Genuine Slow-Cooked Beef Tacos

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

Tender braised beef with smoky chipotle and rich mole sauce, served in warm corn tortillas for an authentic Mexican experience. This mexican ready in about 505 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, dried ancho chiles, tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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: 25 min Cook: 480 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Trim 1.5 lb beef chuck roast, then sear in a skillet with 1 tbsp oil over medium-high heat for 4 minutes per side until deeply browned.
  2. Step 2: Remove beef, then blend 3 dried ancho chiles (seeded), 2 chopped tomatoes, 1 chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp cumin, and 1 cup chicken broth until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Return seared beef to skillet, pour blended sauce over it, and bring to a simmer. Cover and transfer to slow cooker; cook on low for 8 hours until fork-tender.
  4. Step 4: Shred beef with two forks, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Warm 8 corn tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side.
  5. Step 5: Assemble tacos: Place shredded beef on tortillas, drizzle with reserved cooking liquid, top with sliced avocado, 1/4 cup diced red onion, and 2 tbsp chopped cilantro.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Genuine Slow-Cooked Beef Tacos take to make?

Total time is about 505 minutes (25 min prep + 480 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 Genuine Slow-Cooked Beef Tacos?

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 beef chuck roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Genuine Slow-Cooked Beef Tacos?

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 Genuine Slow-Cooked Beef Tacos 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 Genuine Slow-Cooked Beef Tacos?

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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