Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa
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This beef barbacoa isn’t just tender – it’s melt-in-your-mouth, flavor-bomb, can’t-stop-won’t-stop delicious! The beef is cooked low and slow and infused with all the Mexican flavors you love, then topped with lime wedges and fresh cilantro for the perfect balance. It’s a high-protein, low-effort meal you can enjoy in tacos, burrito bowls, salads, and more.
You’re probably here because you love Mexican dishes – and I don’t blame you because I love them, too! I’ve shared recipes of a few of my favorites here in the blog like , and low-carb taco soup, cheesy taco skillet, Mexican omelette, and Mexican-style ground beef lettuce wraps. Now, you have this delicious beef barbacoa to add to your list!
Here’s the beauty of it: with just a handful of ingredients and a slow cooker doing all the heavy lifting, you get juicy, spicy, perfectly seasoned shredded beef that’s ready to roll into tacos, pile onto burrito bowls, stuff into quesadillas, or even crown a crunchy tostada.
Table of Contents (click to view)
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple and fuss-free: Prep for 10 minutes and leave the rest to your slow cooker. Dinner practically makes itself!
- Ultra-tender, juicy beef: The slow cooking process guarantees melt-in-your-mouth texture every single time.
- Bold, authentic flavor: The vinegar and cumin are the secret ingredients here. They give a tangy yet smoky flavor that is unparalleled.
- Diet friendly: Made with just beef, spices, and simple whole ingredients – no sugar, no fillers – this beef barbacoa is naturally low in carbs and perfect for keto, Whole30, or paleo lifestyles.
- Meal prep gold: It’s a great make-ahead meal for busy weeks, perfect for Sunday meal prep, casual weeknight dinners, or game day spreads!
- Freezer-friendly
How to Make Beef Barbacoa
Barbacoa is a traditional Mexican dish made by slow-cooking meat – typically beef, lamb, or goat – until it’s tender enough to shred, then seasoning it with bold spices. It’s rich, juicy, and perfect for many comforting meals.
This homemade version isn’t just good – it’s slow-cooked, spice-kissed, and seriously addictive. Just toss the ingredients in your slow cooker, cook, shred, top, and enjoy!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Beef chuck roast: The go-to cut for barbacoa, chuck roast is well-marbled, making it ideal for slow cooking.
- Chipotle chilies in adobo sauce: Adds smoky heat, depth, and that signature barbacoa flavor. Most brands are low-carb, but be sure to check labels – look for sugar-free or make your own, if controlling carbs is important to you.
- Yellow onion
- Garlic cloves
- Beef bone broth: Keeps the beef juicy and flavorful during slow cooking. I learned how to make bone broth at home, but in a pinch, use store-bought that’s low in sodium.
- Lime juice: Make sure to set aside extra wedges for garnish!
- Apple cider vinegar: Don’t skip this! The little bit of acid from apple cider vinegar makes the flavors pop and helps tenderize the meat.
- Spices and seasonings: We will be using ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, and ground black pepper for this recipe.
- Bay leaves: Add aroma and depth of flavor to the slow-simmered meat.
- Cilantro: For garnish.
Step-By-Step Instructions
With the use of a slow cooker, this beef barbacoa recipe is unbelievably easy. I usually prep it around lunch, and it’s good to go once dinner time rolls by. Serve it according to your mood – make it a light meal stuffed in lettuce wraps or a loaded one in a burrito bowl with lots of toppings! Make this delicious stuffing by following the simple steps below.
Step 1: Prep
Add the beef pieces to the slow cooker then cover with all ingredients, reserving the bay leaf. Mix with a few stirs of a spoon until the meat is mixed into the seasonings. Top with bay leaf.
Step 2: Slow cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
Step 3: Shred the beef
Remove and discard the bay leaves. Shred the beef using two forks, mixing it back into the sauce for extra flavor. If the beef doesn’t shred easily, keep cooking and checking in 30 minute intervals until it falls apart easily.
Step 4: Rest
Let the beef rest for about 10 minutes to absorb the sauce before serving with optional lime wedges and fresh chopped cilantro.
Substitutions
Make beef barbacoa with ingredients you love or have on hand. The recipe is also easy to tweak according to different diets. Try these substitutions:
- Beef chuck roast: Beef brisket or bottom round roast also work well. For leaner options, try eye of round (just note it’ll be less rich).
- Chipotle chilies in adobo sauce: Make a homemade substitute mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of chipotle powder or smoked paprika + a dash of cayenne. For less heat, scrape out seeds or use just the sauce.
- Yellow onion and garlic cloves: If skipping fresh garlic and onions, substitute with ¾ teaspoon garlic powder and 2 teaspoons onion powder.
- Beef bone broth: Substitute with chicken or vegetable broth.
- Lime juice: Use lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or a splash of white vinegar in a pinch.
- Apple cider vinegar: Swap with red wine vinegar, white vinegar, or lime juice.
- Spices and seasonings: Use a taco seasoning blend if you’re short on time (just watch for added sugars or starches).
- Cilantro: Not a fan of cilantro? Use flat-leaf parsley instead.
Expert Tips
- Sear the beef: This is optional, but browning the beef adds an extra layer of flavor. Just a quick sear on each side before it goes in the slow cooker can make a big difference.
- Control the heat: Chipotles pack a punch – start with one and taste before adding more if you prefer a milder kick.
- Shred with care: For best care of your slow cooker pot, remove the beef to a cutting board with a slotted spoon and shred it. Then add it back to the pot to mix with the sauce. This will prevent you from accidentally scratching your pot.
- Get creative with toppings: Other topping ideas include thinly sliced radishes, diced avocado, pickled red onions, or a dollop of sour cream for extra texture and flavor. For a low-carb boost, try shredded cabbage, crumbled queso fresco, or a spoonful of guacamole.
How to Store This Recipe
Cool completely and place made-ahead or leftover beef barbacoa in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat, warm gently on the stove with a splash of broth to keep it juicy. Thaw frozen beef in the fridge overnight before reheating.
What to Serve with Beef Barbacoa
Beef barbacoa is incredibly versatile and there are endless ways to enjoy it! For a classic spread, serve it with warm corn or flour tortillas, Mexican rice, and black or pinto beans.
Looking for something lighter or low-carb? Pile the shredded beef onto cauliflower rice, in cauliflower tortillas, lettuce wraps, or over a fresh cabbage slaw. It’s also fantastic in burrito bowls!
More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes To Try
Slow Cooker Barbacoa Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast cut into 2-inch pieces
- 4 whole chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, finely chopped
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup beef bone broth
- ¼ cup lime juice fresh and extra wedges for garnish
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 individual bay leaves
- ¼ cup cilantro fresh and chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Add the beef pieces to the slow cooker then cover with all ingredients, reserving the bay leaf. Mix with a few stirs of a spoon until the meat is mixed into the seasonings. Top with bay leaf.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
- Remove and discard the bay leaves. Shred the beef using two forks, mixing it back into the sauce for extra flavor.
- Let the beef rest for about 10 minutes to absorb the sauce before serving with optional lime wedges and fresh chopped cilantro.
Notes
- This is optional, but searing the beef quickly before it goes in the slow cooker can make a big difference in flavor.
- For the best care of your slow cooker pot, remove the beef to a cutting board with a slotted spoon and shred it. Then add it back to the pot to mix with the sauce.
Nutrition & Macros
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circumstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information.
