Description
Slow Cooker Barbacoa: Tender, flavorful beef perfect for tacos.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast, excess fat trimmed and cut into large chunks
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 bay leaves
- Warm tortillas, for serving
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from the beef chuck roast and cut it into large chunks, about 3–4 inches each.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, chipotle powder, salt, and black pepper to make the marinade.
- Place the beef chunks into the slow cooker in an even layer.
- Pour the marinade over the beef, turning the pieces as needed to ensure they are well coated.
- Add the chopped onion and pour in the beef broth. Tuck the bay leaves into the liquid.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours, until the beef is very tender and shreds easily with a fork.
- Remove the beef from the slow cooker and discard the bay leaves. Shred the meat using two forks, discarding any large pieces of fat.
- Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the cooking juices. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lime juice if desired.
- Serve the barbacoa in warm tortillas, topped with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. Add any favorite taco toppings as desired.
Notes
- Try adding your favorite taco toppings for extra flavor.
- This recipe can be doubled for a larger crowd.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours on LOW or 4 hours on HIGH
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg