Salsa Shredded Beef (Slow Cooker) Recipe

"This is so easy, it's hardly a recipe. Dump it all into the slow cooker / crock pot in the morning, set it on low, and eat it for dinner. I use chunky Pace Picante (medium heat) and whatever off-brand taco seasoning packet is in my cupboard. You can use this shredded beef for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, taco salads, etc. Some cuts of roast beef don't shred as well as others... if yours won't shred, pull it out of the slow cooker and chop it up and add it back in to simmer in the sauce. It will taste just as good. Make sure you use a salsa you LIKE!"

Ingredients

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3-4 pound beef roast (such as a chuck roast or rump roast)
16-24 ounces salsa (your favorite brand, with your heat preference)

1 Taco Seasoning Packet (the weight varies by brand)

Nutritional

Serving Size: 1 (304.6 g)
Calories 574.5
Total Fat - 40 g
Saturated Fat - 16.1 g
Cholesterol - 210.9 mg
Sodium - 679 mg
Total Carbohydrate - 6.5 g
Dietary Fiber - 1.5 g
Sugars - 3 g
Protein - 45.1 g
Calcium - 65.7 mg
Iron - 4 mg
Vitamin C - 1.4 mg
Thiamin - 0.2 mg

Step by Step Method

Step 1

Place beef in crock pot (sometimes I spray with non-stick spray; it depends on which crock pot I'm using).

Step 2

Sprinkle contents of taco seasoning packet over the beef.

Step 3

Pour jarred salsa over the beef.

Step 4

Set to low and cook about 8 hours. (Beef will easily shred when it's ready to be served.)

Step 5

Shred beef with two forks and stir well.

Editorial Notes

The ingredient tips, suggestions, variations, facts, questions and answers below are not edits to the original author's recipe. They are not meant to imply any change would improve the recipe. They're offered for convenience, alternative ideas, and points of interest. If you have any comments about them, please post in the Help & Ideas forum.

Tips for selecting ingredients

Choose a salsa that you like the flavor of, as it will be the main flavor of the dish.
Look for a cut of beef that will shred easily, such as chuck roast or rump roast.

Ingredient substitutions

Substitute the beef roast with a pork shoulder roast. The benefit of this substitution is that pork shoulder is a great cut of meat for slow cooking and shredding. Its higher fat content also ensures a juicy and flavorful meal.
Substitute the taco seasoning packet with a homemade blend of spices. The benefit of this substitution is that it allows you to customize the flavor of the dish to your taste, as well as control the amount of salt and other ingredients used.

Variations

Mexican-Style Salsa Shredded Beef Place beef in crock pot. Sprinkle contents of taco seasoning packet over the beef. Pour jarred salsa over the beef. Add a can of black beans, 1/2 cup of corn, 1/2 cup of diced tomatoes, and 1/4 cup of diced onions. Set to low and cook about 8 hours. (Beef will easily shred when it's ready to be served.) Shred beef with two forks and stir well.

Serve with

Mexican Rice: This delicious side dish is the perfect accompaniment to the Salsa Shredded Beef. The combination of flavors and textures is unbeatable. The rice is cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce and seasoned with cumin, garlic, and onion. It's a great way to add a little extra kick to the meal!

Refried Beans: Refried beans are a great complement to the Mexican Rice. They provide a creamy, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the rice. Plus, they are easy to make and are a great source of protein. Serve these along with the Salsa Shredded Beef for a complete and flavorful meal.

FAQ

Q: How can I make sure the beef shreds easily?

A: Make sure you use a cut of beef that is suitable for shredding, such as a chuck roast or rump roast. If it doesn't shred easily, pull it out of the slow cooker and chop it up and add it back in to simmer in the sauce.

Q: What temperature should I cook the beef at?

A: Cook the beef on low heat for 8-10 hours or on high heat for 4-5 hours. The internal temperature of the beef should reach at least 145°F when it is done.

Fun facts:

The origin of salsa dates back to the Aztec Empire, where a condiment called "salsa" was made from chili peppers and tomatoes.

Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Blake Lively have both professed their love for Mexican-style dishes such as tacos, burritos, and of course, salsa shredded beef.