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Slow-Cooker Make-Ahead Beef

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  • Prep 20 min
  • Total 7 hr 20 min
  • Servings 8
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Succulent shredded beef is like money in the bank when it comes to dinner. It means you can go from a burrito to pasta to sandwiches in the blink of an eye. Here’s how we use this recipe to its full potential: Pick up the boneless beef chuck roast when it’s on sale or when there’s a busy week ahead. It’s a versatile meal starter and can save money that might otherwise be spent on emergency pizza delivery or unsatisfying drive-through meals. When you’ve got a few extra minutes to spend in the kitchen, sear the beef and toss it in the slow cooker. Once the meat is done, it’s simple enough to shred it and parcel it up into packages that are the right size for all kinds of family meals.
By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Updated Jun 25, 2019
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 boneless beef chuck roast (2 1/2 to 3 1/2 lb)

Steps

  • 1
    Spray 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Add roast; turn to coat.
  • 2
    Heat 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add beef roast; cook 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until browned on both sides.
  • 3
    Transfer to slow cooker; pour 1/4 cup water over roast. Cover and cook on Low heat setting 7 to 8 hours or until beef is tender and easy to shred.
  • 4
    Transfer beef to cutting board; cool slightly. Shred beef, discarding any pieces of fat. Toss beef with 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. Discard remaining liquid.
  • 5
    To Freeze: Divide beef into 2 portions (about 2 cups each). Place each portion in freezer container or resealable freezer plastic bag. Label with date. Cover and refrigerate until completely cooled, at least 1 hour. Transfer to freezer; freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight or until completely thawed. Use in recipes calling for cooked shredded beef.
  • 6
    To Make in Oven: Heat oven to 325°F. In large bowl, mix oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Add roast; turn to coat. Heat 12-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add beef roast; cook 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until browned on both sides. Pour 1 cup water over roast. Cover and roast 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours, or until meat thermometer inserted in center of roast reads 190°F and beef is tender enough to shred easily. Remove from oven; let rest until cool enough to handle, about 30 minutes. Shred meat with 2 forks, discarding fat and cartilage as you go. Toss shredded beef in 1/2 cup of the pan liquid to coat. Discard remaining pan liquid. Freeze and thaw as directed above.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    When using the oven method, carefully cover the pan with foil or a pan lid—if you’ve got one that fits—before roasting. Use oven mitts or a dish towel to safely crimp the foil around the pan.
  • tip 2
    When preparing meats for the slow cooker, we prefer to coat them in oil and seasonings in a separate bowl, instead of using the insert. Even though coating in the insert saves a bowl, it leaves a mess on the sides of the insert, which can burn and affect the flavor of the food. Plus, it takes more elbow grease to clean a burnt insert.
  • tip 3
    Shredded beef is delicious in pastas, soups, sandwiches, enchiladas, quesadillas, grain bowls, chili and more!

Nutrition

270 Calories, 18g Total Fat, 26g Protein, 0g Total Carbohydrate, 0g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1/2 Cup
Calories
270
Calories from Fat
160
Total Fat
18g
28%
Saturated Fat
6g
32%
Trans Fat
1/2g
Cholesterol
75mg
26%
Sodium
500mg
21%
Potassium
340mg
10%
Total Carbohydrate
0g
0%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
0g
Protein
26g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
0%
0%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
2%
2%
Iron
10%
10%
Exchanges:
0 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 0 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
0
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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