Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Taco

Tacos are a universally craved food.  They are usually picky eater friendly, and fun to serve as a make-your-own meal.  

Choose between soft flour tortillas and crunchy corn shells, add your favorite toppings, and you have a fully personalized meal.  

📝Shopping list

To make this amazing Mexican shredded beef dish, you will need these simple ingredients available at your local grocery store: 

• chuck roast
• beef broth
• tomato paste
• taco seasoning - A recipe for homemade taco seasoning is below.  Store-bought can be used as well
• chopped green chilis - I used canned
• salt and black pepper - to taste

🔪Instructions

This great recipe involves a few simple steps:

Preparing your slow cooker

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent.  Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings. 

 NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface.  Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface.  Check your slow cooker's manual if you have any concerns. 

Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.  

Cooking

• 🌮Place chuck roast into a greased crock pot.  
• 🌮Add remaining ingredients, other than salt and pepper on top of the beef
• 🌮Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours (low is recommended for best results) 
• 🌮Once cooked, remove beef from slow cooker.  
• 🌮Use two forks to shred the beef.  You may choose to remove any excess fat or connective tissue while you shred
• 🌮Remove about ¾ of the liquid from your slow cooker.  Add the shredded beef to the remaining liquid in the slow cooker and stir to combine.  
• 🌮Add back bits of reserved liquid if desired for a juicier consistency.
• 🌮Turn slow cooker down to warm until you are ready to serve.  

🍽Serving suggestions

There are an endless variety of ways to serve this versatile recipe.  Here are a few suggestions:

• Tacos, of course!  Just build your own with your favorite taco toppings. Shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh lime juice, chopped fresh cilantro, and fresh salsa all make wonderful toppings.  We love this recipe as part of a build-your-own taco bar.  
• Burritos: Pack the beef with rice, beans, salsa, cheese, and your favorite toppings for a hearty and portable meal.
• Tostadas: Spread refried beans on a crispy tostada shell, top with beef, cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, and crema for a layered fiesta.
• Beef Enchiladas: Roll the beef with cheese and your desired fillings in tortillas, smother with sauce, and bake for a cheesy and comforting casserole 
• Taco Salad: Combine the shredded tender beef with lettuce, tomatoes, corn, beans, cheese, and dressing for a satisfying and healthy salad.
• Nachos: Layer tortilla chips with shredded beef, beans, cheese, and your favorite toppings, then broil until melted and bubbly. This option is a  crowd-pleasing party snack or game day treat.
• Taco Bowls: Use a rice bowl base, top with shredded beef, black beans, corn, salsa, guacamole, and a squeeze of lime for a fresh and customizable meal.
• Taco Lasagna: Substitute shredded beef for the ground beef in this tortilla lasagna recipe! 

🔁Substitution ideas

This is a fun and easy recipe to tailor to your liking.  Here are some ideas:

1. Add beer or wine.   Add 1 cup beer or dry red wine for a deeper flavor.  Cook with the lid off for the last hour to allow some of the alcohol to cook off.
2. Sub in diced tomatoes: Substitute diced tomatoes for the tomato sauce for a chunkier finished product.  
3. Trade In diced jalapenos: Use fresh jalapenos in place of chili peppers for more heat, adjusting the amount to your desired spice level.
4. Or- pickled jalapenos: swap chili peppers for chopped pickled jalapenos.  This will bring a milder heat and and tangy kick.
5. Dial up the sweetness: A pinch of brown sugar or honey can balance the savory flavors.
6. Increase smoky notes: Add a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce for a smoky and complex flavor.

Storing

Store leftovers of this delicious slow cooker shredded beef taco meat in an airtight container or bag.  It will last 2-3 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.  

Defrost frozen leftovers in the refrigerator overnight before reheating for best results. 

😉Hints and Hacks

1. The perfect way to store leftovers of this slow cooker recipe is in individual serving-sized containers.  This makes for easy grab-and-go future meals. 
2. I always recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price.
3. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine.
4. Don't forget to plug your slow cooker in and turn it on! 😏
5. Homemade taco seasoning is my favorite for a variety of reasons.  The most noteworthy of which is that you know exactly what goes into it.  No fillers or preservatives.  Below is my recipe: 

🌮Homemade Taco Seasoning

• chili powder - 4 tbsp
• cumin - 1.5 tbsp
• paprika - 1.5 tsp
• garlic powder - 1 tsp
• onion powder - 1 tsp
• sea salt - 1 tsp
• pepper - 1 tsp
• dried ground cilantro - 1 tsp
• optional: crushed red pepper flakes to taste (This is relatively mild recipe. If like it hot, here is your chance to turn it up!).