Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa

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You are going to love the rich flavors of this slow cooker beef barbaco! I'll show you how to pull together a simple, but absolutely delicious barbacoa recipe. It does need several hours in the slow cooker to become tender - but it's so worth it!

If you like slow cooker recipes, try my Slow Cooker Carnitas and Slow Cooker Brisket Chili as well.

Slow cooker beef barbacoa in a white bowl with rice.

Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa Ingredients

Beef - I like to use chuck roast, but traditional barbacoa is made with beef tongue and cheek. You can also use a mixture of beef head (tongue or cheek) and chuck roast as well.
Seasonings - use a combination of salt, ground black pepper, ground cumin, dried oregano, dried thyme, ground cloves, and bay leaves to season the meat.
Chipotle Chiles in Adobo - adds some delicious heat and rich, smoky flavor to the sauce. If you are sensitive to spice, just use on chile.
Aromatics - you'll use some garlic and yellow onion to add allium flavor. The onion is optional, you can leave it out if you'd prefer.
Apple Cider Vinegar - adds a bright tanginess to the sauce.
Olive Oil - use a little olive oil to brown the beef. Feel free to swap for vegetable oil or avocado oil.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Ingredients for slow cooker beef barbacoa on a marble background.

Beef Barbacoa FAQs

What cuts of meat can I use for barbacoa?

Beef cheeks or tongue are traditionally used in beef barbacoa, chuck roast (like I use) is the second most common cut. You can also make it with lamb or goat meat.

What's the difference between carnitas and barbacoa?

Carnitas are made with pork and are braised and then crisped (either in a frying pan or under a broiler). Barbacoa is usually made from beef and is traditionally cooked with steam.

How do you serve barbacoa?

You can serve it in tortillas with some chopped white onions and cilantro for topping or in a rice bowl with sides like corn or beans.

Beef barbacoa with sliced onions in a slow cooker.

If you try this delicious, easy crockpot barbacoa recipe, leave a comment and a star rating below!

Shredded beef barbacoa with rice and lime wedges in a white bowl with a silver fork.

Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa

This delicious crockpot beef barbacoa recipe is easy to pull together and makes the most succulent and flavorful meal!

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Prep Time: 25

Cook Time: 8

Total Time: 8 25

Servings: servings

Author: Emily Wilson

Ingredients

3 pounds chuck roast cut into 3 inch chunks
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 chipotle chilis in adobo
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons lime juice
3 garlic cloves
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
2 bay leaves
1 white onion sliced

Instructions

Pat the beef chunks dry with a paper towel and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Once hot, brown the chunks of chuck roast on each side for just a few minutes.
Combine the chipotle chilis, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, garlic cloves, cumin, oregano, thyme, and cloves in a blender. Blend for a minute or until the mixture is smooth.
Add the pieces of chuck to a slow cooker and pour the sauce on top. Toss the chuck to coat each piece in the sauce. Add the bay leaves and onions to the slow cooker.
Set the slow cooker for 7 to 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high. Using tongs or forks, break the meat into smaller pieces before servings.