This easy 3-ingredient roasted shredded beef is savory and fork-tender. It’s the perfect addition to your salads, sandwiches, tacos, and more!
Got a slow cooker? Make a tender beef roast by following this slow cooker beef roast recipe.
What is Roasted Shredded Beef?
Roasted shredded beef is chuck roast, baked in the oven for at least three hours until it becomes fork-tender and easy to shred. The resulting shredded beef is soft, juicy, and incredibly versatile — perfect to use in a variety of entrees.
Selecting the Right Cut for Shredded Beef
The best cut for shredded beef is chuck roast, also known as chuck eye or chuck shoulder. This cut is affordable and produces the most tender results.
Choose the chuck roast with the most fatty parts. The cut with the most fat will have the most juices. Avoid using other cuts of beef as they produce a dry and tough shredded beef.
How to Make Shredded Beef
Few things in life are as simple as making this roasted shredded beef. With only three ingredients, there’s barely any prep involved!
- Season the beef: Preheat the oven and season beef generously on all sides.
- Bake the beef: Place beef in an oven-safe pan, then cover. Bake until fork-tender, about three to four hours.
- Shred the beef: Remove from the oven, then shred with a fork or shredding claws.
- Crisp up the meat: After shredding, bake the beef uncovered for about 15 minutes until parts of beef become crispy.
Hot tip: Depending on the size of your chuck, baking time will vary. Every pound of roast takes about one hour to cook.
Shredded Beef Flavor Additions
This three-ingredient recipe is guaranteed to give you plenty of flavor with simple salt and pepper seasoning. However, make it your own masterpiece with these flavor variations. Just add the additional herbs or desired additions after shredding the beef, before placing it back in the oven to crispen.
- Broth or wine: Adding broth or wine will add more juiciness and flavor to the beef. Choose a wine that pairs well with beef, such as cabernet sauvignon.
- Spice: For an extra kick, add red pepper flakes or diced jalapenos.
- Fresh herbs: Herbs give the beef an extra fresh aroma. Rosemary and bay leaves are our favorites to pair with beef.
- Seasoning: Add any of your favorite seasonings, adjusting the amount of salt as needed. We like to use a combination of seasonings including taco seasoning, fajita seasoning, paprika, oregano, chili powder, onion/garlic powder, or cumin. It all depends on your flavor preference and the dish you intend to create with the roast.
- Veggies: For a more aromatic flavor and smell, add minced garlic and/or finely diced onion.
Tips from the Kitchen
Every recipe has a few tips to make the process or the taste even better. Here are two quick tips for fantastic shredded beef.
- Add more moisture: If the shredded beef is too dry, add a cup of beef broth to the baking pan and stir together with the meat. This is also a great idea when reheating!
- Use a high quality pan: We love using this pan for this recipe. It’s oven-safe, comes with a lid, and also has enough space to shred and crisp the shredded beef.
Ways to Use Shredded Beef
This roasted shredded beef is amazing because it can be used in a multitude of ways. Make a large batch and use it in multiple meals this week!
- As a whole meal: In the last hour of baking, add chopped potatoes, carrots, and onions to the sides of the pan surrounding the beef. This will create a one-pan dinner, similar to roasted chicken & potatoes.
- Tacos: Combine the beef with your favorite toppings such as salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, cilantro, onion, sour cream, and cheese. Add lime juice to the beef for extra tangy flavor.
- Enchiladas: Mix in fajita seasoning with the beef and use it to make delicious enchiladas. Don’t forget to serve with a bowl of tortilla chips and salsa!
- Nachos: Prepare a plate of nachos with our airfryer tortilla chips and top with shredded beef, refried beans, and more of your favorite toppings and sauces.
- Burrito bowl: Skip the restaurant burrito bowl and make your own with homemade tortillas, shredded beef, corn, salsa, guacamole, cilantro-lime rice, and brown or black beans.
- Breakfast burritos: Instead of using bacon, use shredded beef for an equally tasty and filling protein in breakfast burritos.
- Salads: Drop a handful of shredded beef on top of arugula caprese salad, corn tomato avocado salad, or a simple garden salad.
- Stuffed peppers: Substitute shredded beef for the meat in Philly cheesesteak stuffed peppers or Mexican stuffed peppers.
- Sandwiches: This shredded beef works great in Philly cheesesteak or in a steak sandwich.
Storage Tips + Reheating
With such a versatile entree, you won’t have leftovers for long! To best store and reheat the beef, follow these tips.
- Refrigerator: To store for up to three days, place the it into an airtight container in the fridge. Pour any cooking liquid into the airtight container with the beef to keep it juicy.
- Freezer: To store for up to four months, place cooled shredded beef in a freezer zip lock bag (with all air removed) or into an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator prior to reheating.
- Reheating: To reheat, place the it back in the oven at 350° F until warmed through. When reheating only a small portion, sauté on the stovetop over medium heat with a small amount of oil. For the quickest reheat, microwaving will do the trick.
FAQ
Does chuck roast need to be seared prior to roasting?
It is optional to sear chuck roast prior to roasting; however, it is not necessary.
Why is my beef not shredding?
If the chuck roast is not easy to shred, it is not fully cooked yet. Once the meat reaches about 205°F, it should shred easily.
Is barbacoa essentially shredded beef?
Barbacoa is a Mexican-flavored version of shredded beef. The cooking process for barbacoa is very similar, but the flavor of the shredded beef is traditionally used in Mexican cuisine.
More Mouthwatering Beef Recipes
- Philly Cheesesteak – Sauteed ribeye slices, melted cheese, and veggies stuffed into a hoagie
- Beef Gravy – Browned beef, onion, and carrots in a delicious savory gravy
- Beef Barley Soup – A comforting, heart warming soup with chunks of beef, barley, and veggies
- Braised Beef with Mushrooms – Tender and perfect to serve over mashed potatoes
- Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers – Veggies, beef and rice covered in a creamy, tomato-based sauce!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 lbs beef chuck roast
- 1 tbsp salt adjust to taste
- 1 tsp ground black pepper adjust to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Season beef generously on all sides.
- Place beef into an oven-safe pan, then cover it with a lid or foil. Let beef bake until tender and falls apart, about 3 to 4 hours.
- Remove from the oven, then shred with a fork or meat claws into small pieces.
- Bake uncovered at 425°F for about 15 minutes or until parts of beef become crispy.
This was so helpful to make this Sunday and use the leftovers for my week night meals!
Hi Andrea! I am thrilled to hear that! Thank you for the feedback. Enjoy!
A go-to recipe of ours!! We make it once or twice a month! The meat is so tender, it just falls apart! It's great alone or for so many recipes!
Hi Kristyn, Wow! I love that! Thank you so much for sharing your feedback. Enjoy!
I used this recipe to make burritos! So yummy and so easy!
Hi Andie, that is such a good idea! Thank you so much for sharing that! I am thrilled that the recipe was a success. Enjoy!