Barbacoa (Slow Cooker)

Barbacoa (Slow Cooker)

Main Course
490 min
430 kcal / serving

Mexican beef barbacoa that's juicy, meltingly tender, seasoned with flavorful chilies and spices, and made easy right in the slow cooker. Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!

Ingredients

  • 4 poundsbeef chuck roast (cut into 3-inch chunks)
  • 1yellow onion (diced)
  • 3chipotles in adobo sauce (finely diced)
  • 5garlic cloves (minced)
  • ¼ cupfresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoonsapple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoonground cumin
  • ½ tablespoondried oregano
  • 2 teaspoonskosher salt
  • 1 teaspoonground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoonground cloves
  • ¾ cupbeef stock
  • 3bay leaves

Directions

  1. 1

    Add all of the ingredients, except the bay leaves, to the bowl of a slow cooker.

  2. 2

    Use tongs to gently toss and mix it all together. Then add the bay leaves, and cover. Cook on low for 8 to 9 hours, or on high for 4 to 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.

  3. 3

    Remove the beef to a cutting board and use two forks to shred it.

  4. 4

    Place the shredded beef back in the slow cooker, give it a stir, and let it absorb the juices.

  5. 5

    Serve the barbacoa straight from the slow cooker, or add it to a plate and garnish with chopped cilantro and lime wedges.