This slow cooker beef roast is inspired by my favorite steak marinade! It comes together quickly and then you can forget about it while it cooks.

Shredded beef lifted out of a slow cooker with a large fork.

Ingredients for slow cooker shredded beef: Beef roast, soy sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, beef broth, garlic, and lemon.

Slow Cooked Beef Ingredients

Small or medium beef roast
Salt and pepper
Beef broth
Soy Sauce: You could also use tamari or coconut aminos (see recipe note)
Chopped/grated garlic
Crushed red pepper flakes
Lemon

Best Roast for Shredded Beef

I like to use chuck roasts for two reasons. First, chuck roasts are a tough cut of beef and need a long, slow cooking time to get them nice and tender. They do really well in a slow cooker. I also like them because they usually have a decent amount of fat on them which keeps the meat moist and flavorful.

You could use any other type of beef roast in this recipe, though.

Beef roast in a slow cooker covered with salt and pepper.

Soy sauce broth mixture poured over the roast.

How to Make Slow Cooker Shredded Beef

Place your roast in a slow cooker.
Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.
Combine the broth, soy sauce, garlic, and crushed pepper flakes in a bowl and pour it over and around the roast.
Cover and cook on low for 9-10 hours or until the beef pulls apart very easily with a fork.
Shred it into large or medium sized pieces inside the pot, sprinkle with some lemon juice and serv.

Finished slow cooker shredded beef pulled apart with a fork.

Slow Cooker Beef Recipe Tips

Make sure your roast is thawed out. If it’s partially frozen you’ll need to add on a couple of hours of cooking time.
If your roast is a pound or so larger or smaller than the recipe states, then adjust the ingredients and cooking time accordingly.
Don’t lift the lid while cooking. Let it cook for at least 8-9 hours before checking it.
When the roast is finished, pull it apart and then put it back into the cooking juices. That’s where all the flavor is!

What to make with Crockpot Beef

Pot roast style shredded beef is always tasty with a classic baked potato and green salad pairing. If you’re looking for something different, here are a few recipes that would go really well with this beef!

Mashed Potatoes Instant Pot

Cauliflower Puree (if you’re wanting a low carb option)

Crock pot Beef FAQs

Can I put raw beef in slow cooker?

Yes, raw beef is safe to put in a slow cooker.

Can you overcook pulled beef in slow cooker?

It’s possible, yes. If your beef has a lot of fat on it it will be more difficult to overcook. Leaner cuts of beef will dry out if cooked too long.

Should beef be covered in liquid in slow cooker?

Beef does not need to be completely covered in liquid for slow cooking. Adding a cup or two of liquid is sufficient since the meat itself will release a lot of juices.

Should you flip meat in a slow cooker?

It’s not necessary. If you have a leaner cut of meat or are worried about it drying out, feel free to flip it over halfway through cooking.

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If you make this recipe, be sure to post it to social media and tag me at @perrysplate or #perrysplate so I can send you some love!

Slow Cooked Beef (Crockpot Recipe)

Yield: Serves 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes

This slow cooker beef roast is inspired by my favorite steak marinade! It comes together quickly and then you can forget about it while it cooks.

Ingredients

3-4 pound roast, whole or cut into 2-3 large chunks
Generous sprinkle of salt and pepper
1 cup beef broth
1/3 cup coconut aminos or tamari sauce
6 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/2 - 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (depending on how spicy you like it)
Juice from half a lemon

Instructions

Place roast (thawed or frozen) in a 2.5 - 4 qt. slow cooker, and season with salt and pepper.
Add remaining ingredients over beef. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
Sprinkle with lemon juice and serve beef and juices over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.
If you wanted to make shredded beef sandwiches, just take the beef out a little early, shred it, return it to the slow cooker and cook for another 20-30 minutes.

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Lauren

Sunday 18th of March 2018

Does the lemon juice get added to the crockpot with all the other ingredients or saved for and added after? Recipe says to combine all ingredients but then to sprinkle with lemon juice after.

Natalie Perry

Sunday 25th of March 2018

Oops, yes. Afterward. I'll edit the instructions. Thanks for catching that!

Donna

Friday 29th of August 2014

Too salty.

Sorry you felt that way! I've learned that salt is a completely personal preference. Luckily it can easily be adjusted. :)

Amy W

Sunday 22nd of April 2012

Making it now - can't wait! Has anyone tried it "as is" versus browning the meat first? Just found this blog - I love it!

Natalie

Thursday 25th of June 2009

Thanks Ibiam! I'm glad you liked it!

Ibiam

Wednesday 24th of June 2009

That was a delicious recipe made it twice for Sunday dinner