Simple Shredded Beef Fajitas (In A Slow Cooker!)

The other day, my friend said that I need to post more “recipes that aren’t really recipes…” I know exactly what she means. Please, Erin, just tell me to throw a couple of ingredients into my slow cooker and, like magic, my kids will have dinner before dark.

These simple shredded beef fajitas couldn’t fit the bill better … truly a recipe that’s not really a recipe. Throw some beef in the slow cooker, add water and spices. Done.

We try to keep a decent amount of meat on hand in the freezer from our local farmers so we never have to run out to the grocery store last minute. I know you know what I am talking about… “A quick trip” to the grocery store always seems to cost me at least twenty-five dollars. How is that possible? If we keep a few staples on hand and some meat in the freezer, dinner is much less of a hassle.

For this fancy fajita dinner, I used about a pound of beef stew meat. When you are cooking meat in a slow cooker, the cut is not so important because slow cooking it for a few hours is going to tenderize any cut of meat. This stew meat was actually a gift – when one of my favorite farmers was dropping off some food here the other day he had some extra stew meat and asked if I might be able to use it. Hmmm… I didn’t waste a second. Yes!! Leave it here! Please and thank you.

If you order fajitas at a restaurant, they might arrive sizzling on a hot platter or cast iron griddle … while that option is lovely, this approach is way more practical…

Shredded Beef Fajitas 

Ingredients:
1 lb beef stew meet (or similar)
1 cup of chicken broth or water
1 teaspoon each of chili powder, salt, cumin, paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
Crushed red pepper or cayenne pepper – optional

Directions:
Pour broth or water over stew meat. Add spices. Cook on high for about 3 to 3 1/2 hours. When the meat has been cooked enough, you should be able to pull it apart using two forks.

Pull the meat apart – season more if necessary.

Serve over warmed corn tortillas with a little bit of rice and top with chopped veggies. My kids love red onions, chopped scallions, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese.

Enjoy!!