Best Ever Slow-Cooked Beef Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender slow-cooked beef tacos topped with a refreshing cilantro lime slaw, making these the best tacos for any taco night. This mexican ready in about 435 minutes pairs pounds, trimmed Beef chuck roast, medium, diced Onion, minced Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 420 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a slow cooker, combine 1.5 pounds trimmed beef chuck roast, 1 diced medium onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; pour in 1 cup beef broth.
  2. Step 2: Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until beef is fork-tender; shred with two forks, then return to slow cooker with cooking liquid.
  3. Step 3: In a bowl, combine 2 cups shredded cabbage, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to make the slaw.
  4. Step 4: Warm 8 corn tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side.
  5. Step 5: Assemble tacos with shredded beef, then top with 1/4 cup cilantro lime slaw and optional 1/2 diced avocado.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Best Ever Slow-Cooked Beef Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 435 minutes (15 min prep + 420 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Best Ever Slow-Cooked Beef Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, diced onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Best Ever Slow-Cooked Beef Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Best Ever Slow-Cooked Beef Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Best Ever Slow-Cooked Beef Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw?

Mexican mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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