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Slow Cooker Mexican Beef Recipe

4.5 from 147 reviews
  • Author: Nora
  • Prep Time: 8 minutes
  • Cook Time: 540 minutes
  • Total Time: 548 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Description

This Slow Cooker Mexican Beef recipe features a tender, flavorful beef roast seasoned with a blend of chili powder, oregano, and onion powder, slowly cooked until perfectly fork-tender. Ideal for use in burritos, tacos, nachos, or as a savory main dish, this set-it-and-forget-it meal offers authentic Mexican-inspired flavors with minimal effort.


Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Seasoning

  • 3 pound beef roast (shoulder or chuck)
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Other Ingredients

  • 1 onion, sliced
  • ¼ cup beef broth or water


Instructions

  1. Prepare the seasoning mix: In a small bowl, combine the salt, chili powder, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder thoroughly to create the spice rub.
  2. Season the beef roast: Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the beef roast, patting it down gently to ensure the spices adhere well to the meat.
  3. Set up the slow cooker: Place the sliced onions at the bottom of the slow cooker, then pour in the beef broth or water to add moisture for the cooking process.
  4. Cook the beef: Place the seasoned beef roast on top of the onions in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the meat is fork-tender and easily shreddable.
  5. Drain and shred: Remove the excess liquid from the slow cooker, leaving about 1 cup to keep the beef moist. Using two forks or meat claws, shred the beef into bite-sized pieces.

Notes

  • The slow cooker creates tender and flavorful shredded beef that’s perfect for a variety of Mexican dishes like burritos, tacos, and nachos.
  • You can adjust the seasoning to your taste preference by adding more chili powder for extra heat.
  • Leftover shredded beef can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
  • If you prefer a richer flavor, sear the beef roast in a hot skillet before slow cooking to develop a deeper crust.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 315 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 611 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 33 g
  • Cholesterol: 117 mg