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    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Beef and Pork Recipes

    Published: Jan 18, 2018 · Modified: Sep 27, 2021 by Jen Wooster

    Citrus Shredded Beef

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    slow cooker shredded beef

    Slow cooker shredded beef recipe with a hint of citrus flavors hints of the Caribbean but doesn't overwhelm. The perfect healthy shredded beef recipe for tacos, lettuce wraps, nachos, or on its own. Easy, Paleo, and AIP friendly!

    shredded beef in bowl with citrus

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Shredded Beef in the Slow Cooker
    • How to Make Shredded Beef in the Oven
    • 📖 Recipe
    • ⭐Reviews

    Sticking to the paleo-based diet like AIP or Whole30 can be hard without the right recipes. We have developed an arsenal of make-ahead and crockpot meals like this shredded beef recipe.

    It has citrusy Caribbean inspired flavors that 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 four-ingredient avocado sauce (which is always in our fridge or as the topping for our Sweet Potato Nachos). Yum.

    And if you like things a little spicy, pair it with our spicy cucumber chutney (another Caribbean-inspired dish), a side of roasted red onions, and these gluten-free flatbreads for an easy super.

    shredded beef in lettuce wrap

    Ingredients

    Beef Roast- When making shredded beef it it is best to use an inexpensive cut of meat like a blade roast. You will want something in the 2-3 lbs range. I prefer grass-fed. 

    Citrus- This recipe uses both zest and juice of one lime and one orange.

    Onion

    Garlic

    Seasonings- This recipe uses kosher salt plus a few spices to get that quintessential Caribean flavor.

    • Cinnamon
    • Ginger
    • Thyme
    • Clove
    spices for shredded beef recipe on a plate

    How to Make Shredded Beef in the Slow Cooker

    Put the beef roast, citrus, onions, and spices in the crockpot. Cook on low heat until beef is fall-apart tender. About 6 hours.

    I don't bother searing 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 oil over medium heat. Season the beef roast with salt and pepper. 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 at 325 F degrees for 3 hours. Shred the beef and return to the broth.

    Essentially you can make citrus shredded beef in the manner that is easiest for you. Who doesn’t love a recipe that conforms to you?  Oh, you?  Then give our Pork Roast with Apples a try too!

    And honestly, if you can make this, you can absolutely make our Nitrate-Free Corned Beef. Give it a try!

    What make ahead, no fuss recipes are your go to?  Share in the comments so we can all be healthier together!

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    shredded beef in a bowl

    Citrus Shredded Beef

    Recipe Created By: Jen Wooster
    Citrus and cinnamon give this slow cooker shredded beef a taste of the Caribbean.
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Crockpot Time 4 hrs 40 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, BBQ, caribbean, South American
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 173 kcal

    Equipment

    • Crockpot

    Ingredients
      

    • 2-3 lbs grass-fed beef roast we used a blade 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.
    • 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

    1. If the lime and orange aren't juicy you may need to up to a ¼ cup of water. Have restraint! You don't want it to be soupy.
    2. Depending on the shape of your roast and the crock pot size you may need to cut the beef into large chunks.
    3. AIP Compliant

    Nutrition

    Calories: 173kcal | Carbs: 3g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 6g | Fiber: 1g
    Keyword Crockpot, Make Ahead Gluten Free, Orange beef, Shredded beef, slowcooker beef recipe
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Andrea says

      March 24, 2022 at 8:15 pm

      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?

      Reply
      • Jen Wooster says

        March 25, 2022 at 8:44 am

        5 stars
        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.

        Reply
    2. Mary says

      April 04, 2021 at 11:40 am

      Is this missing an ingredient? Beef Broth?

      Reply
      • Jen says

        April 04, 2021 at 2:23 pm

        Nope! The citrus juice and the fat from the beef provide enough moisture.

        Reply
    3. Anonymous says

      December 03, 2019 at 11:05 pm

      I’m confused after taking off from crockpot then we have to put it in the oven?

      Reply
      • Jen says

        December 04, 2019 at 9:20 pm

        Thank you for checking out the recipe. This is a 100% crockpot recipe with alternative instructions for oven braising. Happy eating!

        Reply
    4. Elizabeth says

      September 21, 2019 at 10:36 am

      None of my grocery stores seemed to be stocked with whole cloves. Will ground clove work?

      Reply
      • Jen says

        October 12, 2019 at 10:31 am

        Absolutely!

        Reply
    5. Cheese Curd In Paradise says

      December 09, 2018 at 10:00 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    6. Byron Thomas says

      December 09, 2018 at 9:09 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    7. Marisa Franca says

      December 09, 2018 at 7:36 am

      5 stars
      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!!

      Reply
    8. Mahy Elamin says

      December 09, 2018 at 4:21 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    9. Lauren Vavala | DeliciousLittleBites says

      December 08, 2018 at 7:26 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply

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    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

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