Shredded Beef Recipe Ideas

This is one of my readers' favorite crockpot meals.  It's wonderful because you throw the beef in the crockpot in the morning, and the main part of your meal is ready for dinner.  I've also included some different meal ideas using shredded beef. Cook once, eat 5 ways!

Shredded beef is a great main dish to serve when a crowd is over. Think of groups like a sports gathering. Or even when you have friends and family over and want a homemade meal with lots of serving variations. Serve with rolls and have salad on hand so everyone can customize their plate. I would suggest something like cowboy caviar, potato salad, and perhaps a light, simple salad like a dill vinaigrette dressed salad. I also love serving Brussels sprouts with beef. I have a frozen Brussels sprout recipe and one for fresh Brussels sprouts in the air fryer.

Why I Love Serving This

This easy crockpot shredded beef is one of my go-to recipes when I need a hearty, homemade dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s a true cook once, eat multiple times kind of meal. You can prep it in just minutes, let your slow cooker do the work, and come home to tender, flavorful beef that’s ready to serve.

It’s perfect for meal prep, feeding a crowd, or making weeknight dinners a breeze. The best part? There are so many ways to use it — from sandwiches to tacos to casseroles — so no one in the family gets bored of eating the same thing twice. Whether you’re hosting game day, having friends over, or just stocking the fridge for a busy week, this recipe always comes through.

Ingredients:

3 - 4 lb chuck or other inexpensive beef roast (a lower quality, less expensive cut)

2 envelopes of brown gravy - I buy the red McCormick's envelopes.

1 envelope ranch dressing - Hidden Valley brand is the best! I buy the bulk container, and using 3 teaspoons is the same as the envelope.

1 envelope Italian dressing mix - Good Seasons is a nice zesty Italian and works great with this recipe

2 cups water

Substitutions

If you and your family like different brands of seasoning envelopes, go ahead and use them! In a pinch, I doubled the ranch dressing if I realized I didn't have any Italian dressing mix at home. Or you can also use ½ cup of bottled Italian dressing instead of the dressing mix.

Instructions

Step 1
Pour the water and mix the packages of brown gravy and ranch dressing in with the water.  I usually whisk it because you can't really stir it once you put the roast in.

Step 2
Turn your crock pot on high. Add the beef roast to the water and seasoning mixtures.
Plan on cooking for at least 6 hours (time varies based on your slow cooker and the size of your roast).  More is better than less. If the beef is easily shredded, go ahead and shred and turn the crockpot to a warm setting until ready to serve. Avoid opening the lid - that increases the cooking time.

Step 3
When the meat is fork tender, put it in a bowl and pull it with two forks to shred it.  I bet you can't do that without taste-testing the meat!  When you make this, your home will smell really good!

While I'm shredding, I pour the gravy into a large cup (or a bowl if you don't have a cup large enough).  Let it sit for about 10 -15 minutes, and skim off as much of the fat layer as you can.

Step 4
Place the gravy and the shredded meat back into the crock pot and change the temperature to low or warm until ready to serve. If serving right away, a serving dish that can be covered with foil also works.

How To Serve Shredded Beef

Once you’ve made a big batch of slow cooker shredded beef, you can turn it into several easy meals. Here are my favorite ways to serve it:

Here are a few ways to serve your shredded beef so none of it goes to waste.  This is a great recipe to make on a Sunday, and then you have a few dinners during the week.

Shredded Beef Sandwich with Cole Slaw.

1. Pile the warm shredded beef onto a soft roll, add a generous scoop of creamy coleslaw, and you’ve got a classic, crowd-pleasing sandwich. The slaw adds crunch and a cool, tangy contrast to the savory beef.

Low Carb Shredded Beef with a Veggie

Skip the bread and serve your beef alongside roasted broccoli, sautéed green beans, or a fresh side salad. It’s a simple, low-carb dinner that’s still full of flavor.

Oven Baked Shredded Beef Nachos

Spread tortilla chips on a sheet pan, top with shredded beef (drained of extra gravy), plenty of shredded cheese, and bake until melted. Add salsa, sour cream, diced tomatoes, and any other toppings you love. These nachos are perfect for game day or movie night.
The shredded beef can also be substituted for the beef crumbles in this easy beef nacho recipe.

Easy Shredded Beef Tacos

Warm your tortillas (hard or soft), add shredded beef, and top with lettuce, tomato, shredded cheese, and a spoonful of salsa. These are quick to put together and always a hit for weeknight dinners.

Leftover Beef Enchiladas

Mix some enchilada sauce into your shredded beef, wrap it in soft tortillas, and bake with extra sauce and cheese on top. This is one of the easiest ways to turn leftovers into a completely different meal.

I hope this helps you with your meal planning!  Truly, make the shredded beef on a Sunday and then make a couple of these recipes during the week.  They are all easy to assemble and foolproof.  And, most importantly, delicious!  No complicated instructions or fancy ingredients.  Just meals loved by all (including the kids)!

Storage and Reheating

Place this in a covered container in the fridge, and it will last at least 4 days. As an FYI, I have put the whole crockpot insert with the lid on many times. It's a nice, easy way to put the meat away when you are finished entertaining.

Shredded beef also freezes well. I portion into freezer bags, adding some of the gravy to each bag. This can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Sometimes you need to add a little water when reheating since the gravy may thicken.

FAQs

Other Recipes for a Crowd

Hey, please do me a favor.  Would you please pin this to your Pinterest board?  I'd appreciate it!

Originally published Aug. 17, 2017.

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