This homemade beef barbacoa recipe is easy to make in the slow cooker, and it’s SO flavorful and delicious! Perfect for burritos, tacos, salads, quesadillas and more.
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Homemade Barbacoa Recipe | 1-Minute Video
Barbacoa
This barbacoa recipe is simple to make in your slow cooker, and makes the most tender, flavorful, delicious barbacoa beef.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast (fat trimmed), cut into 2-inch chunks
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 chipotles in adobo sauce, chopped
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
- 1 small white onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon dried Mexican oregano (or standard dried oregano)
- 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup beef stock or water
Instructions
- Slow cook. Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a slow cooker. Toss gently to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is tender and falls apart easily when shredded with a fork.
- Shred and toss. Using two forks, shred the beef into bite-sized pieces inside of the slow cooker. Toss the beef with the juices, then cover and let the barbacoa beef soak up the juices for an extra 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaves.
- Serve. Use a pair of tongs or a slotted spoon to serve the barbacoa beef and enjoy!
Notes
Storage instructions: Any leftovers can be stored (with their juices) in a food storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
Did you make this?Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Love this recipe! One of our favorites.
Very versatile.
I LOVE this recipe and it turned out so well when I made it last year! I don’t have a crockpot anymore though, I have an Instant Pot. Is there any chance you could post Instant Pot instructions? I’d love to make this this Sunday for the Superbowl :)
I was just going to comment and ask the same thing!!! I
Made these for dinner tonight. Super happy with how it turned out- thanks for a great recipe. I rarely comment, but this is one of my go to blogs for recipes.
Can I make this using pork instead of beef?
I’m looking to make this in the Instant Pot… any ideas on how long to cook it? And, on what setting? Thanks!!
Ive made this recipe a couple of times and love it! I’ve got a big family and im thinking about making this for thanksgiving, as my mother in law is already making a turkey. Any tips on doubling maybe tripling thins recipe?
This was great! I flinched at the clove and thought cinnamon but went with it. From a fifth generation chili head from Texas, 25 yrs in California now retired living on the OBX in eastern NC, this is offered as high praise!
Awesome!! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! :)
Hi everyone! I have made this recipe a bunch of times in my crock pot and it always comes out so juicy and delicious! I wanted to make a large batch for a family party, too big for my crock pot and found a way to successfully make it in the oven!
I took a foil pan and added the chopped onions and garlic
Then layered the meat on top with the chilies and chipotles..then the rest of the ingredients/seasonings
Super tightly wrapped it in heavy duty foil to totally seal the pan
Baked it at 275 ( my oven is pretty strong, use your judgment) for close to 4 hours
It shredded beautifully and tasted just like the crock pot version!!
Awesome, sounds delicious!
I left the Adobo chilis out, but it didn’t hurt this dish. My family said it was outstanding!
Wonderful, so happy to hear it! :)
Any tips for doing this in an Insta Pot!? You listed it as a possibility in the pork carnitas recipe. Along with the teriyaki chicken and beef stew. Just curious if you have an tips or specific settings to use with each.