Description

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef is a flavorful, tender, and versatile dish perfect for busy days. This recipe requires minimal effort, slow-cooking beef chuck roast with aromatic spices, broth, and savory ingredients to create juicy, melt-in-your-mouth beef that pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides or can be used in tacos, sandwiches, and more.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

3 to 4 lbs beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat

Liquids and Sauces

1 ½ cups beef broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Vegetables and Aromatics

1 large onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced

Spices

1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Prepare the beef: Trim any excess fat from your beef chuck roast and season it generously with salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika. This layering of seasoning creates a flavorful base for the dish.
Sear the meat (optional): Heat a bit of oil in a pan over medium-high heat and sear the roast on all sides until browned. This caramelization locks in juices and adds complexity, though this step can be skipped if you are short on time.
Layer ingredients in the slow cooker: Place the sliced onions and minced garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the seared (or unseared) beef on top. Pour in the beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and sprinkle any remaining spices evenly over everything.
Slow cook low and slow: Cover and cook the beef on low for 8 to 10 hours, or on high for 5 to 6 hours. The slow cooking gently breaks down connective tissues, resulting in ultra-tender meat that shreds easily.
Shred and mix: Remove the beef from the slow cooker, letting it rest briefly to cool slightly for easier shredding. Use two forks to shred the beef finely, then return it to the slow cooker and stir well into the juices to soak up maximum flavor before serving.

Notes

Choose well-marbled beef chuck roast for the best tenderness and moisture.
Searing the meat adds deeper flavor but can be skipped for convenience.
Use fresh garlic and onion for vibrant aromatics.
Check liquid levels during cooking and add more beef broth if needed to keep the meat moist.
Allow the beef to rest slightly before shredding to improve texture and ease.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 to 10 hours (low) or 5 to 6 hours (high)
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 oz shredded beef)
Calories: 320
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 6 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: thirty-five g
Cholesterol: 110 mg