slow-cooked meat that falls apart with a fork.

🥣 important tools and ingredients

Remember, the quality of your meat and topping are super important! Get a nice quality pico and guacamole or make your own.

• Boneless Chuck Roast. Chuck roast, found in the meat section of the grocery store, is ideal for this recipe. It has rich marbling, which results in tender, flavorful meat after slow cooking.
• Cumin. Cumin, found in the spice aisle, adds a warm, earthy flavor. It’s essential for achieving an authentic Mexican taste in the dish.
• Cayenne Pepper. Cayenne pepper provides a spicy kick. You can adjust it to taste or substitute it with chili flakes for a different type of heat.
• Crushed Tomatoes. Crushed tomatoes are available in the canned goods section. They create a rich, saucy base for the roast. You can replace them with diced tomatoes for a chunkier texture.
• Beef Broth. Found in the soup aisle, beef broth adds depth and enhances the savoriness of the dish. A good quality broth makes a noticeable difference in flavor.

• Slow Cooker. The slow cooker is a must-have for this recipe. The chuck roast ensures it’s cooked and. This results in tender, flavorful meat.
• Large Heavy-Bottomed Skillet or Cast Iron Pan. Essential for searing the roast, which adds a rich depth of flavor and color to the meat before it is slow cooked.
• Cutting Board. A cutting board is important for seasoning the chuck roast before cooking.
• Measuring Spoons. Accurate measuring spoons are important for adding the correct amount of spices. They ensure the perfect balance of flavors.
• Mixing Bowl. A medium-sized mixing bowl is useful for combining the spices. Then, you can rub them onto the roast.
• Tongs or Slotted Spoon. You will need these tools to remove the cooked roast from the slow cooker. This is especially important if the roast is very tender and could fall apart.
• Two Forks. This is a crucial step in achieving the right texture for the dish. It’s used for shredding the cooked roast into bite-size pieces.

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Now, let’s move on to some pro tips. They will help you elevate this dish to its full culinary potential. This will ensure a delicious outcome every time.

✨ Tips for the best tacos

Note: I slightly char the tortillas when I make this.  To char edges of a tortilla, using tongs, place tortillas over a low/medium flame of a gas stove for 15-30 seconds and turn until charred to your liking.  Tortillas can also be warmed with a little butter or oil in a skillet for 30 seconds or a minute on each side, wrapped in foil in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or put directly under a broiler for a minute or two on each side.  Tortillas can also be wrapped in a damp paper towel and warmed in the microwave for 30 seconds.

• Choose the Right Cut. We recommend chuck roast. Look for a piece with good marbling for extra flavor and tenderness. If chuck roast isn’t available, brisket or round roast are good alternatives.
• Searing the Meat: Don’t skip the searing process. Searing the chuck roast on high heat before slow cooking creates a caramelized crust. It adds a deep, complex flavor to the dish.
• Layering Onions: Place sliced onions at the bottom of the slow cooker. Then, add the meat. It also creates a natural rack, preventing the meat from sticking to the bottom.
• If your slow cooker runs hot, check the roast earlier to avoid overcooking. , the meat should be tender but not falling apart too much, as it will continue to break down as you shred it.
• Taste the broth before adding the roast. Adjust the spices, especially the cayenne pepper, to your preference. The spices will mellow out during cooking, so a stronger flavor at this stage is fine.
• Managing Leftover Liquid: The leftover liquid can be very flavorful. Consider reducing it on

🥫 Storage and make ahead instructions

Using leftover liquid: For the remaining sauce leftover after cooking the beef, I have discarded it and also pureed it to use as enchilada sauce for beef enchiladas the next day.  The sauce is very flavorful, but to use as an enchilada sauce, I would recommend adding a little more spice, it is very mild.

For the leftover meat:

• Store in the fridge: Once cooled, store the leftover chuck roast in an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and tasty for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to include some of the cooking liquid to keep the meat moist.
• Freezing Instructions: The chuck roast freezes well. Place the cooled meat in a freezer-safe bag or container. Add some of its cooking liquid again to prevent drying out. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Label the container with the date so you can keep track.
• Reheating. Put in a pan and cover with foil to reheat in the oven.  Warm at 250 for 30 min or so.  Add a little extra sauce from the roast or broth to keep from drying out.  You can also gently simmer over the stovetop with a little extra sauce or broth. Microwaving until warm in the microwave is also a possibility.  You can also reheat in the slow cooker for 1-2 hours on low.  You just don’t want too high of a heat for too long to avoid having the meat be dry. 
• Avoid Repeated Reheating: Try to reheat only the amount of roast you plan to consume to maintain the quality of the meat. Repeated reheating can cause the meat to become dry and less flavorful.

Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe for an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Brown the meat using the sauté function. Then, cook it under high pressure for about 60-80 minutes with natural release. This method is great if you’re short on time.

Serving ideas:

• Mexican Rice
• Chips and Homemade Salsa
• A delicious frozen drink like this Blue Pina Colada.

❤️ More easy crockpot dinners you’ll love

There’s nothing like a crockpot dinner for a busy day. Here are some more of our favorites.

• For those busy weeknights, nothing beats the convenience and comfort of Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Rice, a one-pot wonder that’s sure to please the whole family.
• Imagine the aroma of Crockpot Ranch Chicken and Potatoes greeting you at the door; it’s a hearty meal that promises to make your evening stress-free and delicious.”
• Get your taste buds ready for the sweet and tangy flavors of Crockpot BBQ Chicken Thighs, a dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

So, go ahead and give it a try – a delicious, flavor-packed meal awaits you!