Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos are savory, flavorful, and fall-apart tender. Load them up with your favorite toppings for an easy fuss-free dinner!

slow cooker shredded beef tacos with toppings

I Cannot Get Enough of These Shredded Beef Tacos

and here are a few reasons why I really think you’re going to love them, too!

Hands-off – I love a good slow cooker recipe because it does most of the work for me! If you also love a good “hands-off” style recipe then you’re going to fall in love with these tacos. This recipe really comes down to a quick sear of the beef, sauté the aromatics, then pop it in the slow cooker and let it do the rest! Shred the beef, build your tacos and dinner is DONE.
Seriously, so good! – every recipe I share with you is thoroughly tested to ensure you’re getting maximum flavor with the least amount of effort possible and these tacos are no different. The end result of this recipe is juicy, tender beef that tastes like you stood over the stove all day…but we all know the truth!
Great for meal prep – last, but certainly not least, the shredded beef in these tacos is an incredible meal prep option! The beef reheats quickly in the microwave and will last in the fridge for a few days, plus it’s versatile so you can use it for a variety of different kinds of recipes!

I know you’re going to love this recipe and I cannot wait for you to make it! I’ve included tons of helpful information and tips in this post to ensure that your tacos turn out perfectly flavorful and juicy every time. There’s also a video, below, if you’re a visual person.

If you want to take your chances and jump to the recipe you can do that, too! But be sure to look through the post at least once before attempting to make the recipe. I promise it’s worth the quick scroll. I think I’ve answered every question you can think of, but if I missed anything be sure to leave a comment and let me know. I’m always happy to help!

If you’re looking for even more dinnertime inspiration, be sure to grab all of my favorite easy dinner recipes here!

— Ashlea

Details on Recipe Ingredients

Avocado Oil: this is my go-to oil for searing the beef, but olive oil or another neutral oil would also work.
Beef Chuck Roast: you’ll need a 2-pound beef chuck roast for this recipe.
Herbs and Spices: salt, cumin, chipotle powder, dried oregano, smoked paprika, and a bay leaf infuse the meat with a warm, savory flavor.
Apple Cider Vinegar: this helps tenderize the beef and adds a bit of tang.
Broth: I like to use low-sodium broth for this dish.
Onion and Garlic: sautéed until soft, these add a delicious, pungent, slightly sweet taste.
Lime and Orange Juice: this helps tenderize the beef and adds a delicious, bright, citrusy flavor that balances some of the heat.
Tortillas: I like flour tortillas for these tacos and quickly char them for a bit of crunch. However, corn tortillas or gluten and grain-free tortillas would also be great options. Go with your favorite!

chuck roast being seared in cast iron skillet

shredded beef and seasonings in slow cooker

How to Make Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos in Five Easy Steps (A Quick Overview)

Heat your skillet or large pot and add some olive oil.
Sear the beef on each side until it’s a deep golden brown. This usually takes me around 7-8 minutes per side.
Lower the skillet heat and then add your apple cider vinegar to deglaze the pan and scrape up any delicious brown bits of flavor!! Then you’ll sauté the onion and garlic for a few minutes before adding them to the slow cooker.
Finally, you’ll add all of the remaining spices, seasonings, and broth to the slow cooker. Cover, and cook on high for 5-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours until the beef is tender and shreds easily with two forks.
Lastly, assemble your shredded beef tacos with your favorite toppings, and enjoy!

My Favorite Topping Ideas In Case You Need Inspiration

My go-to toppings for these shredded beef tacos are cilantro, avocado, pickled red onions, cotija cheese, and fresh lime. However, if you’re looking for inspiration or want to set up a taco bar situation, here are a few more options include:

Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream
Diced Tomatoes or Pico de Gallo
Guacamole
Shredded Cheese

A Few Other Ways to Serve and Switch Things Up

Personally, I love to prep a large batch of this shredded beef taco meat for meal prep. You can serve it in a variety of ways throughout the week so you don’t get bored.

Here are a few of my favorite ways to use the beef that aren’t tacos:

Burrito Bowls: start with a base of cilantro lime rice. Then, add the shredded beef and all of your favorite burrito bowl toppings. Try making a batch avocado corn salsa for the bowls!
Taco Salads: of course, a taco salad is always a great option. Start with your favorite greens, add the beef, and all of your favorite salad toppings. Try using this jalapeño ranch as the dressing!
Lettuce Wraps: swap flour or corn tortillas for butter or romaine lettuce leaves for an easy lettuce wrap option.
Nachos: sprinkle the beef evenly over tortilla chips. Then, add cheese and your favorite toppings. This is such a fun way to switch things up!

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftovers

Store any leftover meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
Freeze the beef for up to 6 months, and thaw it in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to cook and serve.
Reheat any leftover shredded beef in a hot skillet until warmed through or in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until heated through. Then, assemble your tacos as normal.

More Delicious Taco Recipes to Add to Your List

(save these to your Pinterest board for later!)

I hope you give this Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos recipe a try! It’s hands-off, delicious, and super versatile! If you do, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews and ratings help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you trust and love.

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos

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Author: Ashlea Carver
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 8
Category: Dinner
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Mexican Inspired
Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Description

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos are savory, flavorful, and fall-apart tender. Load them up with your favorite toppings for an easy fuss-free dinner!

Ingredients

Units Scale

2 tablespoons avocado oil
3lb beef chuck roast
1 tablespoon salt, plus more to taste
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 medium white onion, thinly sliced
6 cloves garlic, smashed
1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup orange juice
1 dried bay leaf
1 tablespoon cumin
1/2 tablespoon chipotle powder
1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika

For Serving

charred flour tortillas
cilantro
avocado
pickled onions
cotija cheese
fresh limes

Instructions

Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. While the pan is heating, sprinkle a half tablespoon of salt on each side of the beef. When the pan is hot, add the avocado oil. Sear the beef for 7-8 minutes per side until it’s golden brown. Remove the meat from the skillet and place it in the slow cooker.
Lower the skillet heat and then add the apple cider vinegar to deglaze. Next, add the onions and garlic to the skillet. Cook 3-4 minutes and then pour over the beef.
Add all of the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on high for 5-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours until the beef is tender and easily shreds with two forks.
Assemble your tacos with all the toppings and enjoy!