This Slow Cooker Shredded Beef is very simple to make and can be used in a lot of different ways, like tacos, burrito bowls, sandwiches, or even just on rice. Sheep beef that melts in your mouth in a delicious sauce: this is the kind of recipe that your slow cooker was made for. Great for feeding a crowd, and it freezes well too, making it good for meal prep.
If you want to make shredded beef in the slow cooker, all you have to do is put the beef and sauce ingredients in, and then you can forget about it until it’s ready. You can brown the beef first for extra flavor.
You can make a lot of this slow cooker pulled beef at once and then use it in different meals all week. This pulled slow cooked beef is SO tender, and just falls apart when cooked.
This is the BEST pulled beef, and it only takes a few minutes to make. The sauce is rich and full of flavor. This recipe is easy to double (as long as your slow cooker is big enough) to feed more than one person.
Shredded beef has become an increasingly popular ingredient in many dishes and recipes From tacos to sandwiches, shredded beef can add great texture and flavor. But is shredded beef actually good for you? Let’s take a closer look at the nutritional profile of shredded beef and the potential health benefits it offers.
An Overview of Shredded Beef Nutrition
Beef is well-known for being a good source of protein and important vitamins and minerals. The same goes for shredded beef. A 3-ounce serving of shredded beef contains:
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Protein: 22 grams. Beef is one of the best sources of high-quality protein, which provides the building blocks for preserving and building muscle mass.
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Iron 3 mg. Shredded beef provides a significant amount of iron which supports oxygen transport in the blood and energy production.
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Zinc: 4 mg. Zinc supports immune function and cell growth. Beef is one of the richest food sources of this mineral.
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Vitamin B12: 2 mcg. Vitamin B12 is crucial for red blood cell formation and neurological function. It’s found almost exclusively in animal foods like beef.
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Selenium: 14 mcg. This important antioxidant helps regulate thyroid function and protect cells from damage.
In addition to being nutrient-dense, shredded beef is also relatively low in fat and calories if trimmed properly. A 3-ounce serving provides around 175 calories and 7 grams of fat. It’s an excellent source of protein and vitamins/minerals without supplying too many calories.
The Benefits of Shredded Beef for Your Health
The nutritional profile of shredded beef indicates that incorporating it into your diet moderately can offer several benefits:
1. Helps Preserve Muscle Mass
The high protein content of shredded beef makes it great for preserving or building muscle, especially when paired with strength training. Protein provides the amino acids required to maintain and increase muscle mass as you age.
2. Supports Heart Health
Beef contains nutrients like zinc, iron, selenium, and B-vitamins that are important for optimal heart function and blood flow. Enjoying lean cuts of shredded beef in moderation may support cardiovascular health.
3. Boosts Immune Function
Zinc and selenium, which are plentiful in shredded beef, both help support normal immune system function. Getting enough of these minerals can help maintain your defenses against illness and infection.
4. Improves Energy Levels
The iron, zinc, and B12 in shredded beef all play important roles in energy production and reducing fatigue. Adding shredded beef to your diet a few times a week may help boost your energy.
5. Supports Healthy Bones
Shredded beef provides a good amount of zinc, which is essential for bone mineralization and bone matrix formation. Adequate zinc intake benefits bone health and density.
6. Aids Brain Function
As a rich source of vitamin B12, shredded beef supports nervous system function and brain health. B12 deficiency is linked to memory problems and cognitive decline.
Tips for Healthy Shredded Beef Recipes
To maximize the nutritional benefits of shredded beef, keep these tips in mind:
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Stick to lean cuts like top round, sirloin tip, or 93% lean ground beef. Trim off any excess fat after cooking.
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Limit portion sizes to 3-4 ounces of cooked shredded beef per serving.
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Choose lower-sodium beef broths and seasonings or rinse off excess salt.
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Pair shredded beef with non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, beans, etc.
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Grilling, roasting, or slow-cooking are healthier cooking methods. Avoid deep-frying.
Shredded beef can be a nutritious addition to the diet for most people when consumed in moderation. It provides high-quality protein, energizing iron, and antioxidants that support immunity, heart health, and more. Just be mindful of portion sizes and preparation methods. Overall, shredded beef can be a tasty, protein-packed ingredient that offers great health perks.
Best Cut of Beef For Shredding
Chuck roast is definitely the best cut of meat to use for pulled beef. In the UK, this cut is referred to as braising steak. The chuck/braising steak has a lot of fat and marbling, just like the pork shoulder, which makes it great for shredding. We cut ours into chunks for adding to the slow cooker.
When making pulled beef in the slow cooker, you don’t need to buy a fancy cut of beef. It doesn’t matter what kind of beef you use because cooking it slowly makes it fall apart and melt in your mouth.
You could also use skirt, rump roast or brisket. Cooking times may vary though.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Pulled Beef
This Slow Cooked Shredded Beef goes in so many things. Here are just a few ideas of how to use it:
- Pulled Beef Tacos
- Beef enchiladas
- Burritos
- Pizza topping
- On tagliatelle or udon noodles
- Fajitas
- Beef Sandwiches
- Burrito bowl
- Nachos topping
- Quesadillas
- In a hamburger bun with homemade coleslaw
- On rice or mashed potatoes
- Slow cookers all cook things at different rates. Make sure you don’t cook your beef too long, or it will become dry. When the beef is done, it should be easy to shred with a fork.
- If you like your food really spicy, add more chipotle paste or red chili flakes. You could also try our Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa.
- There might be a lot of juice in the slow cooker after you take the joint out to shred. You might want to drain some of it before putting the shredded meat back in.
- Instead of the stock, mix the beef with BBQ sauce for a fun and easy change.
We recommend cooking it on low for 7-8 hours. However you can cook it in your slow cooker on high for 3-4 hours. It will depend on your slow cooker and the size of the chunks of beef too. If your beef isnt falling apart then it isnt tender enough and it needs some extra time.
It can also be kept in the fridge for three to four days, but it may become dry after that.
Yes, pulled beef freezes really well. You can portion it out and it will keep in the freezer for 2-3 months. Once the pulled beef has defrosted, the best way to heat it up is in a pan with a little oil. It will only takes a couple of minutes.
There really is no rule here, just make sure that the beef you are using can fit in your slow cooker. We use a Crock Pot DuraCeramic Slow Cooker and we love it. What I love most about it is that you can put the bowl insert on the hob too. So, we thicken the gravy on the hob, in the slow cooker bowl. You can also sear the meat in it first. I also love that it has a clear lid, as I am so impatient that I want to keep looking and seeing what it is doing. If you dont have a clear lid, then lifting it to see will release lots of the heat and add to the cooking time.
You dont have to, but if you have the time then it adds such a depth of flavour. Basically, you want to trigger the Maillard reaction. It is a chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that gives browned food its distinctive flavour. But you don’t have to. If you are really short on time, you can just put everything in the slow cooker and leave it.
Easy Crockpot Mexican Shredded Beef
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