Smoked Shredded Beef Tacos Recipe

Brace yourself for a flavor explosion—Smoked Shredded Beef Tacos are where ultra-tender, smoky beef meets vibrant street corn salsa and a zippy chipotle lime crema, all bundled up in a warm tortilla. This is the kind of handheld meal you’ll crave again and again, with every bite packing savory, spicy, and tangy goodness.

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

Don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list—each item has a starring role in delivering bold, layered flavor and irresistible texture for your Smoked Shredded Beef Tacos. Trust me, these ingredients are straightforward, but when they come together, magic happens!

• 3.5 pound shoulder roast: This cut is perfect for shredding after a long, smoky cook—juicy, meaty, and richly flavored.
• Your favorite BBQ rub: Bring on the flavor early! This forms a delicious crust and infuses the beef as it smokes.
• 4 ancho chilies & 4 Guajillo chilies: Toasty, earthy, and a little fruity, these dried chilies build an authentic, mouthwatering sauce (remove seeds if you prefer less heat).
• 1 large white onion, chopped: Adds aromatic sweetness and depth—it’s a must for the sauce base.
• 2 tablespoons butter: Gives the onions a silky finish and helps them caramelize perfectly.
• 3 large cloves garlic: Infuses the sauce with warm, savory notes.
• 7.5 ounce can Chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce, divided: Smoky, spicy, and slightly tangy—these peppers pop up in the beef braise, salsa, and crema.
• 6 cups chicken stock: Combines with the chilies to make a deeply flavorful braising liquid for the beef.
• Street Corn Salsa: A vibrant mix of grilled corn, jalapeño, red bell pepper, cilantro, mayo, Adobo sauce, red onion, chili powder, cumin, salt, and cotija cheese—crunchy, creamy, totally irresistible!
• Chipotle Lime Crema: A blend of sour cream, mayo, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, cumin, garlic, and the rest of the chipotle in Adobo sauce. It ties all the taco flavors together!
• Shredded queso cheese & your favorite tortillas: To finish off your masterpiece—don’t skip the cheese for that perfect melt!

Variations

One of the joys of Smoked Shredded Beef Tacos is how easy they are to customize. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or working with what’s already in your pantry, these tasty tacos are ready for your personal twist!

• Try Other Cuts: Chuck roast or brisket both work beautifully if you want to mix things up or take advantage of a sale.
• Switch Up the Salsa: Swap the street corn salsa for classic pico de gallo, mango salsa, or even just a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and onion if you’re keeping it simple.
• Go Dairy-Free: Use vegan cheese or skip the cheese and crema for a dairy-free spin that still hits all the right notes.
• Amp Up the Heat: Add habanero to the salsa or use extra chipotles if you like your tacos with a serious kick!

How to Make Smoked Shredded Beef Tacos

Step 1: Smoke the Beef Roast

Start by generously coating your beef roast with your favorite BBQ rub, pressing it in for maximum flavor. Place it on a pan in your smoker at 270°F with a couple pieces of hickory wood. Let it soak up all those gorgeous smoky aromas for about two hours—your backyard will smell outrageously good!

Step 2: Prepare the Chili Sauce

While the beef is smoking, remove stems and seeds from the ancho and guajillo chilies, then tear them into smaller pieces. Drop them into a Dutch oven with 4 cups of chicken stock, bring it to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it steep (the longer it sits, the more flavorful the sauce becomes!).

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics & Blend

Melt butter in a skillet and sauté the chopped onion until soft and golden. Add onions, whole garlic cloves, and half the can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to the chili mixture. Puree everything together until smooth, then press through a sieve into a bowl—you want every last drop of that smoky essence!

Step 4: Braise the Beef

Place your smoked beef roast in the Dutch oven and pour the silky chili sauce over it. Add more chicken stock as needed so the sauce comes halfway up the beef. Put the lid on (slightly cracked!), and braise at 300°F for 3-4 more hours, until the meat shreds with the gentlest touch of a fork.

Step 5: Shred & Assemble

Carefully lift the beef onto a cutting board and shred it into melt-in-your-mouth strands. Pile it into warm tortillas with shredded cheese, a big scoop of street corn salsa, and a lavish drizzle of chipotle lime crema. Prepare for taco perfection!

How to Serve Smoked Shredded Beef Tacos

Garnishes

These tacos practically beg for all your favorite toppers—think extra cotija, sliced radishes, pickled red onions, creamy avocado, and perhaps a little fresh lime to squeeze over the top. Let everyone in on the fun and set up a garnish bar!

Side Dishes

Round out your taco feast with a couple of simple sides: zesty Mexican rice, charro beans, or crunchy cabbage slaw all play beautifully with the smokiness of the beef. And don’t forget some crisp tortilla chips for scooping up any stray salsa or sauce!

Creative Ways to Present

Turn taco night into a real party—serve the Smoked Shredded Beef and toppings on a big platter “DIY bar” style for taco assembly fun, layer leftovers into a taco salad, or pile that glorious beef on baked nachos for the ultimate game-day treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cool any leftover beef completely, then store in an airtight container with a little of the reserved sauce to keep it moist. The salsa and crema keep beautifully in separate containers—you’ll be grateful for easy lunches all week!

Freezing

Smoked Shredded Beef freezes exceptionally well! Portion the cooled, shredded beef into zip-top bags (again, add a splash of sauce for moisture) and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and you’re halfway to taco bliss.

Reheating

For best results, gently reheat the beef on the stove with a spoonful of sauce or steam it quickly in the microwave under a damp paper towel—this keeps every bite just as juicy and flavorful as the day you made it.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a taco night upgrade or a truly showstopping dinner, there’s nothing quite like Smoked Shredded Beef Tacos. The slow-smoked beef, bright salsas, and bold flavors are always a hit—so round up your favorite people and dig in. I can’t wait for you to taste just how incredible these homemade tacos can be!

Print