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Slow Cooker Shredded Beef – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef

A low-effort, high-reward slow cooker shredded beef recipe. Perfectly seasoned, fall-apart tender beef with a rich, savory sauce, ideal for tacos, nachos, or sandwiches. Just a few minutes of prep yields a spectacular, crowd-pleasing dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8 serving
Calories: 416
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs (1.4 kg / 3.09 lb) beef chuck roast
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) 1 lime, juiced, about
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) chili powder
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) ground cumin
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) dried oregano
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) red pepper flakes
  • For a deeper, richer flavor, sear the chuck roast on all sides in a hot, oiled skillet before adding it to the slow cooker. This creates a beautiful crust and adds complexity.
  • Briefly toast the dry spices in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. This awakens their essential oils and intensifies their flavor.
  • This beef tastes even better the next day! Store it in its juices in the refrigerator. The flavors will meld and deepen overnight. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
  • If you sear the meat, deglaze the pan with a splash of beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom, and pour this liquid into the slow cooker for an extra flavor boost.

Method
 

  1. Directions
  2. Create the Spice Rub: In a small bowl, whisk together the chili powder, cumin, paprika, kosher salt, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes.
  3. Set aside.
  4. Build the Flavor Base: Spread the diced onion and minced garlic across the bottom of your slow cooker.
  5. Add the tomato paste, fresh lime juice, and just 1-2 teaspoons (10 ml / 0.3 fl oz) of your prepared spice mixture.
  6. Stir to combine everything into a rough paste.
  7. Season and Cook: Generously rub the remaining spice mixture all over the beef chuck roast, patting it gently to help it adhere.
  8. Place the seasoned roast directly on top of the onion mixture in the slow cooker. Secure the lid and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender.
  9. Shred and Soak: Using two forks, shred the meat directly in the slow cooker, discarding any large pieces of fat.
  10. Stir the shredded beef thoroughly to coat it in the rich, flavorful juices at the bottom of the pot.
  11. Final Simmer and Serve: Cover the slow cooker again and continue to cook on LOW for another 30-60 minutes. This allows the shredded meat to absorb all that incredible flavor.
  12. Before serving, give it one last stir, taste, and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 416kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 28gFat: 27g

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