Shredded Beef Tacos

These Shredded Beef Tacos are juicy, meaty, and rich in flavor. Served with a thick and savory sauce, you’ll want to use the meat in not only tacos, but also burritos, enchiladas, and more! You can make it in the Instant Pot, crock pot, or on the stovetop, so it’ll become a weekly favorite with the first meaty bite.

about these shredded beef tacos

Juicy, flavorful, and meaty… That’s all the words I need to use to describe these tacos.

Shredded meat tacos are superior to ground meat tacos. Yes, I said it. You cannot change my mind. They are juicy, savory, and never ever dry. Tender meat that has been cooked in a medley of spices and savory juices always stands out beyond the standard combo of crumbled meat and store bought taco seasoning.

The best part about this recipe is that you get to choose how you cook it! Short on time? Use the Instant Pot. Want to have it ready when you get home from work? Break out the crockpot! Have time to let it simmer away for a couple of hours? The stovetop it is.

This is going to become a weeknight staple in your home if you are a taco fanatic! With minimal effort and maximum flavor, it’s a win-win every time in terms of ease of cooking and outstanding flavor.

Set out your favorite toppings and you have a taco bar party on your hands!

ingredients

spices. To make the most flavorful spice rub, you will need chipotle powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, coriander, salt, black pepper, chili powder, ground allspice, and ground cumin.

oil. Use olive oil or canola oil in this recipe.

beef. We like to use boneless beef chuck roast for this recipe, but you can also use rump roast or brisket!

garlic. Do yourself a favor and pick up a jar of minced garlic! It’s an easy way to cut out valuable prep tie.

onion. You can use a yellow onion or a white onion for this recipe.

juices. Both orange and lemon juices are used in this recipe! Fresh is preferred, but store bought also works!

tomatoes. Crushed tomatoes are used to help flavor the sauce!

stock. Beef stock is preferred for the flavor, but vegetable stock also works. You can also use beef broth!

this recipe’s must haves

You will need a sharp chef’s knife and cutting board to prep the ingredients for this recipe. Measuring cups and measuring spoons also come in handy. Don’t forget a set of mixing bowls too!

For cooking the meat, you can use your favorite Instant Pot (like the Instant Pot Duo or Instant Pot Ultra), a Dutch oven (or large pot), or a slow cooker.

All you need to shred the meat is a couple of forks!

here’s how to make shredded beef tacos

make seasoning

Stir together all of the seasonings for the spice rub in a small bowl until well-combined. Coat the meat chunks with about 4 to 5 tsp of the spice mix, rubbing it all over in an even layer.

choose your preferred cooking method

You can make this meat in the Instant Pot, in the slow cooker, or on the stovetop. Depending on your preferred cooking method, the instructions will be different. The good news is, the basic steps are the same!

You will need to start by searing the meat chunks on all sides. Then cook down the onion and garlic, until the onion is translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Now it just depends on your cooking method! You can pressure cook it with the liquid, let it cook slowly in the slow cooker, or let simmer on the stovetop.

shred meat

Once the meat is tender, remove it from the liquid and shred with two forks.

thicken sauce

While shredded the meat, bring the liquid to a boil and cook until thickened, about 10 to 15 minutes. Return the meat to the sauce and stir to coat. Serve in tacos with the sauce on the side in a bowl for dipping, if desired.

tips and variations

adjust the spice level. You can use more or less chipotle powder in this recipe based on how spicy you like your tacos! Exact measurement notes can be found in the notes of the Recipe Card, as well as the FAQs below.

use the right cut of beef. Chuck roast is best but brisket or rump roast will work as well!

repurpose the meat in other ways! Instead of making more tacos, try the meat on nachos, in a burrito, or even in a wrap.

More savory beef recipes: Rigatoni al Forno | French Dip Sandwiches | Instant Pot Pot Roast | Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu

is this beef spicy?

This beef does have some heat! The heat comes from the chipotle powder and chili powder in the spice rub. If you don’t like a lot of heat, you can easily adjust the level of spice by reducing the amount of chipotle powder in the recipe. For a mild heat, use 1/2 Tbsp to 1 Tbsp chipotle powder. To get a medium heat level (our preference), use 1 Tbsp to 1 1/2 Tbsp chipotle powder. If you want high heat, use 1 1/2 Tbsp to 2 Tbsp chipotle powder.

what do you put on shredded beef tacos?

Top your tacos with whatever your heart desires! Our favorite toppings include sliced avocado, cojita cheese, and freshly chopped cilantro. Other tasty additions are diced onion, charred corn kernels, salsa, sour cream, and even fried onions.

what cut of beef is best for this recipe?

We recommend using either the chuck roast, rump roast, or even a brisket for this particular recipe. Chuck roast is much easier to find, plus it’s a lot cheaper.

can I make these tacos ahead of time?

Yes, the meat can be made ahead of time! The tender shredded beef will last in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days. It’s super easy to reheat, whether you do so in a skillet or in the microwave. It is a great option for meal prep to use in tacos, burritos, salads, and more.

how do you shred the beef?

All you need is a couple of forks to shred the beef! It will be so tender and juicy when it’s done cooking that the beef shred so easily. It will basically be falling apart!

You could also place the meat in a large bowl and use an electric hand mixer to shred the beef to get it done quickly.

how do I get that char on my tortillas?

Use your gas stove! I turn on a burner and place the tortilla directly on top of the grate for about 30 seconds on each size until it is charred to your liking. You can also use a kitchen torch, but we don’t find that to be as effective.

If you don’t have a gas stove, simply warm the flour tortillas wrapped in a damp paper towel in the microwave for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

can you use frozen beef?

If your meat is cut into large chunks already, you can use it in the Instant Pot instructions for the recipe. Skip the searing step and note that it may take a bit longer for the Instant Pot to come to pressure. If your cut of meat is whole and frozen, thaw it completely before cooking.

Need some inspiration for dinners this week? Check out my dinner recipes page!

what to serve with shredded beef tacos

You get to choose – flour tortilla or corn tortilla? This beef taco recipe goes with all you favorite toppings whether it’s chunky salsa, guacamole, pineapple mango salsa, roasted chili corn salsa, sliced avocado, pico de gallo, refried beans, cilantro lime rice, or sour cream. We like to top the meat with a drizzle of extra cooking liquid, sliced avocado, cojito cheese, and chopped cilantro. Serve them up with your favorite margarita for the best meal! Try our limeade margaritas, lemon agave margarita, cucumber margarita, or texas margarita if you don’t know where to start. Want something fruity? Make a blueberry margarita or a raspberry margarita. For something more tropical, enjoy a creamy coconut margarita!

This meat is awesome for serving up at a taco bar party! Set out warmed tortillas, salsa, sour cream, lime wedges, fresh cilantro, and more.

Wondering if there other ways to serve up this savory, juicy meat? Try it out in nachos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, sliders, empanadas, and whatever else you decide! The options are endless.

how to store and reheat

Store. Cool the Mexican shredded beef completely before placing in an airtight container. The meat will last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The extra juices can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Reheat. Meat can be reheated either on the stovetop in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. I like to reheat the excess liquid in a saucepan over medium heat.

Freeze. With proper storage, this beef can be frozen. Cool the meat to room temperature, then place in a freezer safe container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. The excess liquid can also be frozen in an airtight container!

Thaw. Thaw meat and excess liquid in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat as instructed above.

more addictive taco recipes

My favorite chicken tacos? These Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Tacos! They are simple to make and the chicken can be used in tacos, on nachos, and more.

Fried Avocado Tacos are a crispy and creamy vegetarian dinner that you’ll love.

Make this chicken taco seasoning at home and skip buying the store bought stuff to get the best flavor possible!

Want tacos for an appetizer? Make this tasty taco dip for your next gathering!

Finally, if you make this shredded beef tacos recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!