Shredded Beef Enchiladas

If you’re looking for a dish that’s not just delicious but also brings the whole family together, look no further than shredded beef enchiladas! These tasty treats are packed with juicy, tender beef, wrapped snugly in warm tortillas, and smothered in rich, zesty sauce. Perfect for any weeknight dinner, they can quickly become your new go-to meal. Fun fact: enchiladas have been a part of Mexican cuisine for centuries, with roots dating back to the Aztec civilization. It’s a dish steeped in history, made for sharing around the dinner table, and what’s more? Making them at home is simpler than you might think!

Much like our captivating Chicken Fajitas, shredded beef enchiladas offer a delightful combination of flavor and convenience. You get a satisfying meal on your plate in no time, and the family will be begging for seconds! So roll up your sleeves and get ready to treat your taste buds—this recipe could very well become a beloved family tradition.

What are Shredded Beef Enchiladas?

So, what’s the deal with the name “shredded beef enchiladas”? It sounds fancy, but it’s really just a fun way to describe a cozy dish that involves rolling up shredded beef in tortillas and slathering them with sauce. Ever tried to explain this dish to a friend without sounding complicated? It’s just like saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” but in this case, you might just steal everyone’s hearts. Enchiladas are essentially comfort food wrapped in a tortilla, and they make for an easy weeknight dinner. So, roll up your tortillas and dive into the deliciousness—your family will love you for it!

Why You’ll Love Shredded Beef Enchiladas

1. Flavorful Goodness: The main highlight of shredded beef enchiladas is the incredibly rich, melt-in-your-mouth beef filling complemented by the warm, gooey cheese and robust enchilada sauce. Each bite is an explosion of flavor that dances on your palate!
2. Cost-Effective: Making shredded beef enchiladas at home is budget-friendly, especially since you can use leftover beef or purchase affordable cuts. Why spend more at a restaurant when you can prepare these delightful enchiladas in your kitchen?
3. Customizable Toppings: One of the best things about shredded beef enchiladas is that you can personalize your toppings! From tangy sour cream to fresh cilantro, avocado, or a sprinkle of cheese, the sky’s the limit! Plus, they’re an exciting way to experiment with flavors. If you love this dish, you might also enjoy our Black Bean Tacos—another crowd-pleaser on the blog. Ready to roll? Let’s make these enchiladas!

How to Make Shredded Beef Enchiladas

Quick Overview

Shredded beef enchiladas are a breeze to prepare and incredibly satisfying. With just a handful of steps, you can create a mouthwatering dish that’s perfect for any night of the week! The best part? They’re customizable and can be prepped in about 40 minutes from start to finish. Let’s get cooking!

Key Ingredients for Shredded Beef Enchiladas

• 2 cups shredded beef (cooked)
• 8 small corn or flour tortillas
• 2 cups enchilada sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Olive oil for sautéing
• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Once hot, sauté the diced onion until transparent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic, cumin, and chili powder, and stir for an additional 1 minute.
2. Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sautéed onion and garlic mixture with the shredded beef. Add half of the enchilada sauce and mix until well combined.
3. Prepare the Tortillas: If using corn tortillas, warm them in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds on each side to make them pliable. If using flour tortillas, they can be used as is.
4. Assemble the Enchiladas: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place 2-3 tablespoons of the beef filling on each tortilla, roll them up tightly, and place seam-side down in a greased baking dish.
5. Sauce It Up: Once all the enchiladas are in the baking dish, pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top. Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously over the sauce.
6. Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
7. Serve: Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

What to Serve Shredded Beef Enchiladas With

To elevate your meal, consider serving shredded beef enchiladas with some delightful sides! A refreshing Mexican corn salad offers a burst of flavor and texture, while a simple guacamole brings creamy goodness that perfectly complements the dish. Don’t forget a chilled glass of horchata or a zesty margarita (mocktail version works too!) to wash it all down!

Top Tips for Perfecting Shredded Beef Enchiladas

1. Ingredient Substitutions: Don’t have shredded beef? You can easily swap it for shredded chicken or even black beans for a vegetarian twist!
2. Timing Adjustments: For a deep flavor, allow the beef to marinate in spices overnight. You can also prep the filling and store it in the refrigerator for a quicker assembly.
3. Common Mistakes: Avoid overstuffing the tortillas, as they can tear. Secure each enchilada tightly, but don’t go overboard with the filling!

Storing and Reheating Tips

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store the enchiladas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, they can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes until heated through. You can also microwave them, covering with a damp paper towel to keep them moist.

Now that you have the lowdown on these delicious shredded beef enchiladas, it’s time to gather your ingredients and get cooking! Your next family meal is about to be a fiesta of flavors, and we can’t wait for you to dig in. Enjoy!

Shredded Beef Enchiladas

Succulent shredded beef wrapped in tortillas and topped with rich, zesty sauce and gooey cheese, perfect for family dinners.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 40 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Calories: 350

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Filling

• 2 cups shredded beef (cooked) Can use leftover beef.
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder

For Assembly

• 8 small corn or flour tortillas Warm corn tortillas in a dry skillet to make pliable.
• 2 cups enchilada sauce Store-bought or homemade.
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
• Olive oil for sautéing
• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Method

 

Preparation

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Once hot, sauté the diced onion until transparent, about 3-4 minutes.
2. Add the minced garlic, cumin, and chili powder, and stir for an additional 1 minute.
3. In a large bowl, combine the sautéed onion and garlic mixture with the shredded beef. Add half of the enchilada sauce and mix until well combined.
4. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place 2-3 tablespoons of the beef filling on each tortilla, roll them up tightly, and place seam-side down in a greased baking dish.

Baking

1. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top. Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously over the sauce.
2. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Serving

1. Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

Can substitute shredded beef with shredded chicken or black beans for a vegetarian option. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days or freeze for 3 months.