Crock Pot Shredded Beef (Printable)

Tender slow-cooked beef spiced perfectly for tacos, sandwiches, and bowls.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Beef

01 - 3 lbs chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 large onion, thinly sliced
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

04 - 1 cup beef broth
05 - 1/4 cup tomato paste
06 - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

→ Spices & Seasonings

07 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
08 - 2 teaspoons ground cumin
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

# Steps:

01 - Layer the sliced onions and minced garlic evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
02 - Whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl until smooth and fully combined.
03 - Combine the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne in a small dish. Massage the spice mixture thoroughly over all surfaces of the chuck roast.
04 - Position the seasoned chuck roast directly on top of the onion and garlic bed in the slow cooker.
05 - Pour the broth mixture evenly over the beef and aromatics.
06 - Cover with the lid and cook on low heat for 8 hours until the beef pulls apart easily with a fork.
07 - Transfer the cooked roast to a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the meat into strands, then return it to the slow cooker and toss thoroughly with the accumulated juices.
08 - Serve hot, portioned into tacos, sandwiches, or over rice bowls.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get tender, falling apart beef with almost zero active time in the kitchen
  • The spice rub creates layers of flavor that develop beautifully over eight hours
  • Leftovers transform into tacos, sandwiches, or rice bowls without any extra work
02 -
  • Every slow cooker runs differently, so start checking at 7 hours if this is your first time using yours for beef
  • Letting the beef rest for 15 minutes before shredding helps it retain more moisture
03 -
  • Searing the roast in a hot skillet for 3 minutes per side before adding it to the slow cooker adds incredible depth
  • If you have time, rub the spice mix onto the beef the night before and refrigerate it uncovered

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