Prepare to be amazed by a recipe born from a delightful culinary mishap, resulting in the most incredibly flavorful Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Smothered BBQ Beef Burritos! This dish is elevated to new heights by a creamy, luscious salsa verde sauce that truly makes it unforgettable. It’s a hearty, satisfying meal perfect for any day of the week, offering the ultimate comfort food experience with minimal fuss.
In today’s fast-paced world, kitchen appliances like the Instant Pot have become indispensable, streamlining meal preparation like never before. However, we haven’t forgotten the enduring appeal and unparalleled results of a good old-fashioned slow cooker. That’s why we’ve gone the extra mile to develop, test, and perfect this recipe for both cooking methods. No matter your preferred appliance, you are guaranteed to create succulent, melt-in-your-mouth shredded BBQ beef that forms the heart of these spectacular burritos. Our Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Smothered BBQ Beef Burritos are designed to fit seamlessly into your lifestyle, delivering maximum flavor with maximum convenience.
The Happy Accident: How These Smothered BBQ Beef Burritos Were Born
The origin of these delicious burritos is quite a story of serendipity! I initially intended to prepare a shredded chicken dish in the Instant Pot, but a last-minute change of plans led me to use a store-bought rotisserie chicken instead. With a beef roast patiently waiting in the fridge for its turn the following day, I decided to improvise. I grabbed what I believed to be our Homemade Taco Seasoning—which I usually keep in a convenient jar in the cupboard—and generously seasoned the roast before placing it into the Instant Pot. Little did I know, I had actually reached for a jar of our Smoky BBQ Rub, a flavorful blend Cade often uses for his famous Carolina Pulled Pork. The aroma that filled the kitchen an hour and a half later was incredible, but it wasn’t the expected taco flavor. Instead, it was a wonderfully rich and savory shredded BBQ beef, a truly delicious surprise!
Once the perfectly tender beef was shredded, I mixed it with our favorite Homemade BBQ Sauce. The result was so good that I immediately reached out to my talented friend, Jen from Carlsbad Cravings, who is renowned for her incredible Mexican food photography. Her expert tips were invaluable as I embarked on photographing this accidental masterpiece. While the BBQ beef was fantastic on its own, I felt it needed an extra layer of flavor and creaminess to truly shine. Inspired by our Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas, I crafted a dreamy, creamy salsa verde sauce. This addition transformed the dish into something spectacular! It’s rich, tangy, and utterly addictive, making these Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Smothered BBQ Beef Burritos our new favorite, even if it’s not a traditional taco night!
Pro Tip: Customize your BBQ beef by using either our Classic BBQ Sauce Recipe for a familiar taste or our Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe for a tangy, mustard-based kick. Both options complement the rich beef beautifully.
Choosing the Best Beef Roast for Perfect Shredded Beef
Selecting the right cut of beef is crucial for achieving tender, easily shredded results. While many roasts can work, we’ve found that a good beef chuck roast consistently delivers the best texture and flavor. This cut, typically from the shoulder, is known for its excellent marbling and connective tissue, which breaks down beautifully during long, slow cooking, resulting in incredibly moist and flavorful shredded beef. A tri-tip roast can also be a good alternative if you prefer a leaner option. When purchasing your roast, look for good marbling – those fine streaks of fat woven throughout the meat – as this contributes significantly to juiciness and flavor. However, ensure the roast isn’t overly fatty; a balance is key. Always check the color of the meat; it should be a vibrant red, not grayish, which can indicate age or improper storage.
Mastering Shredded Beef: Instant Pot for Speed, Slow Cooker for Tenderness
Achieving perfectly tender and delicious shredded beef is easiest with either a slow cooker or an Instant Pot. These methods excel at breaking down tough cuts of meat into succulent strands without needing a grill or smoker.
How to Make Shredded Beef Fast in an Instant Pot
If time is of the essence, the Instant Pot is your go-to. This versatile appliance can transform a tough beef roast into fall-apart tender shredded BBQ beef in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. For a whole beef roast, we recommend a 6-Quart 9-Function Instant Pot or an 8-Quart 7-Function Instant Pot to ensure ample space. The entire cooking process takes just 70 minutes of high-pressure cooking, followed by a natural pressure release.
Instant Pot Shredded Beef Method:
- Begin by generously rubbing your chosen BBQ rub all over the beef chuck roast. This crucial step infuses the meat with a deep, smoky flavor right from the start.
- Place the seasoned beef roast into the Instant Pot. Add 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of beef broth to the pot. These liquids help build pressure and contribute to the tenderness and flavor of the beef.
- Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting on high pressure for 70 minutes.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes. This step is vital as it allows the meat fibers to relax, retaining moisture and ensuring maximum tenderness.
- Carefully remove the beef from the Instant Pot and transfer it to a large cutting board. Using two forks, easily shred the beef into succulent pieces.
- Return the shredded beef to the Instant Pot (or a large bowl) and toss generously with 1-2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce until thoroughly coated. The residual heat will warm the sauce, allowing it to fully meld with the beef.
For more essential tips and tricks on using your Instant Pot for various recipes, don’t forget to check out our comprehensive Instant Pot Cheat Sheet!
How to Make Shredded BBQ Beef in a Slow Cooker
For those who appreciate the set-it-and-forget-it convenience and deeply developed flavors of “low and slow” cooking, the slow cooker is an excellent choice. This method ensures incredibly moist and tender shredded beef with minimal effort. We recommend using a reliable appliance like the Hamilton Beach Programmable Slow Cooker for consistent results.
Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Method:
- Prepare the beef roast just as you would for the Instant Pot method: generously rub it with your chosen BBQ rub to infuse flavor.
- Place the seasoned beef chuck roast into your slow cooker. Add 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of beef broth to the pot. These liquids create a flavorful braising environment.
- Cover and cook on the LOW setting for approximately 8 hours. While this may seem like a long time, the extended cooking period at a gentle temperature is key to breaking down the connective tissues in the beef, resulting in an exceptionally moist and tender texture that easily shreds.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the roast from the slow cooker (you can keep the slow cooker on low to keep the remaining liquid warm). Using two forks, shred the beef until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker, along with 1-2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce. Toss everything together to ensure the beef is thoroughly coated and infused with the delicious sauce.
How Much Shredded Beef Per Person?
When planning your meal, a common question is how much shredded beef to prepare. A general rule of thumb is to calculate about 1/2 pound (or 8 ounces) of cooked shredded beef per person. However, it’s wise to consider your guests’ appetites. For instance, if you’re serving small children, you can typically halve that amount. For adult males or those with heartier appetites, you might want to factor in a bit more, perhaps closer to 3/4 pound. This estimate allows for satisfying portions and usually leaves a little extra for potential leftovers, which are fantastic for meal prepping!
Can You Freeze Shredded BBQ Beef?
Absolutely! Shredded BBQ beef is an ideal meal to prepare in advance and freeze for later. It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for busy weeknights or unexpected guests. When you defrost the beef, you might notice that the fat has solidified; this is perfectly normal and actually beneficial! The solidified fat helps to keep the meat incredibly moist during the reheating process, preventing it from drying out.
For the best freezing results, we highly recommend using a Food Saver vacuum sealer. While this is not a sponsored recommendation, a Food Saver is genuinely one of the best investments you can make for your kitchen. It removes all air from the packaging, preventing freezer burn and preserving the flavor and texture of your meat for much longer. Package individual portions or family-sized servings, label them with the date, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in the oven until warmed through.
Assembling Your Ultimate Smothered BBQ Beef Burritos
Now for the exciting part – assembling these incredible burritos! While the shredded BBQ beef is fantastic on its own, adding a generous amount of cheese elevates it to an even more incredible level of deliciousness. Follow these steps for perfect, smothered burritos:
- Warm the Tortillas: Gently warm your tortillas until they are pliable. This prevents tearing and makes them easier to roll. You can do this in the microwave (a few seconds per tortilla), in a dry skillet over medium heat, or wrapped in foil in a warm oven.
- Fill the Tortillas: Lay a warmed tortilla flat. Spoon a generous amount of shredded BBQ beef down the center. Top the beef with a sprinkle of shredded Colby Jack cheese.
- Roll Tightly: Fold in the short ends of the tortilla, then tightly roll it from one long side to the other, creating a secure burrito. Place the rolled burritos seam-side down on a baking sheet.
- Prepare the Creamy Salsa Verde Sauce: In a blender, combine 16 oz. of Herdez Salsa Verde (from a jar for convenience and flavor) with 1 cup of heavy whipping cream. Pulse until the sauce is smooth and creamy. This sauce is the secret weapon that brings all the flavors together!
- Smother and Broil: Generously pour the creamy salsa verde sauce over each burrito on the baking sheet, ensuring they are well-covered. Sprinkle a little more Colby Jack cheese on top of the sauce.
- Melt to Perfection: Place the baking sheet under a preheated broiler for just a few minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Watch carefully to prevent burning!
- Final Touches: Serve your luscious burritos immediately. For an extra layer of freshness and flavor, top each smothered burrito with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, and a spoonful of our Restaurant Style Salsa.
These Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Smothered BBQ Beef Burritos are a true showstopper – incredibly flavorful, deeply satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make. Enjoy every single bite!
Explore More Delicious Recipes:
Our Favorite QUESADILLA and BURRITO RECIPES:
- Grilled S’mores Dessert Quesadillas
- Enchilada Style Ground Beef Burrito
- Cafe Rio {Copycat} Sweet Pork Quesadilla
- Easy Quesadilla Recipe
- Teriyaki Chicken Quesadilla
- Deep Fried Bean and Cheese Quesadilla
- Mango Bacon Chicken Quesadilla
- Smothered Honey Lime Chicken Burrito
- Slow Cooker Mango Chicken Burritos
- Steak Burrito with Grilled Zucchini
- Smothered Cafe Rio {Copycat} Chicken Burrito
- Beef and Bean Burrito
- Scrambled Eggs Breakfast Burritos
- Apple Sausage Breakfast Burritos
- All our favorite Mexican Recipes here!
More Incredible Crock Pot & Slow Cooker Recipes:
- Creamy Chicken and Rice
- Slow Cooker Beef Brisket
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili
- Crock Pot Cafe Rio Chicken
- Crock Pot Roasted Chicken
- Slow Cooker Pineapple Mexican Chicken
- Slow Cooker Potato Broccoli Corn Chowder with Bacon
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs in the Slow Cooker
- Asian Sticky Slow Cooker Ribs
- Chili Sauce and Grape Jelly Slow Cooker Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Beef
- Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken
- Chicken Carnitas
- All our CROCKPOT and SLOW COOKER recipes here!
Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Smothered BBQ Beef Burritos
Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Smothered BBQ Beef Burritos
Ingredients
- 1 Beef Chuck Roast, 5-7 pounds
- [Homemade BBQ Rub]
- 1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Cup Beef Broth
- [1-2 Cups Homemade BBQ Sauce]
- 16 oz. Herdez Salsa Verde
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream , or to taste
- 3 Cups Colby Jack Cheese, shredded
- 12 Tortillas
- Sour Cream for Serving
Instructions
For the Instant Pot
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Rub the beef all over with the rub and discard any remaining rub.1 Beef Chuck Roast, [Homemade BBQ Rub]
-
Place the beef in the instant pot with the vinegar and broth and turn it on to manual, high pressure for 70 minutes. Once finished, allow the slow release for 10-15 minutes.1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 Cup Beef Broth
-
Remove the meat to a pan or cutting board and shred the meat.
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Place the meat and the bbq sauce in the instant pot and stir to coat. Place the lid back on while you prepare the other ingredients.[1-2 Cups Homemade BBQ Sauce]
For the Slow Cooker
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Prepare the beef as stated above and place in a slow cooker on low for 8 hours. This may seem like a long time but it will lead to the most moist and tender beef ever.1 Beef Chuck Roast, [Homemade BBQ Rub], 1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 Cup Beef Broth
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Remove the roast, shred the meat and place back in the slow cooker with the BBQ sauce, stirring to coat.[1-2 Cups Homemade BBQ Sauce]
For the Sauce
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In a blender, pulse together the verde and heavy cream until smooth.16 oz. Herdez Salsa Verde, 1 Cup Heavy Cream
To Assemble
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Place the beef and some shredded cheese in a warmed and pliable tortilla. Fold in the ends and roll tightly closed. Place on a baking sheet.12 Tortillas, 3 Cups Colby Jack Cheese
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Cover each burrito with sauce and cheese and broil until the cheese is melted.Sour Cream for Serving
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
