If you’re looking for an easy, flavorful, and restaurant-quality meal, these honey chipotle shredded beef tacos are exactly what you need! Made with slow-cooked chuck roast, smoky chipotle peppers, and a touch of sweet honey, these tacos bring the perfect balance of heat and sweetness. Topped with quick pickled red onions and a creamy avocado lime sauce, every bite is bursting with bold flavors.
Forget takeout—these homemade shredded beef tacos will elevate your taco night and have everyone coming back for more!
Why You’ll Love These Shredded Beef Tacos
✅ Easy Slow Cooker Recipe – Just sear the beef, add everything to the slow cooker, and let it work its magic. ✅ Bold, Smoky & Sweet Flavors – The combination of chipotle, honey, and lime makes this a unique taco filling. ✅ Perfect for Meal Prep – Leftovers taste even better the next day and can be used in burritos, quesadillas, or rice bowls. ✅ Customizable Toppings – From creamy avocado sauce to pickled onions, make it your own!
Ingredients for Shredded Beef Tacos
For the Shredded Beef:
- 3 pounds boneless chuck roast
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced (use 1 pepper for less spice)
- 4 tablespoons chipotle in adobo sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt (adjust based on roast size)
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- Tortillas (corn or flour)
- Limes for serving
Quick Pickled Red Onions:
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
Creamy Avocado Lime Sauce:
- 2 ripe medium avocados
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 cup fresh cilantro
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1 garlic clove
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Shredded Beef
1️⃣ Sear the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the chuck roast dry and sear on both sides until browned (about 3-4 minutes per side).
2️⃣ Mix the Seasoning: In a slow cooker, combine honey, minced chipotle peppers, chipotle adobo sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Stir together.
3️⃣ Slow Cook: Place the seared chuck roast into the slow cooker and turn to coat in the mixture. Pour in beef broth, cover, and cook on low for 8-9 hours (or high for 4-5 hours) until fork-tender.
4️⃣ Shred the Meat: Once the beef is fully cooked, shred it with two forks and mix it with the remaining juices to keep it moist. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the shredded beef and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
2. Make the Quick Pickled Red Onions
1️⃣ Slice & Prep: Thinly slice one small red onion and place it in a pint-sized mason jar.
2️⃣ Boil the Vinegar: In a small pan, bring 1 cup apple cider vinegar to a boil. Stir in sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes until dissolved.
3️⃣ Pour & Store: Remove from heat and carefully pour over the sliced onions. Let cool, cover with a lid, and store in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
📌 Pro Tip: The longer they sit, the better they taste! These will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
3. Make the Creamy Avocado Lime Sauce
1️⃣ Blend Ingredients: In a blender or food processor, combine avocado, water, olive oil, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and salt.
2️⃣ Adjust to Taste: Blend until smooth. Adjust salt or lime juice if needed.
3️⃣ Store: Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
4. Assemble the Shredded Beef Tacos
1️⃣ Warm the Tortillas: Heat flour or corn tortillas on a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side or fry them for extra crispiness.
2️⃣ Fill & Top: Add shredded beef to each tortilla and top with pickled onions, avocado lime sauce, and queso fresco (optional).
3️⃣ Garnish & Serve: Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top and serve warm!
Tips for the Best Shredded Beef Tacos
✔ Use Low & Slow Cooking: Cooking on low for 8 hours ensures the beef is incredibly tender and easy to shred. ✔ Don’t Skip the Searing: Browning the beef first locks in flavor and adds richness. ✔ Adjust the Spice Level: For a milder version, reduce chipotle peppers to one instead of two. ✔ Make It Ahead: The shredded beef and pickled onions can be made up to 3 days in advance. ✔ Use Fresh Tortillas: Soft, warm tortillas make all the difference!
What to Serve with Shredded Beef Tacos
These honey chipotle shredded beef tacos are delicious on their own, but here are some perfect pairings:
🌮 Mexican Street Corn – Sweet, creamy, and full of flavor. 🌮 Cilantro Lime Rice – A fresh and zesty side dish. 🌮 Black Beans or Refried Beans – A protein-packed addition. 🌮 Margaritas or Agua Fresca – Refreshing drinks to complement the spice.
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Honey Chipotle Shredded Beef Tacos 🌮🔥
Description
There’s nothing like the smell of slow-cooked beef filling the kitchen—it instantly makes me hungry! These honey chipotle shredded beef tacos are smoky, a little sweet, and packed with bold flavors. Topped with quick-pickled onions and a creamy avocado sauce, every bite is pure magic. If you love tender, juicy tacos that taste like they came from your favorite taqueria, this recipe is for you!
Ingredients
For the Beef:
- 3 lb boneless chuck roast
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- ½ cup honey
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced (use 1 for less spice)
- 4 tbsp chipotle in adobo sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2 ½ tsp kosher salt (adjust based on roast size)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
For the Pickled Onions:
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp sugar
- Pinch of kosher salt & red pepper flakes
For the Avocado Lime Sauce:
- 2 ripe avocados
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 cup cilantro
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1 garlic clove
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
Instructions
1. Slow Cook the Beef
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear chuck roast on both sides.
- In a slow cooker, mix honey, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Place roast in the slow cooker, turning to coat. Pour in beef broth.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8-9 hours until fork-tender.
- Shred the beef and mix it with the juices. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the meat and sprinkle with cilantro.
2. Make the Pickled Onions
- Place sliced onions in a mason jar.
- In a small pan, bring apple cider vinegar to a boil, then stir in sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour the hot vinegar over the onions. Let cool before covering and refrigerating.
3. Make the Avocado Lime Sauce
- Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
4. Assemble the Tacos
- Warm tortillas (or fry them for extra crunch).
- Fill with shredded beef, top with pickled onions, avocado sauce, and queso fresco if desired.
Notes
These tacos pair perfectly with a side of Mexican rice or a fresh corn salad!
Final Thoughts: Why These Shredded Beef Tacos Are a Must-Try
These honey chipotle shredded beef tacos are a game-changer for taco night. The combination of sweet, smoky, and spicy flavors makes every bite irresistible. Plus, they are easy to make, packed with bold flavors, and perfect for meal prep!
Make these shredded beef tacos for your next dinner and impress everyone with the best homemade taco recipe ever! 🌮🔥
💬 Have you tried this recipe? Let us know in the comments!