Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What cut of beef is best for shredded beef tacos? ›

WHAT IS THE BEST CUT FOR SHREDDED BEEF TACOS? For the most tender, juicy and flavorful shredded beef tacos, use boneless chuck roast. It can also be labeled as a shoulder roast, chuck eye roast, or arm chuck roast. It boasts a succulent, beefy flavor and melt-in-your mouth texture due to its rich marbling.

Chuck roast is arguably the best cut to use for pulled beef. Similar to the front shoulder of pork (or the pork “butt”) chuck roasts, being from the front shoulder of the steer, are chock full of fat, collagen, and marbling. This is the stuff we need to make delicious juicy pulled beef.

Taco meat can dry out if you don't add extra water to the slow cooker. I suggest adding water before turning on the heat. This will keep the meat nice and moist, and serves the double purpose of helping the seasoning melt into the meat!

“If you're cooking meat, you'll know it's done when it is fork-tender, meaning you can cut into it easily with just a fork,” she says. When meat is overcooked, it will be “tough and dry,” while overcooked vegetables will be mushy.

Chuck. Chuck steak was practically designed for slow cooking. It comes from the shoulder and upper arm of the cow, so it's done a lot of work over the life of the animal — with its abundant collagen, it's the type of cut that gets tough when grilled quickly, but becomes tender and juicier the longer you cook it.

What is the best cut for shredded beef? Chuck roast is hands down the winner for maximum beefy flavor, the right amount of fattiness, and cost-effectiveness, but there are a few runner-ups that will yield a delicious result. Brisket is always a delicious choice, but it can be on the pricey side.

Choose the right cut: Chuck roasts, short ribs, pork shoulders and lamb shanks (think fatty and tougher meats) become meltingly tender with the moist, low heat of a slow cooker. Leaner cuts like pork tenderloin tend to dry out. Likewise, dark meat chicken — thighs, drumsticks, etc.

Things You Should Know

Cook a 2 lb (900 g) boneless beef rump roast with 1 cup (250 mL) of beef broth in a slow cooker on high for 5-6 hours to get perfectly shreddable beef.

Yes, you can overcook beef stew and other dishes. The recipe will indicate the preferred time, and while one can go over that, it shouldn't be by too much. One hour isn't likely to make a difference for beef stew. Three hours would.

What happens if you don't brown meat before a slow cooker? ›

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

However, cooking it for too long can cause the meat to become dry and tough. The ideal cooking time for meat in a slow cooker depends on the cut of meat, its thickness, and the temperature setting of the slow cooker.

A typical 12-serving taco seasoning mix recipe uses about 1 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch. If you want to skip the cornstarch in your homemade seasoning to use it for other purposes, just sprinkle ⅓ to ½ teaspoon of cornstarch per pound of browned, spiced meat before adding ¾ cup of water and heat until thickened.

Hailing from Mexico and the Caribbean, Beef Barbacoa is a dish of meat that's traditionally slow-cooked – often in pits – with seasonings or a light broth until very tender.

Once beef is cooked through drain the grease grease. Add all seasonings and beef broth.

Use flank steak. It is a lean cut of beef and is best when cooked to medium rare and thinly sliced, making it perfect for tacos. Only marinate the steak in lime juice for 30 minutes or the steak will get mushy. This is a quick and easy recipe, you don't have to marinate the steak for hours.

What kind of steak is best for tacos? Sirloin steak is most commonly used for steak tacos but you can also use skirt steak, flank steak, ribeye steak, or flap steak. For a more affordable option, ground beef can be used.

Carne Deshebrada or shredded beef tacos are a meal the whole family craves. This flavorful beef recipe is also a favorite for, gorditas, tostadas, and more! With stove top, slow cooker, and Instant Pot instructions included, there's no excuse not to make this delicious recipe.

A marinade is the best way to utilize acids and enzymes for your benefit in tenderizing. Acids assist in breaking down proteins, while enzymes relax and break down proteins. Acidic ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, and even yogurt have a low pH that can assist in tenderizing your beef.