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While serving as a missionary to the Latino people in Sacramento, people would often do a “double take” when they saw this blonde haired, blue eyed girl speaking Spanish to them. They would quickly ask me where I learned Spanish and I would joke that I was actually from Los Altos de Jalisco where “gueros” or “white people” were often born in Mexico. After a few more sentences they would realize I was no native because my Spanish was not THAT great. I would tell them that I was a Mexican at heart though because I loved the culture and the food. I grew up with one of my best friends from Mexico and I could not get enough of her mom’s delicious food! Over the years I have been learning and perfecting my own Mexican recipes and these Sweet and Spicy Shredded Beef Tostadas are a favorite! They are so incredibly easy which is perfect for busy moms, throw them in the crock-pot in the morning and you have a delicious meal in the evening for your family!
One of my brothers and his wife recently moved back to Utah from California, so we had a little Mexican dinner night and enjoyed having them home again. Everyone loved this Sweet and Spicy Shredded Beef! Some people enjoyed it on tostadas, while others had it in a burrito, I even had it on some super nachos for lunch the next day! This recipe is so versatile and it freezes really well!
One of the things I love about this recipe is that I can easily find all the ingredients I need from my local Walmart! RO*TEL canned tomatoes make this shredded beef have loads of flavor, and add that bit of spice that Mexican dishes are famous for, all in one can. You can find them on the canned vegetables aisle right next to the diced tomatoes. Add all the fresh produce you need to make your favorite guacamole recipe, and you are good to go!
Start off by throwing all the ingredients in your crock -pot. Our family loves a good amount of spice, but if you have never used RO*TEL tomatoes and chilies, I would do one can of the Mild and one of the Original. If you and your family are not sensitive, go ahead and do both Original, our family loves that extra kick!
This recipe is super simple! I usually go ahead and just mix things up with my hands, and give the meat a good rub making sure things are mixed evenly. Put on the lid and set it to cook for the longest time you can – on my crock-pot it is 10 hours. Cooking it low and slow helps the meat to be nice and tender, and for all the flavors to mix and set.
Once it has cooked you will remove the meat from all the juices and vegetables. Let it rest 10 minutes, then you can begin shredding it. This helps the meat stay moist. Once you have it shredded to your liking, use a slotted spoon and move the RO*TEL tomatoes and chilies, and the diced onions to your shredded beef and mix. I add about 1/2 cup of liquid to the meat, but you can add as much or as little as you like.
Place some meat on top of a tostada, add some queso fresco, lime, lettuce, whatever you prefer. Pair it with some Spanish rice and beans, chips and guacamole, or pico de gallo. You can put some of the beef in a flour tortilla with your favorite toppings for a burrito, or in a salad, the possibilities are endless!
The sweet and spicy meat made these nachos over the top delicious!
Guacamole is something we always make when serving Mexican food, but have you ever made too much and winced as you saw how much was going to be wasted as it browns so easily? I have found myself in that same situation many times, and recently at our family get together we had some left over guacamole. I have tried saving it with the pit as many suggest, but I always end up with semi-brown guac. I have tried wrapping with saran wrap, but that has never done too well either. I overheard a lady at a party telling her friend how to avoid the browning and decided to give it a try, and guess what?! It worked!!
Make sure you use some lemon or lime juice in your recipe. Not only does it add to the flavor of your guacamole, but it helps to keep things fresh while on the party table.
Find a container that will fit all your remaining guacamole and spoon it in. I like to use a pint jar. Make sure you smooth out any air bubbles in the guac.
Then you will add about 1/2 inch to 1 inch of water over the top. Feeling worried? Well it totally works! Leave it in the refrigerator and when you are ready to eat it just dump the water off the top in the sink.
Spoon your guacamole into a bowl and give it a good stir to mix in any excess water, and you have some super delicious guacamole to enjoy which is not brown at all! The longest I have done is 24 hours because guacamole does not last too long at our house, but this lady said she had saved it up to 3 days, even prepped guacamole for parties days before and had fantastic results!
So, when are you going to have a yummy Mexican dinner night with your family? I would love to hear how it goes! You can check out some other yummy Mexican food recipes HERE, and don’t forget to use some awesome offers from Ibotta for other ConAgra products to make your meal even better!
See the Happy!
- 2.5 - 3 lbs chuck roast
- 2 cans RO*TEL Tomatoes (entire contents of can) Original is a bit more spicy than mild, if you need to tone it down use 1 mild, one Original
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 3/4 brown sugar
- 2 tbs minced garlic
- 1 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Place the meat in your crock-pot. Sprinkle the salk, pepper, and cumin on both sides of the meat. Add in the two cans of RO*TEL tomatoes and chilies, and the onion and garlic. Using your hands mix all the ingredients and give the meat a good rub. Place the lid on top and turn the crock-pot on to the 10 hour setting.
- About an hour before your meat is done, start prepping ant sides or dicing vegetables you wish to enjoy with your tostadas.
- When the meat is done, remove it from the juices and allow to sit for about 10 -15 minutes, then shred the meat. Using a slotted spoon, soon the tomatoes, chilies, and onions out of the liquid and mix it with your shredded beef. Add about 1/2 cup of the liquid, more if desired.
- Build your own tostada or burrito with the desired fixins, add your favorite side dishes and enjoy!
Guacamole recipe next, please!
Thanks for stopping by Lisa! The guacamole recipe that I love is actually from Bite of Delight. You can enter guacamole in her search bar and the recipe will come up. I do things by eye now, but that is that recipe that we love!
I want to eat this right now! Looks so delicious! I love using Rotel tomatoes in recipes and I will have to try this one. Plus I love the ease of using my crockpot! And I will have to try the tip on keeping guacamole fresh. I’ve tried lots of ways with no success.
Thanks so much Jenny! Crock-pot meals are the best, and this one is a favorite for sure! I hear ya about the guac, I was super skeptical, but it seriously works!!
I’m impressed you make shredded beef look tasty! (A skill I have yet to master)! 🙂 Looks delicious!
Ha! Thanks so much Laura! As we all know, even though some things don’t look that great, it can taste amazing 🙂 This recipe is good on both counts 😉
Looks delish! Love shredded beef. It’s my favorite meat for any type of Mexican dish ?
Shredded beef is my favorite too! So delicious! Thanks so much for stopping by Joanie!
I’ve never made tostadas with anything other than refried beans. This sounds delicious and I absolutely love Mexican food. I can’t wait to try it!
I love a good tostada with home made beans, but I think that shredded beef is one of my favorites! I would love to hear how it goes, thanks Jocelyn!
Ok, it must be a Canadian thing but when we make tostadas we use ground beef instead of shredded beef.
I am going to have to try it with shredded beef…it looks so delicious!
I had no idea that was a Canadian thing! While living among the Latino people we ate just about everything on a tostada accept ground beef – lol! Shredded beef is one of my favorite ways to enjoy a tostada. I hope you like them, and I would love to hear how it goes 🙂
I’m sorry I can not comment because I am wiping the drool from my chin. . . These look like they came from my favorite Mexican restaurant! yummmm…………..
Ha, Ha! Thanks so much Rachel! We all have a favorite Mexican restaurant, but it is so fun to create some favorites at home too 🙂
Nachos and guacamole are my absolute favorite things to eat. I can’t wait to try out your recipe. I love all things crock pot! 🙂
Crock pots are so great for busy moms, and I agree! Some nachos and a good guacamole are stand alone meals all on their own! I would love to hear how you like it 🙂
This is my kind of party! Guacamole and salsa are my favorite things!
Guacamole is so very addicting, and I love me some pico de gallo and salsa, it could be a party all on its own 🙂 Thanks Amanda!
Wow. I think this looks every bit as good as some restaurants! I would love to have this for dinner!
That is just so kid of you to say Terri! I appreciate it! It is such an easy meal prep and people love it!
You’re making me craving for something now..lol! The meat looks so tender and I’m sure the taste is delicious! Can we use a regular pot instead of crock pot?
Thanks so much for your kind words Rose! You can use a regular pot, you would just simmer the meat for about 2.5 hours ( or until fully cooked and can be easily shred), and you have to make sure you check it periodically to make sure it still has plenty of liquid or you could burn it 🙂 If you decide to make it I would love to hear howi t goes!
I love all things crockpot. Thank you for sharing, i will certainly be trying this.
Crock-pots make life for busy people so much easier! I love coming home after a long day to everything being basically done for me. I would love to hear what you all think about it, please come back and let me know how it goes 🙂
This looks delicious! I have never had tostadas, but man they sure look yummy! And we love to eat Mexican, so I am not sure why I haven’t branched out!
Thanks so much Heather! Tostadas are so delicious! It is basically a giant chip and you can add pretty much anything you like on it. I hope you get a chance to try them 🙂
Wow this looks delicious. I don’t think I’ve ever had shredded beef before but this looks like something the whole family would enjoy! My kids LOVE spicy foods!
Thanks so much Jeanine! Shredded beef is one of my favorites, and if your kids like spicy, then they are sure to love this recipe! Thanks so much for stopping by!
I don’t eat meat but 1. I could easily make this veggie tostados and 2. does that mean I can have extra guac. I’m going to try your food storage tip. Thanks!
If you love guacamole then this storage tip is for you! The lady I heard it from said she has even made guacamole for parties in advance! I am sure this will save you time and will eliminate wasting delicious guac!
I absolutely love Mexican food, and so does my boyfriend so I’m going to make this for us both. Great recipe!
Thank you so much Megan! Mexican food is SO good, and being able to have it at home is the best! Please let me know how you guys like it 🙂
Hi Kirsten, I’m trying this recipe tonight Friday the 29th. My husband is meat and bread and when I try new recipes he gets the “glazed look” in his eyes. He was raised eating simple county southern food.
Me- varied and because of that I learned to love cuisines from different countries. I love live seafoods,veggies and loved eating while in San Francisco. All the restaurants and fresh fruit.
Unfortunately, we were not in Utah long enough to really get a good idea of what was available. But I love love Salt Lake City.
I hear you, my husband and I grew up eating very different foods as well 🙂 I think it is great to try new recipes, you never know what will be a new favorite! I am excited for you guys to try it, please come back and let me know what you think!
Kirsten I am totally going to try this recipe this weekend! My family is all getting together and I figured it was the perfect time to try a new recipe. I can’t wait because it looks amazing! And I totally love the guacamole tip!
Yay! Thanks Marli! I hope you guys love it as much as we did – please come back and let me know how it goes 😉