5 from 45 votes
Barbacoa Tacos
Barbacoa Tacos feature tender, slow-cooked shredded beef seasoned with chipotle peppers, garlic, cumin, and aromatic spices. The beef is cooked in its juices with vinegar, lime, and beef stock until it falls apart easily, allowing the flavors to meld deeply. Served on tortillas with fresh diced onion, avocado slices, and cilantro, these tacos balance smoky, tangy, and savory notes for a satisfying handheld meal.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
8 hrs
Total Time
8 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
8
tacos
Calories:
543 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
Barbacoa
- 4 pounds beef chuck roast cut into 3-inch chunks
- 1 onion diced
- 3-4 chipotle in adobo sauce finely diced
- 5 garlic minced, cloves
- 1/4 cup lime juice fresh
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cumin ground
- 1/2 tablespoon oregano dried
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves ground
- 3/4 cup beef stock
- 3 bay leaf
Taco Ingredients
- tortillas
- onion diced
- avocado slices
- cilantro chopped
- sour cream optional, or cheese
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients, except the bay leaves, to the bowl of a slow cooker.
- Use tongs to gently toss and mix it all together. Then add the bay leaves, and cover. Cook on low for 8-9 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours. The beef should be tender and fall apart easily when shredded with a fork. If it doesn't shred easily, cook it a bit longer.
- Remove the beef to a cutting board and use two forks to shred it.
- Place the shredded beef back in the slow cooker, give it a stir, and let it absorb the juices.
- Use tongs to remove a serving of barbacoa from the slow cooker, top it on a tortilla, and garnish with diced onion, avocado, cilantro, and other toppings.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
543kcal
(27%)
Carbohydrates
23g
(8%)
Protein
46g
(92%)
Fat
31g
(48%)
Saturated Fat
12g
(60%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
15g
(75%)
Trans Fat
2g
(100%)
Cholesterol
156mg
(52%)
Sodium
1075mg
(45%)
Potassium
923mg
(20%)
Fiber
7g
(28%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
354IU
(7%)
Vitamin C
5mg
(6%)
Calcium
64mg
(6%)
Iron
6mg
(33%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 tacos
Amount Per Serving
Calories 543
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 543kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 23g | 8% |
| Protein | 46g | 92% |
| Fat | 31g | 48% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Trans Fat | 2g | 100% |
| Cholesterol | 156mg | 52% |
| Sodium | 1075mg | 45% |
| Potassium | 923mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 7g | 28% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 354IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 64mg | 6% |
| Iron | 6mg | 33% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.