Chipotle Shredded Beef

This hearty chipotle shredded beef has plenty of spicy flavor, thanks to its namesake chipotle peppers. Other flavors round out the spice, however, making this a great option for those who have reservations about spicy foods. After a quick 25 minutes of preparation, the beef cooks for eight hours, with the slow cooker doing all of the work. This particular chipotle shredded beef recipe is served over a bed of rice, but it’s equally as delicious rolled up in a tortilla, smothered in between a bun, or pooled over mashed potatoes. Another slow cooker recipe for the win!

Ingredients for Chipotle Shredded Beef

Melissa Patterson for Taste of Home

• Canola oil: Canola oil doesn’t have much flavor. If you’d rather use olive oil, opt for a mild one to avoid adding too much olive flavor.
• Onion: A small yellow onion is best.
• Diced tomatoes: Grab canned diced tomatoes from the store, or dice fresh tomatoes if you have them.
• Cider vinegar: Cider vinegar helps to tenderize the beef.
• Chipotle peppers: Look for chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
• Garlic cloves: This recipe calls for six garlic clothes, minced. It’s another key ingredient that helps build the spice of this dish.
• Brown sugar: This particular type of sugar will add a depth to the spice of the pepper. It also helps to create a syrupy, thick sauce.
• Spices: Bay leaves, ground cumin, paprika, pepper and ground cinnamon mellow the spice of the chipotle peppers and adobo sauce.
• Beef chuck roast: This particular roast is ideal for shredding.
• Brown rice: Cook brown rice just before serving so it’s still hot.
• Optional: Top the chipotle shredded beef with shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese and reduced-fat sour cream.

Directions

Step 1: Make the tomato marinade

Melissa Patterson for Taste of Home

In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, and cook and stir it for two to three minutes, or until the onion is tender. Stir in the tomatoes, vinegar, chipotle peppers with adobo sauce, garlic, brown sugar, bay leaves and spices. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat. Simmer the tomato marinade, uncovered, for four to six minutes, or until it’s thickened.

Step 2: Slow-cook the roast

Melissa Patterson for Taste of Home

Place the roast in a 5-quart slow cooker, then add the tomato marinade. Cook the roast, covered, on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the meat is tender.

Step 3: Shred the beef

Melissa Patterson for Taste of Home

Discard the bay leaves. Remove the roast and let it cool slightly. Skim the fat from the cooking juices. Shred the beef with two forks. Return the shredded beef and cooking juices to the slow cooker, and heat them through. Serve the chipotle shredded beef with rice. If desired, top it with cheese and sour cream.

Melissa Patterson for Taste of Home

Recipe Variations

• Add veggies: While this chipotle beef recipe has plenty of flavor already, veggies are always a welcome addition. Additional peppers (sweet or spicy, depending on your preference and spice tolerance), sweet potatoes and more onions are all fine options.
• Use chicken: If you’re not into roasts or beef in general, you can swap out the meat for chicken. The result will have a milder flavor, but it’ll be equally tender and still have the same rich, spiced flavor.

How to Store Chipotle Shredded Beef

If you have any leftovers, refrigerate them in an airtight container or in the covered slow-cooker pot for up to four days.

How do you reheat chipotle shredded beef?

To reheat shredded chipotle beef leftovers, warm them in a skillet on the stove over medium heat, stirring gently until the meat is heated through.

Chipotle Shredded Beef Tips

Melissa Patterson for Taste of Home

Why is the beef not shredding properly?

If the beef is not really shredding, return it to the pot and continue to cook it. The more tender it becomes, the easier it is to shred. And to get tender pulled beef in the slow cooker, you need to cook it longer. To test the beef, simply take a fork and poke at it. If the meat pulls apart easily, it’s likely done.

What other types of beef can you use?

If you don’t have beef chuck roast, you can substitute a lean cut of beef that’s uniformly shaped. Options include tri-tip roast, top round, bottom round and beef brisket.

How else can I serve leftover chipotle shredded beef?

If you want to turn this into an entirely different meal, you can use the leftover meat in a variety of ways. Use it as a topping for spicy loaded layered nachos, roll it up in burritos or fold it into quesadillas, or even have it cold in a sandwich for lunch the next day.