Slow Cooker Shredded Beef is an easy and delicious way to make a moist, flavorful, and juicy beef filling for tacos, quesadillas or nachos. This is the perfect weeknight meal to change up your Taco Tuesday.
What you’ll need to make slow cooker shredded beef
Most importantly, you’ll need a crockpot. I use one from Calphalon- I got it before we got married, and unfortunately it’s not made any longer. But it’s lasted for years! Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:
- flank steak
- kosher salt
- cumin
- dried oregano
- chili lime seasoning (I get one from Trader Joe’s) – if you can’t find chili lime seasoning, you can omit it, or add paprika
- black pepper
- cayenne pepper
- tomato paste
- lime juice
- beef broth
- onion
- garlic
- diced green chilis
- cilantro
What is flank steak? Flank steak is a generally inexpensive cut of meat; it’s similar to skirt steak, but leaner. Some people also refer to this cut of meat as “London Broil.” Flank steak surprisingly cooks really well in the crockpot. When fully cooked, it shreds really easily.
How to prepare the beef
Just like any slow cooker recipe, you really only need to combine your ingredients in the slow cooker and let it cook. But for this recipe, the beef gets some special treatment. So before we get to the slow cooker, let’s work on the meat. Usually, flank steak is pretty lean. But sometimes it might have a fat cap along the bottom. Be sure to trim that off just to make sure the crockpot sauce doesn’t become too fatty and oily.
Next, to flavor the beef really well, you’re going to make a spice rub. It sounds fancy, but I promise it’s easy. Just combine the salt, cumin, oregano, chili lime seasoning, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Congratulations, you’ve made a spice rub! Next, rub the spice rub on the top and bottom of the flank steak. Work it into the meat with your fingers so that it really gets in there. Once your meat has the spice rub on it, it’s ready to get put into the slow cooker.
Cooking slow cooker shredded beef in the crock pot
Here’s the really easy part. First, chop your onion and mince your garlic and add them to the bottom of your slow cooker. Next, add in the tomato paste, lime juice, beef broth, and the diced green chilis. Use a whisk to break down the tomato paste and make sure everything is distributed evenly. Next, submerge your meat into the slow cooker and toss it to coat. Nestle it in real good! Then set your slow cooker on low for 6 hours.
Remove the beef from the slow cooker and place it onto a cutting board. Slice it up and shred it with two forks, and then return it into the crockpot. Now, this will cook for another one hour on low. This will allow all of the juices to soak into the meat and become flavorful and tender.
At this point, the beef is done. This is the point where I like to add the fresh cilantro for some extra brightness and flavor. I found dried cilantro at the supermarket the last time I went, and I picked up a bottle. I like to keep it on hand, especially during the winter months when maybe my fresh produce isn’t as plentiful, and I rely more on my pantry. Remember, if you use dried herbs instead of fresh, always use a fraction of what the recipe calls for. In this case, a sprinkle of dried cilantro will do.
How to serve slow cooker shredded beef
My favorite way to serve this beef is on toasted corn tortillas with all the fixin’s. I use these corn tortillas from Mission. They are the extra thin variety. To make them more interesting, I crisp them up in a frying pan with cooking spray and some kosher salt. They come out absolutely delicious like this. Keep your heat on medium high so you don’t burn them.
I also like to serve the beef with a delicious avocado salsa. Avocado, tomato, onion, lime juice, salt, and cilantro. It couldn’t be easier, and the best part is, I don’t measure the ingredients! Just season to taste. You can’t mess this up.
Next, take your crisped tortilla and pile on some shredded iceberg, followed by the cooked beef. Then, top with the avocado salsa. Add sour cream, cheese, and any other toppings you enjoy on your tacos.
The end result are the most delicious tacos you’ll ever have; you won’t believe that you made them at home, and in the slow cooker nonetheless! Serve this shredded beef in a bowl format with rice, corn, avocado, salsa, and all the toppings you enjoy in a burrito bowl.
Slow Cooker Shredded Beef
Equipment
- slow cooker, crockpot
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb flank steak, trimmed, lean, raw
spice rub
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp chili lime seasoning, can substitute paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 oz diced green chilis
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- In the bottom of the slow cooker add the tomato paste, diced green chilis, broth, lime juice, onion, and garlic and whisk together.
- In a separate bowl, combine the spice rub ingredients (salt, cumin, oregano, chili lime seasoning, pepper, cayenne) and massage into the meat on all sides.
- Place the meat in the slow cooker and toss so the liquid covers the meat on all sides.
- Cook on low for 6 hours.
- After 6 hours, shred and chop the beef and return it to the slow cooker for another hour on low.
- Once done, add the fresh cilantro.
Notes
Nutrition
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Alli Lamb says
So good! We do taco night a lot and this was a great way to change it up!
Leah Young says
This was so good! It’s a very unique flavor and I made several meals from it. I had leftovers on top of a baked potato and it was super good that way too. I have made this several times. You won’t be disappointed.
Holli says
I’ve made this several times – love it!! The crema is also delicious and used all the time with Mexican dishes.
Christina says
I’ve made this recipe a few times and my husband and I absolutely love it! It’s so delicious. I’ve passed the recipe along to quite a few people and everyone raves about it!
Kathleen says
Made this tonight, first time. SO easy and delicious! A great way to change up face night, definitely will be added to our recipe rotation for sure!
Fran Schimmenti says
So delicious. Make this all the time now.!
Cheri says
What do you serve this on? Your tortillas look so delicious. Do you fry them? What kind do you use? Also what do you serve on top? Thank you for your delicious recipes.
Taylor says
The answers to all of your questions are in the blog post!
Joann says
Whete can I find the crema recipe? Please
Gabby says
Can you cook this in a Dutch oven? How long would you need to cook it for?
Barb Hickman says
Delicious! Nice to have such tasty beef shredded and ready to go for dinner tonight. The fresh veggie salsa and crema were the perfect additions! Don’t forget to warm the corn tortillas in a lightly sprayed hot pan with kosher salt and your corn tortillas are slightly crispy and salty. So So good! Thanks Stephanie!
Sharon says
So delicious!! Everyone loved it!!
Jo says
Fantastic recipe! Flavorful and easy to make. My family especially loved the toasted corn tortillas – what a great change from flour. Thank you! I’m looking forward to trying more of your recipes.
Terri says
Absolutely delicious!! Will definitely make again!!!
Shannon says
I made these for the first time and they couldn’t have been easier or tastier! I felt like I was at a nice restaurant eating these! Amazing!!!
Jana says
Easy and flavorful, like any great weeknight repeat recipe should be!
Emily says
So good!! I made it with skirt steak and it was so flavorful and tender and just so delicious!! Will 1000% make again!
Taylor says
So delicious and easy to make! The beef is so flavorful and made for delicious tacos.
Francesca says
Made for my family and they loved it!
Joanne says
I made this tonite and it is super tasty. I plan to use the left over meat to top a salad or baked sweet potato. Will definitely make this again.
Lauren says
Loved this! So easy to make and it came out perfect. Definitely going to mKe this again the future.
Maranda says
We make this every couple of weeks! Delicious and so easy!
Beth Bix says
My whole family loved this! It was fairly simple and super flavorful. My store was out of green chilis so I added 4oz. of Rotel instead. We just put lettuce and store bought avocado salsa on top. We also really loved preparing the corn tortillas this way. It gave them a great taste and a little crunch and they didn’t fall apart.
Lindsey says
Soooo much flavor!! My stores were out of flank and skirt steak, but I really wanted to make this recipe. I swapped out for a trimmed angus Chuck roast and it turned out great! I think the texture would be better with flank steak Steph used, but the flavor is so good either way! This wil definitely be added in the regular rotation.
Jules says
Hi! Is it really just 1/2c beef broth? It didn’t even cover the bottom of my crock pot. Thanks!
Chelsea Pry says
Best tacos I have ever eaten!!! I made the avocado salsa and also toasted the extra thin tortillas. This was amazing!!!!!!!!
Kristy says
So easy to make and the whole family loved it!
Karen says
I made this tonight for the first time and it’s absolutely delicious! Will definitely make again!
Nicole Gregory says
Made this to change up my typical Taco Tuesday weekly dinner and it was a hit! The whole family loved it. This recipe was quick to prep which is an extra bonus! Will be making this again!
Daniela says
Made this for the first time tonight and it’s delicious! It was a hit in my house.
Stephanie says
Great alternative to having the same old taco! My family loves this one! When the entire family loves a recipe, that’s a true WIN in the kitchen!
Marcelle says
Another go to. For tacos, taquitos, burritos and more. Perfect flavor and so simple.
Angela Michaelidis says
This is a big hit in my house for taco night!
Kristin says
This was soooo good! My family loved it. I had never cooked flank steak before and it turned out perfect. The sauce with the meat on little tacos was very flavorful 😊
Shannon says
Amazing! Super simple to assemble and the flavor was perfect! Thank you!
Diane says
So simple, so flavorful! Tastes like I went to the local Mexican restaurant, but I can control the ingredients and so much cheaper and even easier than running out to pick up take out!
Regina says
So, so easy and so, so delicious!!!
Ifeta says
This was perfect so busy mom! I have 4 kids all in elementary school and needed something easy to make. I threw it all together in the morning and the house smelt like heaven! It was perfectly seasoned and flavorful. Perfect change up for tacos instead of traditional ground beef! Definitely adding in my meal rotation especially for busy days!
Nicole says
This was absolutely delicious! My family loved it! I served it with Spanish rice and black beans.
Tammy says
So easy and delicious!! Will be adding to our family rotation!
Katie says
What a winner of a dish! I made this last night for my aunt and myself and wow was it delicious! I made mine into tacos and she had hers over rice, both ways were absolutely delicious. My mouth is watering a little just thinking about the leftovers I’m about to enjoy for lunch! I did accidently double the spice rub; my thoughts got mixed up is the simplest way I can put it, lol. Other than that I followed the recipe as stated and it turned out amazing, will definitely be in the regular recipe rotation!
Megan says
So delicious and easy to make!
Samantha Andryauskas says
One of the best recipes EVER. So easy, simple and delicious. Absolutely loved it!
Catherine Myers says
This recipe is delicious!! I have made it with London broil and cap cuts and it is delicious. It makes a lot as well so there are leftovers. My family loves it.
Jill G says
This was such a nice change for taco night. The beef was super tender and juicy. Will definitely be adding into dinner rotation
Mary says
I was kind of nervous that this might be a tad bit spicy for myself and the kids but I was so wrong! Hands down the most delicious tacos we have had on Taco Tuesday in a long time! The kids and husband loved them!
Grace says
This is in our permanent rotation for tacos! The first time we had it, my first thought was “this tastes like a restaurant meal.” It is so, so delicious! I highly recommend it! I substitute Tajín for the Trader Joe’s chili lime seasoning.
Monica says
Hi, if I double this recipe, will it still cook on low for 7 hrs or do I need to adjust heat temp/time?