This slow cooker pulled beef is so delicious and makes incredible shredded beef tacos! To make this slow cooker pulled beef, I used easy to find ingredients (stew meat, herbs, and citrus) and then let them cook together in a crock pot! I served these shredded beef tacos with my Avocado Crema and my homemade Peach Mango Salsa. It is such a tasty combination and I know you will love it.

Shredded Beef Tacos

I absolutely love any shredded meat. Growing up we ate a lot of shredded pork in the form of “pernil”, but every so often my mom would make ultra tender beef and I would just be in love with it. I have been wanting to make some of my favorite meals in the Slow Cooker to prepare for the Fall. It would be great if I could throw everything into the slow cooker in the morning and have the meal cooking while I am going about my day.

This slow cooker pulled beef is based off of Beef Barbacoa. Barbacoa is actually a method of cooking meat. It is normally slowly cooked that produces tender and juicy results. I used my Slow Cooker (crock pot) to achieve this result, but you can also use a dutch oven. Barbacoa is the same type of meat that Chipotle uses to make their shredded beef tacos and burritos too.

I like to make a double batch of this slow cooker pulled beef so that I have it for leftovers. Then I prep a few different meals with some rice and beans, and use it for tacos, burritos, or even to make a super stuffed grilled cheese! It is so tasty and everyone who tries this absolutely loves this meal, especially my toddler. This pulled beef dish is 100% kid approved! I served my slow cooker pulled beef in tacos with my homemade Peach Mango Salsa. These shredded beef tacos come out perfect every time!

What cut of meat do you use for Slow Cooker Pulled Beef?

Chuck Roast is the best cut of meat to use for pulled beef or shredded beef, but I also like to use Stew Meat. I mainly shop at Trader Joe’s because my wife works there and they sell stew meat, but not Chuck Roast. Since it is easier for me to get, I like to use it. It also produces similar results when slow cooked or used in my instant pot. Plus, no cutting necessary! Win/Win!

If I buy chuck roast, I normally cut it into 6 smaller pieces. If you have extra time, you can sear the outside of each piece before throwing it in the slow cooker. This added some flavor to the meat and will make your shredded beef tacos even better.

What do I need to make Shredded Beef Tacos

Beef Stew Meat/Chuck Roast – Not all grocery stores carry stew meat, so if they do not have it I pick up chuck roast and then I just make sure to cut it into 2 inch pieces.
Cooking Oil – I use Olive oil or Avocado Oil for this
Garlic – You can use fresh garlic, frozen minced garlic, or garlic paste. Just make sure to use a lot!
sea salt – Beef can take on a lot of salt so do not be afraid to use it. At the end, give it a taste. If you need to add more, feel free. If you feel it is too salty, add a little bit more Orange Juice or Lime Juice.
spice blend: cumin, black pepper, chipotle pepper powder, oregano
beef broth: I always use low sodium because I rather add in the salt by myself. You could use any broth for this.
orange or whole lime (juiced):the acidity and sweetness balances out the flavor
Cilantro: optional

INGREDIENTS

1.5 – 2 lbs Beef Stew Meat Chuck Roast cut into 2″ pieces can also be used
1 tbsp Avocado Oil
1 tbsp Garlic Paste or 4 Garlic Cloves finely minced
1.5 tsp Sea Salt not table salt
1 tsp Cumin
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Chipotle Chili Powder you can use regular chili powder in it’s place but it will not have the classic barbacoa taste
1/2 tsp Oregano
1 cup Beef Broth
1 Large Lime, Juiced or 1/2 of an Orange, seeds removed, Juiced
Fresh Cilantro optional
Tortillas if you want to make these into tacos
Peach Mango Salsa: recipe here

INSTRUCTIONS

Put all ingredients in your Slow Cooker except for the fresh cilantro
Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours
Turn Heat Off, Remove Beef from the Juice using a slotted spoon. Add the Beef to a cutting board, and shred up the beef.
Add the beef back into the slow cooker juices and serve
Top with finely minced fresh cilantro
Warm up some tortillas, pile on some shredded beef, and add your favorite toppings.

NOTES

You can cook this dish on High for 5-6 hours, but this particular cut of meat is best prepared using a low and slow cook.

I use a 4 quart slow cooker for this recipe, but you can use a 6 quart one as well.

If you like this recipe, you may also like:

Peach Mango Salsa

Avocado Crema

Healthy Chilli Con Carne

Buffalo Chicken Helper