Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa

Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa is a rich, tender, and deeply flavorful shredded beef dish, slow-cooked to perfection with a bold blend of spices, chipotle peppers, garlic, and lime. This Mexican-inspired recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort, making it ideal for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or serving a hungry crowd on taco night.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is all about ease and flavor. With just a few minutes of prep, the slow cooker does all the hard work—transforming a tough cut of beef into juicy, pull-apart meat infused with smoky, spicy, and tangy goodness. It’s incredibly versatile: serve it in tacos, burritos, bowls, or over rice. Plus, it freezes well and tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Beef chuck roast

• Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

• Garlic cloves

• Onion

• Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar

• Fresh lime juice

• Ground cumin

• Dried oregano

• Ground cloves

• Beef broth or water

• Bay leaves

• Salt and pepper

• Olive oil (for searing, optional)

Directions

1. Cut the beef chuck roast into large chunks and season with salt and pepper.

2. Optional: Sear the beef in a hot skillet with olive oil until browned on all sides for added flavor.

3. Add the beef to the slow cooker.

4. In a blender or food processor, combine chipotle peppers, garlic, onion, vinegar, lime juice, cumin, oregano, cloves, and broth. Blend until smooth.

5. Pour the sauce over the beef in the slow cooker.

6. Add bay leaves and cover.

7. Cook on low for 8–10 hours or on high for 4–6 hours, until the beef is fall-apart tender.

8. Remove bay leaves. Shred the beef with two forks and stir it back into the juices.

9. Serve hot with your choice of tortillas, rice, or toppings.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes approximately 6–8 servings.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 8–10 hours on low or 4–6 hours on high
Total time: 8.5–10.5 hours (or 4.5–6.5 on high)

Variations

• Spicy Barbacoa: Add extra chipotle peppers or a dash of cayenne for more heat.

• Citrus Twist: Use a combination of lime and orange juice for a slightly sweeter tang.

•  Chicken: Swap the beef for boneless chicken thighs.

• Herb-Infused: Add fresh cilantro or epazote during the last hour of cooking.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To freeze, place cooled shredded beef and sauce in freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months.
Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to maintain moisture.

FAQs

What cut of beef is best for barbacoa?

Beef chuck roast is ideal due to its marbling and tenderness when slow-cooked.

Can I make this without a blender?

Yes, finely mince the ingredients or use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker.

Is barbacoa spicy?

It has a mild to moderate spice level depending on the number of chipotle peppers used. Adjust to your taste.

Can I use a pressure cooker or Instant Pot?

Yes. Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes and let it naturally release for 15 minutes.

What should I serve with barbacoa?

Try tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, quesadillas, or over cilantro-lime rice.

Do I have to sear the beef first?

No, but it enhances the flavor. You can skip this step for convenience.

Can I prep this the night before?

Yes. Add everything to the slow cooker insert, refrigerate overnight, then start cooking the next day.

What can I use instead of chipotle in adobo?

Try smoked paprika for smokiness or chili paste if you need a substitute in a pinch.

How do I thicken the sauce?

After shredding, cook on high with the lid off for 15–20 minutes to reduce the sauce.

Is barbacoa keto or low-carb?

Yes, it’s naturally low in carbs. Just be mindful of what you serve it with.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal, packed with bold flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Whether you’re building tacos, meal prepping lunches, or feeding a crowd, this dish delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal effort. Once you try it, it’s bound to become a regular in your recipe rotation.