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Barbacoa Recipe (Beef Barbacoa)

This beef barbacoa recipe is cooked low and slow with chilies and spices until juicy and fall apart tender, perfect for barbacoa tacos, burritos, and more!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs
Servings: 6
Calories: 504 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American , Mexican

Ingredients

  • 3 pound beef chuck roast or use beef brisket, sliced into 2 inch chunks
  • 2 guajillo peppers
  • 2 ancho peppers
  • 7 ounce can chipotles in adobo optional, for extra saucy and tangy-smoky flavor
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1.5 cups beef broth
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • Juice from 1 large lime about 1/4 cup
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano or use oregano
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Remove the stems from the guajillo and ancho peppers and remove the seeds. Place the dried chiles in a large bowl and cover with very hot or boiling water. Soak them for 15 minutes, or until they become very soft and rehydrate. Drain and discard the water. Add them to a food processor with the chipotles in adobo sauce, and a bit of salt. Process until smooth.
  2. Add the beef chunks to a bowl. Add the ancho-guajillo paste and toss to even coat.
  3. Heat the oil in a large cast iron pan to medium-high heat. Sear the beef chunks a few minutes per side to get a nice coating. Transfer to a slow cooker or crock pot.
  4. Deglaze the pan with a bit of beef stock, water or wine and scrape all of the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Pour it into the crock pot.
  5. Add the beef stock, vinegar, lime juice, onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, bay leaf and salt and pepper to taste. Stir.
  6. Cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours, or until the beef is fork tender. It should easily break apart with a fork. It could take a bit longer to cook, depending on your slow cooker.
  7. Shred the beef with 2 forks and serve as desired.

Notes

  • Heat Factor: Mild-Medium, though you can easily spice things up with hotter peppers or spicy chili flakes.

Nutrition Information

Calories 504kcal (25%) Carbohydrates 11g (4%) Protein 45g (90%) Fat 31g (48%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Cholesterol 156mg (52%) Sodium 720mg (30%) Potassium 966mg (28%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 2324IU (46%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 70mg (7%) Iron 7mg (39%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 504

% Daily Value*

Calories 504kcal 25%
Carbohydrates 11g 4%
Protein 45g 90%
Fat 31g 48%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 156mg 52%
Sodium 720mg 30%
Potassium 966mg 21%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 2324IU 46%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 70mg 7%
Iron 7mg 39%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.