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5.0 from 6 votes

Mexican Barbacoa Beef in Crock Pot

Simple and tasty, Mexican Barbacoa Beef. Slow cooked in a savory, spicy (but not hot) sauce, with loads of fresh taco toppings. Make delicious Chipotle style Mexican Barbacoa Street Tacos.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
5 hrs
Total Time
5 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 12 -16 street tacos
Calories: 197 kcal
Cuisine: American , Mexican

Ingredients

BARBACOA BEEF
  • 1-1/2 lb chuck roast or steak
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or other high heat oil
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup lime juice fresh squeezed, about 2 medium limes
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 yellow onion chopped fine
  • 12 corn tortillas street sized, or flour tortillas. Or 6 regular sized
TACO TOPPING SUGGESTIONS
  • 1 cup tomatoes I used grape tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 cup lettuce shredded. Can use cabbage or both
  • 1 avocado sliced and peeled
  • 1/4 cup cotija cheese crumbled or other Mexican cheese
  • 1 ear corn fresh, blistered and blackened on all sides (I used my grill or may use BBQ or just cut fresh off the cob)
  • Lime wedges optional for garnish
  • cilantro chopped (optional for garnish)
AVOCADO LIME DRESSING
  • 1 large avocado ripe, peeled and seeded, rough chopped
  • 1-2 limes juiced (adjust according to taste)
  • 1-2 tablespoons PLAIN yogurt regular or Greek
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

For the Barbacoa Beef
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large pot (or stovetop safe slow cooker crock) drizzle in 1-2 tablespoons oil. Heat over medium-high heat. Place chuck roast (or steak) carefully in the pot and sear (brown) on all sides, just a few minutes per side. Sprinkle with a little kosher salt.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl; mix together your beef broth, tomato sauce, vinegar, lime juice, spices together. Once your beef is seared on all sides, transfer (if necessary) to the slow cooker or crock pot and pour over your broth mixture. Top the beef with your chopped onion and cover.
  3. Cook on low for 5 hours. See notes for quicker or longer cooking times.
AVOCADO LIME DRESSING
  1. In a blender place your peeled & seeded avocado, lime juice and yogurt. Whir until smooth. If necessary add water until a pourable consistency.
  2. Note: If you use a smaller avocado and larger limes it will be really "limey" which I don't mind, but you may want to taste it after the juice of 1 lime, then add more as desired. Season with a little salt and pepper, to taste. Store in fridge, covered until ready to use.
ASSEMBLE THE TACOS
  1. Prep your toppings in small bowls so each person may assemble their own tacos. Warm tortillas (I just warmed in 200 degree oven wrapped in a clean tea towel for 10 minutes). Remove meat from slow cooker, and using a sharp knife, slice or chop into bite size pieces.
  2. Serve with a wedge of lime and fresh, chopped cilantro along with a drizzle of the Avocado Lime Dressing.

Notes

  • Other topping ideas:
  • TIP | Need to have this recipe ready sooner than 5 hours, for the first hour, cook on HIGH then lower to low for the next 3 hours. Additionally, this may be cooked on low for 6-8 hours.
  • This recipe was moderately adapted from Jar of Lemons.
  • Sliced olives
  • Roasted red peppers
  • Feta or Goat cheese, Mexican Shredded or other crumbly Mexican Cheese
  • Mexican Crema or Sour Cream
  • Sliced Jalepeños
  • Finely chopped yellow or red onions
  • Shredded Red Cabbage

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 197kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 20g (7%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 16mg (5%) Sodium 240mg (10%) Potassium 410mg (12%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 280IU (6%) Vitamin C 10mg (11%) Calcium 63mg (6%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12-16 street tacos

Amount Per Serving

Calories 197

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 197kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 20g 7%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 16mg 5%
Sodium 240mg 10%
Potassium 410mg 9%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 280IU 6%
Vitamin C 10mg 11%
Calcium 63mg 6%
Iron 2mg 11%

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