This slow cooker shredded beef recipe has a hint of citrus flavor and a unique spice blend. This shredded beef is healthy and perfect for meal prep with only 5 minutes of hands-on time. Just throw all the ingredients into a crockpot and enjoy later. Use it in all your favorite recipes from tacos to lunch bowls.

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📖Why This Recipe Works
Large tough cuts of meat benefit from the slow cooking process. As the beef cooks at a low temperature, the connective tissue breaks down and the fat renders off. The result is a delectable au jus sauce and beef that is easily pulled apart.
Instead of heavy sauces and seasonings, I kept the seasonings light so you can use this recipe in new ways. This mouth-watering beef recipe has citrusy Caribbean-inspired flavors that meld well with Asian, American BBQ, and Mexican-inspired dishes.
These delicious flavors stand on their own but also make a great base for so many options. We especially love it on lettuce wraps with shredded carrots, radishes, and the easiest Sweet Potato Nachos.
This versatile recipe doesn't have any added sugar and is naturally gluten-free. It is also AIP, Whole30, and paleo-friendly.
🧾Ingredient Notes
Beef Roast- When making shredded beef it is best to use an inexpensive cut of meat like a beef chuck roast, shoulder, or blade roast.
You can also use beef brisket which is one of the best cuts of meat but is also more expensive. With a little more fat on it, it will be amazing in flavor. You can also use short ribs.
You will want something in the 2-3 lbs range with good marbling. I prefer grass-fed beef from Butcher Box.
Citrus- This recipe uses both zest and juice of one lime and one orange.
Aromatics- For the aromatics, I use white onion and garlic. You can use yellow onion or red onion if you like.
Spices- This recipe uses kosher salt plus a few spices to get that quintessential Caribean flavor. We use ground cinnamon, ground ginger, dried thyme leaves, and a few whole cloves. You can add up to 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
⏲️How to Make Shredded Beef
Depending on the size of your crockpot you may need to cut down the beef into small chunks to fit it in.
Step 1- Combine
Mix the salt and spices in a small bowl and set aside.
Put the beef roast in the crockpot. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and citrus zest. Sprinkle over the spices.
Add in the lime juice and orange juice. You need about ⅔ cup of liquid in total. Add beef stock or water if needed.
Cook on low heat until beef is fall-apart tender. This takes about 6 hours.
Step 2- Shred
Using tongs move the beef to a serving platter. Use two forks to shred the beef. Spoon over the onions and pour on enough of the juice from the crockpot to keep the beef moist but not soaking wet.
Do not forget to pick out the whole cloves.
I don't bother to sear the meat first unless I decide to make this in the oven, like a braise. Speaking of which let's do some quick oven directions.
How to Make Shredded Beef in the Oven
In a large heavy bottom roasting pan, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the beef roast with salt and pepper, if using. Sear the meat on each side until brown, 6 to 8 minutes a side.
Deglaze the pan with the citrus juices, add the remaining ingredients, and cover. Bake in the oven at 325 F degrees for 3 hours. Check every hour and add more water as necessary.
Shred the beef the same as above. Return the shredded meat to the broth.
🥗What to Serve with Shredded Beef
When making this into a bowl I pick my rice based depending on my other toppings. But I use either my homemade sushi rice recipe, chimichurri rice, or lovely saffron rice.
For veggies, I add roasted red onions, blanched green beans or carrots, a sliced avocado, and roasted red peppers.
When making shredded beef tacos, burrito bowls, or enchiladas the citrus flavors in the beef pair perfectly with my avocado crema and mango habanero salsa.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tip
When seasoning the pulled beef follow the recipe and make adjustments at the end. As the sauce cooks it will become more intense in flavor.
🌡️Storage
The recipe only gets better the next day. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
The beef can be frozen for up to 3 months. Store in a zip-top bag or another plastic container. Thaw out in the fridge overnight.
The beef can be reheated in a skillet with a little of the liquid over medium heat. Or zap in a microwave at 50% power until warmed through.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
We have a whole recipe box of quick and easy weeknight dinners. Here are a few that I love!
💬Frequently Asked Questions
The best cut of meat is a tough roast cut like a chuck roast but there any many different cuts you can use. As beef slowly cooks the tissues break down allowing you to shred the meat into long flavorful pieces.
Yes, shredded beef is just another way to say pulled beef.
While not ideal, you can substitute dried spices for fresh produce. Use a ½ teaspoon of garlic powder and 1 tablespoon of onion powder.
Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.
📖 Recipe
Citrus Shredded Beef (Crockpot)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs beef roast
- 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 lime zested & juiced
- 1 orange zested & juiced
- 1 small onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 5 whole cloves
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a crock pot on low heat for 6-8 hours.2-3 lbs beef roast, 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 lime, 1 orange, 1 small onion, 4 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon dried thyme, 5 whole cloves
- Once beef is falling apart tender, remove the beef and drain the broth. Shred the beef with a fork. Be sure to pull out the cloves! Add back enough broth to keep it moist but not wet.
Video
Notes
- You need between ½ cup and ⅔ cup total liquid. If the lime and orange aren't juicy you may need to add up to an additional ¼ cup of liquid. You can use beef broth or water/
- Depending on the shape of your roast and the crock pot size you may need to cut the beef into large chunks.
Andrea says
I know this is an older post, but I’m hopping you will have time to respond. Do you think these flavors would go well with pork instead of beef?
Jen Wooster says
100% This is an older post but still one of my most popular. You can can cook a pork roast in the same manner as the beef.
Mary says
Is this missing an ingredient? Beef Broth?
Jen says
Nope! The citrus juice and the fat from the beef provide enough moisture.
Anonymous says
I’m confused after taking off from crockpot then we have to put it in the oven?
Jen says
Thank you for checking out the recipe. This is a 100% crockpot recipe with alternative instructions for oven braising. Happy eating!
Elizabeth says
None of my grocery stores seemed to be stocked with whole cloves. Will ground clove work?
Jen says
Absolutely!
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
I love the addition of the cloves and citrus! Shredded beef is so good, and I love the serving suggestion in butter lettuce wraps! What a delicious meal!
Byron Thomas says
Who doesn't love shredded beef? In my opinion, it's so much better than pulled pork! I have a shredded beef recipe already, but mine does not include any cloves or citrus and I absolutely love both of those flavours. I'm making this right now!
Marisa Franca says
What a great flavor combination for beef. Normally I think of citrus with poultry, pork, or fish and only lime with beef. But your combination sounds marvelous. What a flavor-packed meal. Certainly, if you're dieting and eating this you don't feel deprived!!
Mahy Elamin says
Oh my goodness this beef looks good! My husband will be 100% enthusiastic about this recipe. This looks and sounds delicious! I can’t wait to try this soon!
Lauren Vavala | DeliciousLittleBites says
Oh I just love the combination of citrus with any meat! I definitely need to give this a try soon - my whole family would love it!