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Mexican beef torta sandwich with shredded beef and toppings.
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5 from 2 votes

Mexican Tortas (Shredded Beef Torta Sandwiches)

Mexican beef tortas are hearty sandwiches made with crusty bolillo rolls and filled with tender shredded beef. The beef is slow cooked with chiles and spices until it’s juicy, then layered with toppings for a balanced, satisfying sandwich.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time6 hours
Total Time6 hours 10 minutes
Course: Lunch, Main Dishes
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 6 sandwiches
Calories: 511kcal
Author: Kelly Bloom
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Equipment

  • Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker

Ingredients

Mexican Shredded Beef

  • 1 cup Beef broth
  • 2 lb Beef Chuck roast, trimmed of fat
  • 1 teaspoon Cocoa powder unsweetened
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon ground
  • ½ teaspoon Cloves ground
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin ground
  • ½ teaspoon Anise seeds whole
  • 1 teaspoon Chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon Oregano
  • 1½ teaspoon Salt
  • 6 Bolillo rolls or hoagie rolls

Mexican Beef Tortas Toppings

  • Shredded Cabbage
  • Cotija cheese crumbled, or shredded cheese of choice
  • Avocado slices
  • Sour cream
  • Cilantro fresh, chopped
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Combine the cocoa powder, cinnamon, ground cloves, cumin, anise seeds, chili powder, and oregano in a small bowl.
    1 teaspoon Cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon Cinnamon, ½ teaspoon Cloves, 1 teaspoon Cumin, ½ teaspoon Anise seeds, 1 teaspoon Chili powder, 1 teaspoon Oregano, 1½ teaspoon Salt
  • Cover the top of the roast with the spice seasoning blend, coating all sides. Allow the beef to sit with the seasoning for 30 minutes to 1 hour in the refrigerator.
  • Add the beef broth to the bottom of the crockpot, then set the beef in next.
    2 lb Beef, 1 cup Beef broth
  • Cover the crockpot and cook for 6 hours on LOW, or 3 hours on HIGH.
  • Shred the beef and cook in the crockpot for 1 additional hour on HIGH.
  • Open up the bolillo or hoagie rolls and hollow out by removing some of the soft bread.
    6 Bolillo rolls
  • Add shredded cabbage, Mexican pickled carrots, Pickled Red Onions, or any toppings you prefer.
    Shredded Cabbage, Sour cream, Cilantro
  • Add meat and drizzle with some of the broth in the crockpot. Top with slices of avocado and cheese. Serve and enjoy.
    Avocado slices, Cotija cheese

Notes

  • Control the moisture: Let the beef sit uncovered for a few minutes after shredding so it’s juicy but not watery.
  • Don’t skip hollowing the bread: This keeps the torta from getting dense and helps it hold fillings.
  • Use some cooking liquid, not all: A light drizzle adds flavor without making the sandwich soggy.

Nutrition

Calories: 511kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 1085mg | Potassium: 503mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 110IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 5mg
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