Description
This Slow Cooker Barbacoa recipe delivers tender, flavorful shredded beef infused with smoky chipotle peppers, cumin, and fresh lime. Perfect for tacos, burritos, or rice bowls, this easy slow-cooked dish lets the beef become irresistibly tender with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 lb beef chuck roast
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2–4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced (adjust to taste)
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare aromatics: Chop the onions and mince the garlic cloves finely to release their flavor.
- Season the beef: Generously season the 3 lb beef chuck roast with salt and pepper on all sides for enhanced taste.
- Sear the roast (optional): For deeper flavor and a nice crust, sear the roast in a hot skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Assemble in slow cooker: Place the beef roast in the slow cooker and add the chopped onions, minced garlic, minced chipotle peppers, ground cumin, lime juice, and beef broth all around the meat.
- Slow cook: Cover and cook on the low setting for 8-10 hours until the beef is very tender and can be easily shredded with a fork.
- Shred and mix: Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it well using two forks. Stir the chopped fresh cilantro into the shredded meat and mix well to distribute the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the barbacoa warm, garnished with additional fresh cilantro, ideally over warm tortillas for tacos or with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- Searing the beef before slow cooking is optional but adds a richer flavor and color.
- Adjust the number of chipotle peppers to control the spice level according to your preference.
- Leftover barbacoa tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to keep salt levels manageable.
- This recipe can be doubled for larger gatherings; just increase the slow cook time slightly if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
