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Slow Cooker Shredded Beef

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef
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Slow Cooker Shredded Beef is a tender, flavorful, and effortless dish perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. Using affordable beef chuck roast, this recipe slow cooks the meat until it melts in your mouth, infused with a savory blend of spices and aromatics. Versatile and budget-friendly, it’s ideal for tacos, sandwiches, salads, and more.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 3 to 4 pounds beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat
  • 1 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

Optional Variations

  • 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper for spicy kick
  • 1 fresh lime, juiced (for Mexican flair)
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (to stir in during last hour)
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary or thyme (for herb-infused flavor)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Beef: Trim any excess fat from the chuck roast for a cleaner taste, then pat the meat dry with paper towels. This helps improve browning if you choose to sear the beef before slow cooking, although this step is optional.
  2. Sear the Meat (Optional but Recommended): Heat a bit of oil in a hot skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef on all sides until it develops a rich, brown crust. Searing locks in flavor and adds depth of color to the finished dish.
  3. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the chuck roast in the slow cooker. Pour in the beef broth. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin. Stir gently to evenly distribute the seasonings and ingredients.
  4. Slow Cook Until Tender: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours. The beef is done when it easily shreds with a fork.
  5. Shred the Beef: Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker with the juices to soak up maximum flavor before serving.

Notes

  • Choose chuck roast for the best shredding results due to its marbling and connective tissue.
  • Do not rush the cooking process; slow cooking allows the beef to become tender and flavorful.
  • Reserve some of the cooking liquid to keep the shredded beef moist when serving.
  • Searing the meat before slow cooking is optional but enhances flavor and color.
  • Adjust seasoning after shredding the beef, since flavors concentrate during cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef, shredded beef, crockpot beef, easy beef recipe, shredded beef tacos, meal prep beef

Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/slow-cooker-shredded-beef/