Mexican Shredded Beef And Tacos

This is a reader-favourite recipe included by popular demand in my debut cookbook “Dinner”!

Mexican Shredded Beef

I have a “thing” about shredded meats. I just love how it acts like a mop for sauces, so every mouthful is so juicy. From Shredded Chicken Tacos to Pulled Chicken Nachos, Shredded Beef Ragu Pasta and Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken and Rice Soup to Crispy Chinese Shredded Chicken, if the eating experience is better when the meat is shredded – I shred it. And Mexican Shredded Beef makes the cut – tenfold!! In fact, I adore it so much I’ve recently published another version – Beef Barbacoa. This version is slightly tangy and punching through with flavour from chipotle chillies! The sauce for this Mexican Shredded Beef is loaded with big flavours – and there’s PLENTY of it!

What goes in Slow Cooker Mexican Beef

There’s a ton of spices in this that makes up the flavour of the braising liquid which becomes the sauce! The secret ingredient is orange juice – it’s actually quite a common ingredient in Mexican cuisine. For example, it’s used in Carnitas (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork) and the marinade for Chicken Fajitas. It doesn’t make the broth taste orangey at all – it totally transforms when slow cooked, and adds a touch of sweetness and flavour into the sauce.

How to make Slow Cooker Mexican Beef

The making part is very straightforward and mostly hands off time:

What to make with Mexican Shredded Beef

The beauty of this Mexican Beef is that it’s 100% freezer friendly and can be used for dozens of dishes, making it a brilliant standby for quick meals. Here’s just a few ideas:

Obvious uses

Some less obvious, mighty tasty ideas

Shredded Beef Tacos

Here’s what I use to make a simple Shredded Beef Tacos spread- something that’s super quick to assemble:

This Mexican Shredded BeefWarmed or charred tortillasPico de Gallo (Mexican Salsa)Sour creamLime wedgesFresh lime wedgesFresh coriander/cilantro leaves, whole or finely chopped

You won’t need a separate sauce because this shredded beef is so juicy and saucy. So really, if you have a batch of this Mexican Beef on hand, then you’re just 15 minutes away from the taco spread pictured above because all you have to make is the Pico de Gallo (and if that’s all too hard, just slice some tomatoes!!) – Nagi x

Watch how to make it

This recipe features in my debut cookbook Dinner. The book is mostly new recipes, but this is a reader favourite included by popular demand! Originally published September 2015, updated July 2019 with new photos, new video, new step photos and Life of Dozer section added. No change to recipe!