Shredded Barbacoa-Style Beef

This incredibly tender barbacoa beef is a breeze to prepare using your slow cooker, and the results are truly mouthwatering.

What is Barbacoa?

Barbacoa refers to a traditional cooking method that results in succulent, tender meat. While originally prepared by slow-cooking meat underground, it can now be made over an open flame, on the stove, or in a slow cooker for similar mouthwatering results.

What is Barbacoa Meat?

Barbacoa traditionally uses lamb or goat meat, but modern recipes often use beef or pork. This particular recipe calls for a 3-pound beef chuck roast for rich, tender results.

How to Prepare Barbacoa

The full ingredient list and step-by-step guide can be found in the recipe below, but here’s a quick summary of the essentials:

Barbacoa Spice Blend

The beef is seasoned simply with salt and pepper, then slow-cooked in a rich, flavorful mix of garlic, cumin, oregano, cloves, and bay leaves.

How to Prepare Barbacoa at Home

Here’s a quick overview of the process you can expect when making this easy slow-cooker barbacoa recipe:

1. Season the beef, then sear it on all sides in a skillet.
2. Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker and add the remaining ingredients.
3. Cook on Low until the meat is fork-tender, then shred it.
4. Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker and mix it with the sauce.

What to Pair with Barbacoa

Enjoy your barbacoa with warm corn tortillas and toppings like onions, tomatoes, and cilantro. For more delicious ideas, check out our full collection of Mexican Side Dishes. Here are a few fan-favorite recipes to try:

• Mexican Rice
• Quick and Easy Refried Beans
• Mexican Corn on the Cob (Elote)

How to Store Barbacoa

Store any leftover barbacoa, along with its juices, in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. To reheat, warm the meat on the stove, in the oven, or in the slow cooker.

Dinogo Community Feedback and Praise

“The beef is incredibly tender, and the flavor is out of this world,” says Momma Scriv. “I’m a bit sensitive to spice, so I used just one chipotle, and it was still amazing. You can even dip your tortilla in the sauce, fill it with meat and cheese, then cook it on a skillet or griddle!”

“It was a huge hit as-is, but for those who love extra spice, you can easily turn up the heat with more peppers,” shares one Dinogo community member. “I served fresh jalapeños on the side for those who wanted a little extra kick. The spice level was perfect for me.”

“This turned out absolutely mouthwatering,” says Stan. “I put the beef on fresh corn tortillas that I dipped in the au jus, griddled them, then flipped them and topped with cheese! I finished by stuffing them with the beef, folding, and crisping them up!”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients List

• 1 (3 pound) beef chuck roast, cut into 6 to 8 chunks

• salt and ground black pepper to taste

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• ½ cup beef broth

• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar

• ¼ cup fresh lime juice

• 4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped

• 5 cloves garlic, chopped

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin

• 1 tablespoon dried oregano

• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

• 3 large bay leaves

Instructions

Season the beef chunks with salt and pepper on all sides.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the beef in batches, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 4 to 5 minutes per batch. Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.

In a bowl, combine broth, vinegar, lime juice, chipotle peppers, garlic, cumin, oregano, and cloves. Season with salt and pepper, then pour the mixture over the beef in the slow cooker. Stir in bay leaves.

Cook on Low for 8 to 10 hours until the beef is fork-tender. Discard the bay leaves. Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.

Return the beef to the slow cooker and toss to coat with the sauce. Allow it to marinate for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information (per serving)