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    Home » Recipes » Slow-Cooker Recipes

    Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef

    Updated: Jan 1, 2026 · Published: Apr 29, 2020 by Eileen Murphy Kelly

    Jump to Recipe
    Servings 8 servings
    Prep 15 minutes mins
    Cook 8 hours hrs
    Mexican Shredded Beef Pinterest Pin

    Mouthwatering Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef is a set-and-forget recipe that uses real ingredients. It is perfect for busy people who want a great dinner without a lot of fuss. The beef is juicy, tender, and perfect for everything from tacos to enchiladas, quesadillas, and beef burrito bowls.

    Shredded Mexican Beef in a bowl with rice, lettuce, and tomatoes.

    For specifics on the recipe use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef
    • Ingredients to make Crock Pot Mexican Shredded Beef
    • Kitchen tools to make Mexican Shredded Beef
    • How to make the Best Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef
    • Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
    • Eileen's Tips for the best Crockpot Mexican Beef
    • Variations for Mexican Shredded Beef
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe Ideas for Shredded Mexican Beef from Tacos to Quesadillas
    • Toppings for Mexican Shredded Beef
    • More Beef Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 📖 Recipe
    •  
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you'll love Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef

    • We use an affordable cut of beef that will deliver tender and juicy results.
    • You can make this recipe ahead of time. It freezes well.
    • The recipe can be made in the slow cooker or stove top.
    • This is a great base recipe to use for many meals, from bowls to enchiladas. Perfect for meal planning.

    Then, you get to enjoy juicy, perfectly seasoned, tender beef. Feel free to create a variety of recipe ideas, from the shredded beef recipe.

    Ingredients to make Crock Pot Mexican Shredded Beef

    Slow cooker Mexican shredded beef ingredients with text overlay.

    This is an overview of the ingredients. The measurements and full list is in the recipe card below.

    Mexican Rump Roast Seasonings

    • beef rump roast: Rump roast is an inexpensive cut of meat. Chuck Roast or Bottom Round Roast can also be used for the Shredded Beef protein.
    • seasonings and spices: I use a combination of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to add flavor to the rump roast. I also add a few essential spices to add a powerhouse of flavor to the meat and sauce.
    • Avocado oil: Through recipe testing, I found avocado oil has a high smoke point and is my favorite for searing.
    • large yellow onion
    • fresh garlic cloves
    • fire-roasted diced tomatoes include the juices
    • large jalapeno
    • beef broth - The broth is the base of the sauce. Fat- free beef broth or low-sodium beef broth can be used.
    • lime juice - The juice adds citrus to balance the spices.
    • fresh cilantro or parsley for optional garnish

    Kitchen tools to make Mexican Shredded Beef

    • Ninja 8-1 Slow Cooker
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups
    • meat claw

    How to make the Best Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef

    This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

    A seasoned rump roast being browned to make shredded beef for Mexican shredded beef.
    1. Season the roast and sear on all sides to brown.
    A white slow cooker vessel with sliced onions, tomatoes,
    1. Add the vegetables and spices to the slow cooker.
    Slow cooker vessel with a browned rump roast, onions, fire roasted tomatoes and seasonings to make Mexican shredded beef.
    1. Add the beef broth and meat to the slow cooker
    Shredded beef, Mexican style in a silver tray with onions, jalapenos, and tomatoes around the beef.
    1. Slow cook on Low for 7 to 8 hours or High for 4 to 5 hours.
    Slow cooker vessel with shredded beef with Mexican flavors.

    Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips

    Storage - This recipe is easy to make ahead of time, up to 2-3 days. It can be kept in the fridge in a covered container. The shredded beef freezes well. My tip: when a roast is on sale, I always buy one or two for this recipe to keep in the freezer. Defrost overnight in the fridge and use the beef in any of your favorite.

    Eileen's Tips for the best Crockpot Mexican Beef

    • Make Ahead: This is an easy recipe to make overnight in the fridge and use the beef in any of your favorite.
    • Trim the beef of excess fat before seasoning.
    • Timing: Using the slow cooker, cook on low for about 7 - 8 hours on low heat or 4-5 hours on low.
    • This calculation is slow cooking 2 hours for every pound of meat. For high heat, 1 hour for every pound produces tender results.
    • Stovetop instructions are included in the recipe card below.
    • Flavor: Browning the meat is an extra step, but it adds amazing flavor to the meat. I have made this without browning the meat, but the flavor is superior with the extra browning step.
    • Shredding the Beef: To shred the beef, use either meat claws or two forks to pull the meat apart.

    Variations for Mexican Shredded Beef

    Here are some ways to change the flavor of this dish.

    • Rump Roast: Rump roast is my favorite cut for this recipe. A tougher cut of meat that holds up in slow cooking. Chuck roast and bottom round are also great with this recipe. I have found the rump roast to be so affordable and easy to use.
    • Peppers: Jalapenos are a great choice. Poplano peppers will work too.
    • Tomatoes: I have made this with salsa verde for a twist on flavors.
    Shredded Mexican Beef with lime wedges made in the slow cooker.

    Serving Suggestions

    Having a party?

    Make a taco table with this shredded beef, and add Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas,  Slow-Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup, and don't forget the classic Frito Pie recipe, all delicious!

    Don't forget a batch of tasty Skinny Pineapple Mango Frozen Margarita with Chili Salt Rim, they are amazing and about 180 calories per serving! YUMMY!

    Recipe Ideas for Shredded Mexican Beef from Tacos to Quesadillas

    Then, you get to enjoy juicy, perfectly seasoned, tender beef. Feel free to create many recipe ideas, from rump roast tacos, quesadillas, beef burrito bowls, to beef enchiladas.

    Toppings for Mexican Shredded Beef

    Pico De Gallo

    Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

    Guacamole

    Sour Cream and Salsa are also wonderful options.

    More Beef Recipes

    • Slow Cooker Italian beef on Italian bread with provolone cheese.
      Slow Cooker Italian Beef
    • A bowl of instant pot beef Bourguignon recipe.
      Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon
    • Slow Cooker Beef and Peppers in a crockpot.
      Easy Slow Cooker Beef and Peppers Recipe
    • Birria sliders made in the slow cooker.
      Slow Cooker Birria Sliders

    I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.

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    Eileen  xo

    If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card, you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

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    A large white bowl of shredded beef with Mexican flavors.

    Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef

    A delicious and easy slow cooker recipe to make shredded beef for tacos, quesadillas, nachos, etc! Use your imagination to create easy recipes with this shredded beef! Perfect for Cinco De Mayo, tailgating parties, family gatherings. Freezes well!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print (Email Required) Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: leftover shredded beef enchiladas, Mexican shredded beef tacos
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 8 hours hours
    0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 7 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 385kcal
    Author: Eileen Murphy Kelly

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

    Equipment Needed:

    • Ninja 8-1 Slow Cooker
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups
    • meat claw
    • Cutting Board

    Ingredients

    Beef Rump Roast

    • 4 ½ pounds beef rump roast, trimmed
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon avocado oil Note 2

    Mexican Sauce

    • 1 large onion (peeled, cut in half, sliced into ¼ inch half moons)
    • 3 cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
    • 10 ounce can, fire-roasted diced tomatoes include the juice
    • 1 large jalapeno, seeded and diced
    • 1 cup fat-free beef broth Note 3
    • 2 Tablespoons lime juice Note 4
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon ground oregano
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped optional garnish
    • lime wedges optional garnish

    Instructions

    Slow Cooker Instructions

    • Season the 4 ½ pounds beef rump roast, trimmed with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder.
    • If your slow cooker has a saute option, use the saute option, or heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add the ½ teaspoon avocado oilSear roast to brown on all sides. Set aside.
    • Into the slow cooker, mix in 1 large onion (peeled, cut in half, sliced into ¼ inch half moons), 3 cloves garlic (peeled and minced), 10 ounce can, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, 1 large jalapeno, seeded and diced, 1 cup fat-free beef broth, 2 Tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground oregano, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt.
    • Add the browned beef to the slow cooker.
    • Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours. The cook time will vary slightly depending on the slow cooker and the size of the roast. Note 1
    • Use a fork to shred the beef. Taste for seasoning. If needed, adjust any seasoning. Serve with fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped and lime wedges over rice.
    • Serve as tacos, quesadillas, nachos, enchiladas, burritos, endless options

    Stovetop Instructions

    • After step 1, remove the beef from the pot, set aside.
    • Into the pot, saute the onion for 2 to 3 minutes. Onions will begin to soften. Mix in the garlic, and saute another minute to blend flavors.
    • Stir in diced tomatoes, beef broth, lime juice, diced jalapenos, chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt.
    • Add the browned beef back into the pot. Reduce heat to low, simmer for about 3 - 4 hours. (depending on the size of the beef) The meat should be fork tender when cooked completely. Shred with claws or forks. Ready to serve.

    NOTES

    📖 Recipe

    Be sure to check the Expert Tips and FAQs above for important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe.
    Note 1: For slow cooking, the best way to calculate time is about 2 hours for every pound when using slow heat. My recipe testing has found when slow cooking at high heat, 1 hour per pound of meat has produced the best results. 
    Note 2: Avocado oil is always my first choice. Canola or Vegetable oil can be used. 
    Note 3: I prefer to use fat-free, low-sodium broth, however, a regular broth can be used,  reduce the salt, and taste the sauce before adding more salt.  
    Note 4: I use fresh lime, cut it in half. The half lime that is not used for juicing, I slice into wedges for garnish 
    Expert Tips:
    • Cuts of meat that can be used: bottom round and chuck roast
    • Browning the meat is an extra step, but it adds amazing flavor to the meat. This freezes well. It can be separated into freezer storage bags for future meals. 
    • Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes 
    I'm not a registered dietitian, but I strive to provide the most accurate nutritional values. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. 
     
     
    Don’t forget to shop at the Everyday Eileen store on Amazon
     
     
     
     
     
     

     

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servings | Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 58g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 158mg | Sodium: 694mg | Potassium: 993mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 307IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 6mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

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