# Chipotle Lime Shredded Beef Tacos

Chuck roast with chipotle powder from the start and fresh lime at the end, so the acid stays bright.

 

 

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## Chipotle Lime Shredded Beef Tacos

Recipe by Iren Pavlenko

 

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0.0 from 0 votes ** 

Course: Main CourseDifficulty: Easy

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

9

hours 

Chuck roast with chipotle powder from the start and fresh lime at the end, so the acid stays bright.

### Ingredients

- 1 beef chuck roast, 3 lb
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp chipotle powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 2 limes, juiced and zested
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 8 to 12 corn tortillas

### Directions

- Mix the chili powder, chipotle, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, oregano and salt.
- Pat the roast dry and rub the mix over all sides.
- Spread the onion and garlic on the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Set the roast on top and pour the broth around the edge.
- Cover and cook on LOW 8 to 10 hours, until the thickest part reads 195 to 205°F.
- Lift the roast onto a board and shred it along the grain.
- Return the meat to the pot, add the juice of one lime and half the zest, and stir.
- Rest the strands in the juice for 20 minutes.
- Taste and add salt or more lime if the juice is flat.
- Fill warm tortillas, then top with cilantro and the rest of the zest.

 

### Notes

 

Chipotle powder varies by brand, so start with a half teaspoon if you are unsure. Squeeze lime over each taco again at the table.

 

  

## Why lime goes in at the end

 

Acid fades over a long cook. Adding the juice and zest at the end keeps the lime tasting fresh, while chipotle in the rub gives a smoky background heat.

 

The result is balanced, not just hot.

 

## Swaps and serving

 

Chipotle in adobo can replace the powder, but use less since it is stronger. Do not add all the lime at the start. Serve with cilantro, onion and avocado.

 

Crema or sour cream cools the heat.

 

## Storing and the heat mistake

 

Keep the beef in its juice for 4 days. It freezes well.

 

The mistake is going heavy on chipotle powder. Heat builds in the pot over hours, and brands vary a lot.

 

## Balancing heat and acid

 

Chipotle brings smoke and heat, and lime brings brightness. If a bite tastes dull, add lime. If it is too hot, add a spoon of crema or serve with avocado. Stir the zest in only at the end so it keeps its fragrance instead of cooking off.