Ingredients
Beef and Seasonings
- 3 lb chuck roast
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
Special Sauce
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 3/4 cup salsa verde (preferably “Herdez” brand)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- Juice of 1 whole lime
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Season the Meat: Liberally season both sides of the 3 lb chuck roast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to build layers of flavor.
- Prepare the Special Sauce: In a bowl, mix together 3/4 cup beef broth, 3/4 cup salsa verde, minced garlic, salt, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, dried parsley, lime juice, and apple cider vinegar until well combined.
- Sear the Roast: Heat a heavily oiled cast iron skillet or use the Instant Pot on sauté mode. Sear the roast on each side for about 2 minutes until browned, which locks in flavor and juices.
- Cook in Slow Cooker: Transfer the seared roast to the slow cooker. Pour the special sauce over the meat evenly. Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours until the meat is tender and easy to shred.
- Cook in Instant Pot: After searing in the Instant Pot, pour the special sauce over the roast. Set the Instant Pot to the “Meat/Stew” setting and cook for 70 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 20 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
- Shred the Beef: Remove the cooked meat from the slow cooker or Instant Pot. Shred it thoroughly using two forks. Place shredded beef in a serving dish and pour about 1/4 of the cooking liquid over it to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Serve: Serve the shredded beef with warm tortillas, fresh cilantro, and your favorite salsa to make delicious tacos, or incorporate it into a burrito bowl with rice, black beans, and other toppings.
Notes
- Use a well-marbled chuck roast for tender and juicy results.
- Searing the meat before cooking enhances flavor via caramelization.
- The cooking liquid can be adjusted to control sauce consistency—add more broth if desired.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze nicely for up to 3 months.
- Adjust red pepper flakes based on preferred level of heat.
- If using a slow cooker, avoid lifting the lid frequently to maintain cooking temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (slow cooker) or 1 hour 30 minutes (Instant Pot including pressure release)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican