Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa (Printable)
Tender shredded beef braised with chipotle, cumin and lime—perfect for tacos, burritos or bowls; eases make-ahead meals.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 3.3 lbs beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into large chunks
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 large white onion, chopped
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
05 - 1 lime, juiced
→ Spices & Seasonings
06 - 1 tablespoon ground cumin
07 - 1 tablespoon dried oregano
08 - 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
09 - 2 teaspoons salt
10 - 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 2 bay leaves
→ Liquids
12 - 1/2 cup beef broth
13 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
# How To Make:
01 - Spread the chopped onion and minced garlic evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker.
02 - Arrange the trimmed beef chuck chunks on top of the onion and garlic layer.
03 - In a small mixing bowl, combine the chopped chipotle peppers, lime juice, ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, apple cider vinegar, and beef broth. Stir until well blended.
04 - Pour the seasoning mixture evenly over the beef. Tuck the bay leaves into the liquid around the meat.
05 - Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender and shreds easily.
06 - Discard the bay leaves. Using two forks, shred the beef directly in the slow cooker and stir thoroughly to absorb all the cooking juices.
07 - Serve hot with warm tortillas, over rice, in burritos, or in bowls with your favorite toppings.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The spice blend comes together in two minutes and makes your whole house smell like a taqueria.
- It reheats beautifully, so one cooking session fuels tacos, bowls, and lunch sandwiches for days.
02 -
- Resist the urge to lift the lid during cooking because every peek adds roughly fifteen minutes to the total time.
- This recipe tastes even better the next day after the spices settle and the beef absorbs more of the braising liquid.
03 -
- Let the seasoned liquid mixture sit for five minutes before pouring it over the beef so the dried oregano can begin to hydrate and release its oils.
- A splash of fresh lime juice squeezed over the shredded beef right before serving wakes up every flavor on the plate.