Easy Slow Cooker Barbacoa Recipe

Name: Easy Slow Cooker Barbacoa Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 19 min
Yield: 8 serving
Ingredients: 2 lb. chuck roast; 3 chipotles in adobo; 1 tablespoon adobo sauce; 1 onion; 5 cloves garlic; 2 limes; 2 teaspoons cumin; 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano; 2 teaspoons salt; freshly cracked black pepper; splash of water; 12-16 corn tortillas; 1 cup pickled onions; Freshly chopped cilantro

User Reviews

4.7

39 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs
Total Time
19 mins
Servings
8
Calories
349 kcal
Course
Main Course

Easy Slow Cooker Barbacoa Recipe

Ximena Brandt

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This stress-free slow cooker barbacoa can be used in so many delicious ways: tacos, burritos, enchiladas -- you can even serve it over rice for an instant meal. So good!

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Ingredients

Servings

2 lb. chuck roast
3 chipotles in adobo
1 tablespoon adobo sauce
1 onion
5 cloves garlic
2 limes
2 teaspoons cumin
1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
2 teaspoons salt
freshly cracked black pepper
splash of water

For the tacos:

12-16 corn tortillas
1 cup pickled onions
Freshly chopped cilantro

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Instructions

Trim off any excess bits of fat from the meat and cut into 2-3 inch chunks.
Add the meat to the slow cooker along with: 3 minced chipotles in adobo, 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, 1 chopped onion, 5 minced garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano, 2 teaspoons salt, freshly cracked pepper, the juice of 2 limes, and a splash of water.
Give everything a quick stir and cook in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours. When the beef pieces are fully cooked inside and fork tender they are done.
Use two forks or a spatula to shred the beef.
Let the shredded beef cook in the juices for an additional 10-15 minutes (this is the most important part!). You can also taste for seasoning at this point. I added another generous pinch of salt to this batch.
Once the beef has stewed in its own juices it is ready to be served. For a simple barbacoa taco, serve the beef in a warm corn tortilla with pickled onions and freshly chopped cilantro.
Store leftovers in their juices in an airtight container in the fridge.

Notes

I didn't sear the beef pieces before putting them in the slow cooker, but you are welcome to experiment with that.
Don't forget to taste for seasoning after you shred the beef pieces; a final dash of salt can really enhance the flavors. And after shredding be sure to let the meat soak up the juices for 10-15 minutes.