Slow Cooker Beef with Salsa
Slow Cooker Beef with Salsa is a flavorful, tender, and easy-to-make dish featuring juicy slow-cooked beef infused with zesty salsa. Perfect for a comforting meal any day of the week, this versatile recipe works great for tacos, burritos, nachos, or served simply with rice. Minimal ingredients and effortless preparation make it ideal for busy weeknights or casual dinners while delivering rich, melt-in-your-mouth beef with a fresh, healthy twist.
- Author: Lilly
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 to 8 hours
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 2 to 3 lbs beef chuck roast
- 1 to 2 cups salsa (mild, medium, or hot based on preference)
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 to 2 bell peppers, sliced (optional)
- 1 cup beef broth or water
Seasonings
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Ingredients: Trim any excess fat from the chuck roast. Slice the onions and bell peppers if using. Mince the garlic cloves to release their aroma. Measure out your preferred salsa and have it ready.
- Sear the Beef: (Optional but recommended) Heat a bit of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef on all sides until browned to develop a flavorful crust and richer taste.
- Combine in the Slow Cooker: Layer the sliced onions and bell peppers at the slow cooker bottom. Place the seared beef on top, then pour salsa evenly over the beef. Sprinkle the minced garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour in beef broth or water to keep the meat moist.
- Cook Low and Slow: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 7 to 8 hours until the beef is tender enough to shred easily with a fork.
- Shred and Serve: Remove the beef and shred it directly in the slow cooker using two forks. Stir the shredded beef back into the salsa and juices before serving to absorb the flavors.
Notes
- Choose beef chuck roast for its marbling and tenderness after slow cooking.
- Searing the beef enhances flavor but can be skipped to save time.
- Use fresh, high-quality salsa with whole ingredients for best taste.
- Maintain moisture by adding beef broth or water during cooking.
- Cook on low for optimal tenderness; high heat may dry out the meat.
- Customize by adding jalapeños, black beans, corn, cilantro, or cheese.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat gently, adding broth or water as needed to retain moisture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: slow cooker beef, beef salsa, shredded beef, easy beef recipe, crockpot dinner, Mexican beef, gluten free beef recipe, tender beef, weeknight dinner