I will share a simple shredded beef burrito recipe with you in this blog. This easy recipe requires just a few ingredients and is ready to go. The only difficult task for me is peeling garlic; otherwise, you just put the ingredients in a pot, cook them, and your dish is ready.
Contents
Which Cooking Option is Best?
The main question here is which cooking option would be best for this; it can be prepared in different ways—some use an instant pot, or some use a slow cooker, and you can also use a grill and an oven. Trust me, this recipe won’t be ruined.
You can use whatever you like, but we cook it until the beef is tender. In this article, I will use a cast iron stock pot. Here, I share my secret trick. The key is to smoke the meat at 350°F for about three hours. You might not get there the first go around, but the aim is about 200 degrees to make the meat tender and easy to pull apart.
Shredded Beef Burritos Recipe Ingredients
- 3 pounds chuck roast
- Chipotle salsa (medium, to taste)
- Cumin (to taste)
- Chili powder (to taste)
- Additional spices or ingredients (optional, to taste)
You need to put the beef in a pot and add some ingredients. You don’t have to measure the ingredients exactly; you can simply use the eyeball method. I am using a 3-pound chuck roast for this recipe.
You can adjust the ingredient quantity according to your needs. Then, we will add cumin; you can add less of it if you don’t like it.
In goes Chipotle salsa, and this is medium. You can use something other than that if it’s not your favorite. So it’ll be fine if you don’t have a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, and this salsa will work instead.
However, if you don’t like some ingredients, you can substitute them because you’ll be making burritos. Instead of a regular pot roast, flavor the beef for tacos. Spice is added with other seasonings, like cumin and chili powder, giving this a Mexican feel.
Steps To Make Shredded Beef Burritos Recipe
Preparing the Meat
- First, add the beef to the pot, then the beef broth. This is very beneficial because it will not remove the seasoning but will help it stick to the meat.
- After that, take five cloves of garlic and place them around the beef. This step is very important because the flavor comes from the garlic, especially if you use a 3-pound chuck roast and prefer a more flavorful dish; in that case, you can even use six cloves.
- Next, you will add cumin, which also increases the flavor. I will use an average amount of cumin, but if you prefer more, you can add more; if you don’t like it much, you can also reduce the quantity.
- Then, use a little less chili powder. This spice provides heat, so keeping it milder is much better if that’s not what you want. And just a little goes in of some sage, but not too much—just a sprinkle of it.
- The time has come for the chipotle salsa. Just pour it in without caring how it looks. There’ll be nothing to do but put it in there, and everything will mix and meld together when you cook.
- Then, the pot is ready to move into the smoker or oven. The meat will slowly creep up in temperature until it reaches 204 degrees as it cooks. Now, it will bubble and boil, combining everything. That’s all the beauty we need now—we just want everything in the pot and cooking.
- Put the lid on and slip the pot into the smoker. Check on it in about three hours to see how it is doing. But until then, you won’t see much—just the pot lid on top of the smoker.
- You don’t need to check while cooking, but after three hours, come back and see how it worked. Tender and full of flavor, it’s perfect for burritos.
After Cooking
It gets cooked in about 3 hours; this is the timing I usually use. Don’t take it out immediately; let it cool for some time. At this point, if you look at the garlic, it will become soft like butter.
Now we must move on to the next step and take out the beef, using a fork to shred it; you must do this carefully. And here, our beef cooking and shredding process is complete. Once the meat is ready, grab a tortilla and start making your burrito.
Assembling The Burritos
So, let’s start stuffing the burrito with some of that delicious beef. Everyone gets excited when the burrito is so good that you start drooling even before eating it. Then, add some cheese; the high-melting variety may be best.
It already has a good flavor, but adding fire-roasted tomato salsa gives it a nice, rich flavor. Here, hot sauce is my favorite. It’ll give it some spice, and it feels healthier.
The burrito is ready now! See what it looks like. The milk of melted cheese is a great layer, as is the hot sauce with a bit of sour cream. And it’s sure to be delicious and satisfying.
Taste Test
It’s time to check the taste. The meat will be so soft; it’s almost as smooth as the tortilla; it just falls apart in your mouth. All the flavors are just perfect. You have got to mix in the garlic at the end.
Now it’s time to shred the remaining meat before everyone gets too hungry & starts asking for their share.
Easy Trick To Shred The Beef
For perfectly shredded beef, select cuts like chuck roast or brisket, which generally will cook till tender when slowly cooked. For the best results, use a slow cooker, Dutch oven, or Instant Pot to cook low and slow or as a good old-fashioned pressure cook.
Season the meat very well and pour some liquid to moisten the meat. Allow it to cool, then use two forks to shred it after cooking. Finally, the shreds are mixed with cooking juices for extra flavor & moisture.
Shredded beef burrito Creative Topping Ideas
Different shredded beef burrito topping methods are available online, but I mostly use 3 methods that I like.
Chimichurri Sauce
Chimichurri is a deep herby sauce traditionally made from fresh parsley, garlic, vinegar, & olive oil. Shredded beef improves its rich flavor with a zesty kick. It keeps the richness of the meat inside each bite balanced with fresh herbs & acidity.
Pickled Jalapeños
If you are a heat lover, pickled jalapeños are a great thing to add. Their tangy spiciness adds just the right flavor to your burrito. Another great note from the pickling process is here, which gives the beef a sweet & sour contrast.
Shredded Cheese
The first topping that burritos need is cheese. Cheddar is a great option, or Monterey Jack or pepper Jack melt beautifully, adding creaminess & depth of flavor. Cheddar is sharp, Monterey Jack is mild and creamy, and pepper jack adds a bit of heat.
Read also: White Chicken Enchiladas
Final Words
Trust me, the shredded beef burrito recipe is simple. You could cook this all day in the crockpot or pressure cooker. It’s so good to cook the meat and your favorite toppings if you keep the spices about the same.
FAQs
Can I make shredded beef burritos?
Yes, it can be frozen, but remember one thing. Always avoid adding fresh ingredients like lettuce if you plan to freeze it, as this can spoil the dish. You should skip this step and pack it in an airtight container before freezing; this way, your dish will stay safe for up to 3 months.
What can I do to add more flavor to my shredded beef?
Marinade the beef before cooking to intensify the flavor, or add spices like cumin, paprika, or chili powder to your beef. Garlic & onions added during or right after cooking also help improve flavor.
Can you use leftover beef for shredding?
Cooked beef left over—yes, you can shred it and throw it in burritos. Make sure it’s hot before assembling your burritos.