Recipe Video Guide

Essential Ingredients for Your Slow Cooker Beef Burritos

For the Flavorful Beef Filling:

• London Broil Roast: The foundation of our delicious burritos. This lean cut becomes incredibly tender when slow-cooked, perfect for shredding. If London Broil isn’t available, you can easily substitute it with a chuck roast, flank steak, or top or bottom round for similar results.
• Yellow Onion: Provides a sweet, savory base that mellows beautifully during the long cooking process. Yellow onions are ideal for cooking due to their balanced flavor.
• Fresh Garlic Cloves: Don’t skimp on the garlic! At least four cloves are recommended for a robust flavor, but feel free to add more if you’re a garlic enthusiast. Fresh garlic offers a pungent aroma and depth that powdered garlic simply can’t replicate.
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper: While pre-ground pepper works, freshly ground black pepper always delivers a superior, more intense flavor. It’s truly worth the small effort.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: This secret ingredient not only helps tenderize the meat but also adds a subtle tang that brightens the overall flavor profile of the beef, balancing the richness.
• Tomato Sauce: Forms the essential tomato-y base for the sauce, contributing a mild acidity and a foundational savory taste that coats the shredded beef beautifully.
• Jalapeño: Adds a delightful kick of heat and fresh, vibrant flavor. You can adjust the quantity and whether you leave seeds in or remove them based on your personal heat tolerance. For a milder flavor, remove all seeds and membranes.
• Chili Powder: A crucial spice for authentic Tex-Mex flavor. Investing in a high-quality chili powder blend will significantly enhance the depth and complexity of your burritos. Different blends offer varying levels of heat and smokiness.
• Non-stick Cooking Spray: For preparing your slow cooker, ensuring easy cleanup and preventing the meat from sticking to the pot.

Suggested Add-ins and Garnishes (Customize Your Burrito Bar!):

• Large Burrito-Sized Tortillas: The perfect vehicle for your delicious beef filling. Warm them slightly for better flexibility. Alternatively, serve with rice for satisfying burrito bowls.
• Cool Sour Cream: Adds a creamy, tangy contrast to the spicy beef.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: A classic topping that melts beautifully, providing a rich, savory element. Monterrey Jack or a Mexican blend also works great.
• Fresh Diced Tomato: Offers a burst of freshness and a slight acidity.
• Zesty Salsa: Elevates the flavor with its vibrant, often spicy, kick. Choose your favorite mild, medium, or hot salsa.
• Hearty Black Beans: Adds fiber, protein, and a creamy texture. Pinto beans are another excellent option.
• Crisp Shredded Lettuce: Provides a refreshing crunch and cools the palate.
• Bright Diced Green Onion: Offers a mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
• Extra Jalapeño Slices: For those who love an extra fiery punch!
• Fresh Cilantro: Adds an essential herbaceous, citrusy note that truly completes the Mexican flavor profile.
• Anything Else Your Crew Loves: Don’t hesitate to include guacamole, corn salsa, pickled red onions, hot sauce, or anything else your family enjoys in their burritos!

Refer to the recipe card below for exact quantities.

Preparation and Cooking Time for Tender Beef Burritos

One of the greatest advantages of this slow cooker recipe is the minimal active prep time. You’ll only need approximately ten minutes to chop your vegetables and combine the ingredients before they go into the slow cooker. The slow cooker then does all the heavy lifting! Depending on the specific temperature settings and efficiency of your appliance, the initial cooking time will range from 4-5 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. After this, shredding the tender meat takes about ten minutes of active work, followed by an additional 30 minutes of simmering time back in the slow cooker to allow the shredded beef to fully absorb all the rich, flavorful juices. The majority of the cooking is passive, allowing you to go about your day and come home to a delicious, ready-to-assemble meal.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Delicious Slow Cooker Beef Burritos

Let’s get cooking! The process for these slow cooker beef burritos is incredibly straightforward, perfect for even the busiest days.

First, prepare your aromatics: finely chop the jalapeño (remember to seed it for less heat!), dice the onion, and mince the garlic (1). Next, prepare your slow cooker by spraying the inside generously with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy cleanup (2). Carefully place the London Broil roast into the bottom of the prepared slow cooker (3). Then, pour the rich tomato sauce directly over the top of the beef, ensuring it begins to coat the meat (4). This sets the foundation for a deeply flavorful sauce that will infuse into the beef as it slow cooks.

Now, it’s time to add all the wonderful flavors to the pot. Add the chopped jalapeño, diced onion, minced garlic, and the apple cider vinegar to the slow cooker, distributing them around the roast (5). Follow this by adding the chili powder and freshly ground black pepper (6). Once all ingredients are in, give the mixture a good stir, ensuring that the spices and vegetables are well combined and coating the beef and sauce (7 & 8). This initial stir helps distribute the flavors evenly, allowing them to meld together beautifully during the long cooking process.

With all your ingredients nestled in the slow cooker, place the lid firmly on top (9). Set your slow cooker to cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re in a bit more of a hurry, on high for 4 to 5 hours. The longer, slower cook time on low often yields more tender results. Once the cooking time is complete and the meat is fork-tender, carefully remove the roast from the slow cooker and allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes. This resting period helps the juices redistribute, ensuring a moist and flavorful shredded beef. After resting, use meat claws or two forks to shred the beef into succulent strands. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker, stir it thoroughly into the rich sauce (10), and continue to cook for an additional 30 minutes. This final simmer allows the shredded beef to fully absorb all the incredible flavors of the sauce, making every bite burst with taste.

✨ Pro Tip ✨

For tortillas that are easier to roll and less prone to tearing, lightly warm them. You can achieve this by stacking them, wrapping them in a damp paper towel, and microwaving for about 10-15 seconds. This simple step makes a huge difference in handling!

✨ Pro Tip ✨

When handling and cutting jalapeños, it’s highly recommended to wear plastic gloves. This simple precaution significantly reduces the risk of accidentally transferring irritating capsaicin oils to your eyes or face, which can cause discomfort. This is also an excellent way to reuse clean plastic produce bags you might have on hand!

Frequently Asked Questions About Beef Burritos

Adaptations for Dietary Restrictions

This versatile slow cooker beef burrito recipe can easily be adapted to suit various dietary needs without sacrificing flavor.

Gluten-Free: To make these burritos entirely gluten-free, simply swap out traditional flour tortillas for corn tortillas, which are naturally gluten-free. Always double-check labels to ensure no hidden gluten. (Please note that many “low-carb” tortillas are not necessarily gluten-free, so read ingredients carefully if you have a gluten sensitivity.)

Vegetarian: For a delicious vegetarian version, substitute the beef with an equal amount of black beans, pinto beans, or lentils. Black beans and pinto beans will offer a hearty texture similar to shredded meat, while lentils provide a rich, earthy flavor. Be sure to significantly reduce the cooking time, as beans and lentils do not require the extended slow cooking period that beef does. They will typically cook through in 1-2 hours on high or 3-4 hours on low, especially if starting with canned beans (rinsed) or pre-soaked lentils. You may also want to adjust seasoning to ensure the plant-based protein absorbs plenty of flavor.

Seasoned Crockpot Beef Burritos

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