Easy Slow Cooker Mexican Beef
If your family loves Mexican-inspired dinners as much as mine does, this Easy Slow Cooker Mexican Beef is one recipe you'll want to keep on repeat.
With just a handful of simple ingredients and a few minutes of preparation, the slow cooker does all the hard work, leaving you with tender, flavour-packed shredded beef that's perfect for tacos, burritos, nachos, rice bowls and more.
What I love most is how easy it makes dinner. Simply set out your favourite toppings and let everyone build their own meal. Even better, despite the chipotle sauce, it's mild enough for the whole family to enjoy, with the option to add extra heat for those who like things spicy.
Whether it's a busy weeknight or a weekend packed with sport and activities, this easy slow cooker Mexican beef is one of those reliable family dinners you'll come back to again and again.
If you're looking for more set-and-forget dinners, you'll also love my Slow Cooker Chunky Beef Pie or Slow Cooker Hickory Pulled Pork Burgers, two more family favourites that make busy weeknights so much easier.
And if you love letting your slow cooker do the hard work, my Easy Slow Cooker Recipes eBook is filled with even more family-friendly dinners that are perfect for busy days.
Other Slow Cooker Recipes you will enjoy:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Only 5 minutes of preparation
Made with simple supermarket ingredients
Tender, juicy shredded beef every time
Family-friendly and mild in flavour
Perfect for meal prep
Great for feeding a crowd
Versatile enough for multiple meals
Freezer-friendly
Ingredient Notes
Chuck Steak or Gravy Beef: Both cuts work beautifully in the slow cooker and become fall-apart tender after several hours of cooking.
Taco Spice Mix: Adds classic Mexican-inspired flavour and helps season the beef throughout cooking.
Chipotle Taco Cooking Sauce: Provides a rich, smoky flavour without making the dish overly spicy.
Cornflour: Helps create a slightly thicker, richer sauce as the beef cooks.
Beef Stock: Keeps the beef moist and creates plenty of delicious cooking liquid for shredding back through the meat.
Serving Suggestions
This Mexican Beef is incredibly versatile and can be served in:
Soft tacos
Burritos
Nachos
Quesadillas
Burrito bowls
Loaded baked potatoes
Enchiladas
Loaded fries
Serve with your favourite toppings such as:
Avocado
Guacamole
Sour cream
Shredded lettuce
Tomato salsa
Cheese
Corn salsa
Pickled onions
Jalapeños
Fresh coriander
Lime wedges
Top Tips
Use chuck steak for the most tender shredded beef.
Don't skip the cornflour as it helps create a richer sauce.
Shred the beef while it's still warm for the best texture.
Mix plenty of cooking liquid back through the beef to keep it juicy.
For extra heat, add chilli flakes to the slow cooker.
Serve with a hotter Mexican sauce if your family enjoys spicy food.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of cooking liquid to maintain moisture.
Variations
Extra Spicy Mexican Beef
Add 1-2 teaspoons chilli flakes or a finely chopped chilli before cooking.
Mexican Beef Rice Bowls
Serve over rice with avocado, corn, tomato and chipotle mayo for an easy family dinner.
Loaded Nachos
Pile the beef onto corn chips and top with cheese, guacamole, salsa and sour cream before baking until golden.
Meal Prep Burrito Bowls
Portion into containers with rice, beans and salad for easy lunches throughout the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use gravy beef instead of chuck steak?
Yes. Both cuts become tender and shred beautifully in the slow cooker.
Is this recipe spicy?
No. This recipe is mild and family-friendly. For extra heat, add chilli flakes or your favourite hot sauce.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. The flavours develop even more after sitting overnight.
Can I freeze Slow Cooker Mexican Beef?
Yes. Freeze in portions for up to 3 months and thaw overnight before reheating.
Easy Slow Cooker Mexican Beef
This Slow Cooker Mexican Beef is tender, juicy and packed with flavour. Made with just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep, it's perfect for tacos, burritos, nachos and rice bowls.
Ingredients
- 1kg chuck steak or gravy beef
- 30g Old El Paso Taco Spice Mix
- 2 tablespoons cornflour
- 2 cups beef stock
- 2 x 170g packets Old El Paso Chipotle Taco Cooking Sauce
Instructions
- Place the beef onto a large plate.
- Sprinkle over half the taco seasoning and cornflour mixture, rubbing it into the beef. Turn the beef over and repeat with the remaining seasoning mixture.
- Transfer the beef to the slow cooker and sprinkle over any remaining seasoning from the plate.
- In a jug, stir together the beef stock and one packet of chipotle taco sauce.
- Pour the mixture over the beef.
- Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until the beef is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
- Remove the beef from the slow cooker and transfer it to a large chopping board. Shred the beef using two forks.
- Gradually stir some of the cooking liquid back through the shredded beef until it is juicy and coated in the sauce.
- Serve with the remaining packet of chipotle taco sauce.
- Enjoy in tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, rice bowls or any of your favourite Mexican-inspired meals.
- If you have a few extra minutes, heat a little oil in the Dutch oven and brown the beef for 2-3 minutes per side before adding the liquid ingredients. This will add a deeper, richer flavour to the finished dish, but the recipe is still delicious if you skip this step.
- Preheat the oven to 160°C fan-forced (180°C conventional).
- Place the beef onto a large plate.
- Sprinkle over half the taco seasoning and cornflour mixture, rubbing it into the beef. Turn the beef over and repeat with the remaining seasoning mixture.
- Transfer the beef to a Dutch oven or heavy-based ovenproof casserole dish and sprinkle over any remaining seasoning from the plate.
- In a jug, whisk together the beef stock and one packet of chipotle taco sauce.
- Pour the mixture over the beef.
- Cover with a lid and cook for 3½-4 hours or until the beef is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
- Carefully remove the beef from the Dutch oven and place it on a large chopping board. Using two forks, shred the beef into bite-sized pieces.
- Gradually stir some of the cooking liquid back through the shredded beef until it is juicy and coated in the sauce.
- Serve with the remaining packet of chipotle taco sauce.
- Enjoy in tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas or rice bowls.
- Place the beef onto a large plate.
- Sprinkle over half the taco seasoning and cornflour mixture, rubbing it into the beef. Turn the beef over and repeat with the remaining seasoning mixture.
- Transfer the beef to a Dutch oven and sprinkle over any remaining seasoning from the plate.
- In a jug, whisk together the beef stock and one packet of chipotle taco sauce.
- Pour the mixture over the beef.
- Place the pot on the stove over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid and cook for 2½-3 hours, turning the beef once or twice during cooking, until it is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
- If needed, add a little extra beef stock during cooking to maintain the liquid level.
- Carefully remove the beef from the Dutch oven and place it on a large chopping board. Using two forks, shred the beef into bite-sized pieces.
- Gradually stir some of the cooking liquid back through the shredded beef until it is juicy and coated in the sauce.
- Serve with the remaining packet of chipotle taco sauce.
- Enjoy in tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas or rice bowls.
Notes
Top Tips
- Use chuck steak for the most tender shredded beef.
- Don't skip the cornflour as it helps create a richer sauce.
- Shred the beef while it's still warm for the best texture.
- Mix plenty of cooking liquid back through the beef to keep it juicy.
- For extra heat, add chilli flakes to the slow cooker.
- Serve with a hotter Mexican sauce if your family enjoys spicy food.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
593Fat
42 gSat. Fat
21 gCarbs
7 gFiber
1 gNet carbs
6 gSugar
2 gProtein
46 gSodium
1019 mgCholesterol
167 mgThe nutritional information provided is computer generated and is only an estimate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
