Home · Recipes · Main Dishes Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos Author: Maryanne CabreraPublished: Apr 30, 2014Updated: Jul 26, 2023 View Recipe4 ReviewsThis post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy. Use your slow cooker or multi-cooker to make these easy shredded beef tacos! Garnish with quick carrot and cabbage slaw. I love my oven. It allows me to bake wonderful cakes, decadent brownies, and lovely apple pies. However, when it comes to savory stews, braises and dishes of that nature, my oven becomes a source of frustration. I have a large oven that produces a heck of a lot of heat. It turns the entire house into a sauna. Because of the way the house is laid out, the heat spreads everywhere. I don’t have enough windows to open to let all the steam out. While my baked good take at most one hour, braises meats can take many hours… That’s hours of me sweating and feeling uncomfortable. For that reason, I’m giving my oven a vacation and I’m turning these shredded beef tacos into an easy slow cooker meal! Carne Deshebrada I learned about these beef tacos from Cook’s Illustrated. The original recipe takes three hours to cook in the oven. It takes roughly fours hours in the slow cooker. The original recipe calls for boneless beef short ribs, which can be pretty pricey. Instead, I opted for the less expensive boneless beef chuck. Although beef chuck roast is a tough piece of meat, it contains a great deal of connective tissues- which makes it great for braised dishes. How to Prepare Dried Ancho Chilis Often when working with chile peppers, it is best to wear gloves. Have a little trash bowl available. Slice off the stem of the chile. Invert the chile and shake over the trash bowl to dislodge any loose seeds. Slice the chile open and remove the remaining seeds. Be sure to also remove the center membrane where the seeds are attached. That part of the chile pepper holds all the heat. Once chile has been stemmed and seeded, tear the remaining skin into small 2-inch pieces. Remove cooked beef chunks from slow cooker pot and transfer to a large pot. Use two forks to shred the beef. Pour blended sauce over shredded beef. Toss to combine. Season with salt to taste. Get ready to build yourself some tacos! Note: Shredded beef can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. Gently reheat before serving. You can also use leftover beef to fill empanadas, quesadillas, or use it to top nachos! The beef is very flavorful. The spices in this dish are unlike any beef taco I’ve tasted. I really like the combination of cinnamon and cumin. The vibrant slaw adds a nice touch of acidity and freshness that makes me crave more tacos! Slow Cooked Shredded Beef Tacos // Carne Deshebrada Super flavorful shredded beef spiced with cinnamon, cumin, and ancho chili. The original recipe calls for boneless beef short ribs. This version uses less expensive boneless beef chuck for an equally delicious substitute! Prep Time: 15 minutes minutesCook Time: 4 hours hoursTotal Time: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes Servings: 6 Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe IngredientsBeef:1 ½ cup full bodied lager or ale beer½ cup apple cider vinegar2 oz dried ancho chili steam and seeds discarded2 Tbsp tomato paste6 garlic cloves, sliced2 teaspoon ground cumin2 teaspoon dried oregano2 teaspoon kosher salt½ teaspoon ground cinnamon1 large onion cut into ½-inch thick rounds3 pounds boneless beef chuck cut into 2-inch cubesCarrot and Cabbage Slaw:1 cup apple cider vinegar½ cup water1 Tbsp granulated sugar2 teaspoon kosher salt½ head cabbage shredded1 onion thinly sliced1 medium carrot cut into matchsticks2 jalapeños seeded, minced1 cup chopped cilantroOther Components:small corn tortillas as neededcrumbled queso fresco as neededlime wedges for serving Instructions Shredded Beef:In the slow cooker pot, whisk together beer, apple cider vinegar, torn anchos, tomato paste, garlic, cumin, oregano, salt and cinnamon.Arrange sliced onion rounds in a single layer in the pot. Place beef chunks over the onions. The onions will protect the beef from the heat at the bottom of the pot. If needed, gently push down the beef so it is covered with the sauce.Cover slow cooker with lid and cook for 4-5 hours on low heat. Cook until the beef is browned and tender.Use kitchen tongs to transfer cooked beef to a large bowl. Set aside.Remove onion rings from slow cooker pot and discard. Take remaining cooking sauce and transfer to a blender. Puree until smooth. Alternatively, use an immersion blender. Reserve sauce.Use two forks to shred cooked beef. Pour reserved sauce over shredded beef. Toss to coat beef in sauce. Season with salt as necessary.Carrot and Cabbage Slaw:In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, water, sugar, and salt until sugar has dissolved.Add cabbage, onion, carrots, and jalapeño. Toss to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and let chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours).Drain liquid. Toss in cilantro. Keep chilled until ready to serve. NotesNote: Shredded beef can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. Gently reheat before serving. You can also use leftover beef to fill empanadas, quesadillas, or use it to top nachos! ADAPTED FROM COOK’S ILLUSTRATED MARCH/APRIL 2014 Author: Maryanne Cabrera Course: Main CourseCuisine: MexicanKeyword: shreded beef taco, slow cooker beef tacos, carne deshebrada Did you make this recipe?Show us on Instagram! Tag @littleepicurean and hashtag #littleepicurean. More Taco Recipes Chipotle Braised Pork Tacos Chorizo Potato Tacos Chicken Tacos
Xander says: April 30, 2014 Those tacos look delicious! The slaw looks very similar to a Curtido, which is one of my favorite condiments. Looking forward to making this in the future! Reply
Maryanne Cabrera says: April 30, 2014 Thanks! You’ll have to teach me that Curtido you’re talking about :)
Karoline Hurd says: May 3, 2018 I make these tacos every year for our Christmas Eve party. But mini tacos and I have to double the beef! It’s delicious and afavorite every year so I’ll make them tomorrow for our Cinco de Derby Party Saturday! Reply
Maryanne Cabrera says: May 4, 2018 Thanks! That’s wonderful to hear. I’m so glad you enjoy the recipe! Enjoy your celebrations this weekend!