Every bite of this tender, juicy, beef barbacoa is a fiesta of flavors! Wrap this flavorful Mexican beef in warm tortillas with your favorite taco toppings and a squeeze of zesty lime.
My Favorite Way to Make Barbacoa Beef
Taco night is kind of a big deal in my house. I love tacos, the hubs loves tacos, and the kids love tacos, too. 🌮 We have our favorite go-to taco recipes (hola, pork carnitas tacos), and this Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa is definitely one of them! This Mexican pulled beef recipe is rich and spicy, with a burst of brightness from lime juice and chopped cilantro. It’s delicious wrapped up in a warm flour tortilla, and just as tasty in burritos, taco bowls, and salads.
Why You’ll Love Beef Barbacoa Recipe
- Perfect for taco night. Beef taco lovers, rejoice. Slow cooker barbacoa is the best way to savor an authentic taste of Mexico. It’s make-ahead friendly and perfect for meal prep, and you barely have to lift a finger.
- Rich, zesty flavor. This recipe is cooked low and slow for hours in the crock pot. The result is tender, succulent beef that pairs perfectly with warm tortillas and a squeeze of fresh lime.
- Made right in your crockpot or slow cooker. Cooking beef this way makes it incredibly tender. It’s so easy to pop the ingredients in the slow cooker, walk away, and return hours later to the most delicious Mexican-style dinner.
- Easy clean-up. Making this recipe in one pot means hardly any dishes to wash. What’s better than that?! 😁
What is Barbacoa?
Barbacoa, Spanish for “barbecue”, is an authentic Mexican pulled beef recipe. And despite the name, no, we’re not firing up the grill! I like to compare beef Barbacoa to a Mexican pot roast. The beef is seasoned with a flavorful blend of spices and then simmered in a smoky sauce over low heat until it becomes tender and easily shredded. I love using beef barbacoa for everything from tacos and tamales to enchiladas and quesadillas. Don’t forget to check out the section later on with serving suggestions!
What Does Mexican Barbacoa Taste Like?
The flavors of this beef barbacoa are deliciously spicy and a little tangy, thanks to chipotle chilies, a few Mexican spices, and a splash of vinegar. Barbacoa isn’t super hot, but then again, that can depend on the chipotles you’re using! The addition of lime juice makes the sauce a little tart and cuts the richness of the beef. Is your mouth watering yet? Same, girl, same.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What is beef barbacoa made of? I’ve included a quick overview below. Please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for complete information.
- Chuck Roast: I make my barbacoa from a 3-4 pound chuck roast, chopped into smaller chunks. See below for details.
- Onion and Garlic
- Chilies: This fiery Mexican beef gets its flavor from a combination of zesty green chilies and chipotles in adobo sauce. You can adapt the amount of chili to taste.
- Seasonings: You’ll need cumin for that distinctive Mexican flavor, dried oregano (even better if you can find Mexican oregano), salt, and pepper.
- Lime: Make sure to use freshly squeezed lime juice and not the bottled kind!
- Apple Cider Vinegar: For a hit of bright acidity. I love the sweetness of apple cider vinegar, but red or white wine vinegar also works.
- Broth: Beef broth brings out a rich, beefy flavor. If you’d prefer, you can use chicken broth instead. I recommend using low-sodium broth in either case.
- Bay Leaves
- Cilantro
Equipment
- Slow Cooker: This recipe will work in just about any size slow cooker or crock pot. If you’re scaling the recipe, make sure your cooker is large enough.
- Meat Shredder Claws: I use my “claws” for everything from this beef barbacoa to slow cooker pulled pork. It makes shredding so much easier! Alternatively, you can use two forks to shred the beef after cooking.
What’s the Best Cut of Beef to Use?
When it comes to slow cooking and braising, my favorite cut is a chuck roast, also called a shoulder steak or boneless chuck roast. This is an inexpensive cut that’s well-marbled and cooks up super juicy and flavorful after long hours over low heat. Chuck roast is cut from the shoulder area, and it’s slightly fattier than similar cuts, like brisket or round roast.
How to Make Beef Barbacoa
This barbacoa is one of those dump-and-go recipes that you can chuck into your slow cooker in the morning, and let it cook allllll day. It’s SO easy. Here’s what you do:
- Add the ingredients to the slow cooker. Combine the pieces of chuck roast with onions, garlic, chilies, chipotle, and seasonings in the slow cooker.
- Add the marinade. Next, whisk together lime juice, vinegar, and beef broth, and pour this over the slow cooker contents. Toss in some bay leaves.
- Cook. Place the lid over the cooker and cook the barbacoa on low for 6-8 hours (or on high for 3-4 hours). After, remove the beef and place it onto a cutting board.
- Shred the beef. Use your shredder claws or two forks to pull the beef apart. To finish it off, add the shredded beef back into the slow cooker to soak up all those spicy, rich juices.
Tips and Variation Ideas
Dinner doesn’t get much more hands-free than this! Here are some quick, final tips to ensure your slow cooker beef barbacoa lives up to its full juicy, tender potential:
- Season generously. Don’t be sparing with herbs and spices! All those flavors combine and infuse every inch of this beef barbacoa.
- Sear the beef. This part is optional. But if you’d like to really amp up the flavor and texture of the roast, sear the beef pieces in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Keep the beef moist during cooking. This recipe uses a combination of beef broth, cider vinegar, and lime juice. Feel free to change up the flavors of your sauce with different options, like orange juice. The acidity in the liquid helps to tenderize the beef.
- Save the cooking liquids. After tossing the shredded beef in the cooking juices, if there are any leftovers, don’t throw them out! Save any remaining cooking liquid and reduce it on the stovetop to make a delicious taco sauce. See the recipe card notes for details.
Serving Suggestions
We use this beef barbacoa to make the most outrageously mouthwatering Mexican-inspired meals. Here are some of our favorite serving ideas:
- Tacos. My favorite way to serve beef barbacoa is wrapped up in low-carb flour tortillas. Barbacoa tacos are delicious topped with sweet corn salsa, sliced avocado, and cilantro. You could also top them with sliced radishes and fresh parsley.
- Rice. Serve your juicy shredded beef over rice or coconut lime cauliflower rice, quinoa, or mashed sweet potatoes.
- More Mexican Dishes. If you’re in the mood for more Mexican recipes, barbacoa makes an excellent tamale filling! I’ve even used it as a filling in beef enchiladas or added it to quesadillas. Additionally, beef barbacoa is amazing in a rice-and-bean-filled burrito.
- Bowls and Salads. Don’t miss the opportunity to have it over a salad with your favorite taco toppings for a filling beef taco salad! Barbacao also makes a tasty addition to a taco bowl.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Fridge. If you end up with leftovers of this slow cooker beef barbacoa, let the beef come to room temp and then place it in an airtight container with the juices. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days (this beef is great for meal prep!). To reheat, warm the barbacoa with the juices in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop until hot throughout.
- Freezer. Beef barbacoa freezes wonderfully. Store the cooled beef in airtight containers and keep it frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost leftovers in the fridge overnight and then reheat before serving.
ENJOY!
More Slow Cooker Beef Recipes
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew
- Slow Cooker Beef Chili
- Slow Cooker Balsamic Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker Beef Machaca
- Slow Cooker Italian Beef
Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pounds chuck roast, cut into 6 to 8 pieces
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (4-ounces) green chilies
- 2 chipotles in adobo, diced
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¾ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ½ cup beef broth, (try to use low-sodium beef broth whenever possible)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- juices from 2 limes
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In the bowl of your slow cooker combine the chuck roast pieces, onions, garlic, green chilies, chipotles, ground cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, vinegar, and lime juice; pour the broth mixture over the ingredients in the slow cooker. Add bay leaves.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. Cooked beef should be tender and should fall apart easily when shredded with a fork.
- Remove the beef from the slow cooker and transfer it to a cutting board.
- Using two forks, or shredder claws, shred the beef into bite-size pieces.
- Transfer the shredded beef back into the slow cooker; stir everything together until completely incorporated.
- Garnish with cilantro or parsley and serve.
Notes
- We use chuck roast in this recipe because it is a well-marbled, flavorful beef cut suitable for slow cooking.
- Season generously: Don’t skip on any herbs and spices to infuse the beef with robust flavors.
- For enhanced flavor and texture, sear the beef in a hot skillet before transferring it to the slow cooker.
- To keep the beef moist and tender during the slow cooking process, add flavorful liquids. I like lime juice, beef broth, and apple cider vinegar. You can also add orange juice. The liquid will help break down the collagen in the meat, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
- When finished with the cooking process, reduce the liquid and use it as a dipping sauce or drizzle it over your tacos. Strain the cooking liquid and transfer it to a saucepan. Simmer the liquid on the stovetop until it reduces and thickens slightly.
- Use the beef barbacoa to create mouthwatering tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, or enjoy it over rice.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
I made this recipe and used brisket beef. It turned out amazing! My family loved it. The chipotle in adobo gave it the perfect flavor. I will definitely make this recipe again. Thank you!
That’s great to hear! I am very glad you and your family loved it! Thank YOU! 🙂
I just made this for dinner tonight with some fresh pico de Gallo with garden fresh tomatoes! I felt like I was eating a bowl from Chipotle with all of the toppings! It was soo delicious, and satisfying that I made it! Will definitely be making it again.
Oh my goodness! This barbacoa was soooo delicious and tender with just the right amount of deep flavor from the cumin and adobo peppers! I’m guessing that cutting the meat into chunks is the way to go because I’ve never had such tender pull apart meat in the crock pot before, plus you can cut some of that extra fat out ahead of time. It was really great with some pico and avocado on a grilled tortilla, but when I put a little on a tortilla chip with a little bit of shredded cheddar – I thought WOW this is going to make great nachos – so that will be on tomorrow’s meal plan😋 Thank you so much for this yummy recipe!
That’s wonderful to hear! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Hi! What is the timing you recommend for the stove top instead of the slow cooker? Thank you!
Hi! I suggest cooking it covered on your stovetop over low heat for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours until the meat starts to fall apart. The meat should separate easily with a fork.
This is the best and easiest barbacoa recipe
Thank YOU! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Delicious and easy! Barely any fat.
Thank YOU! I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
It says multiple times pit prepped meat in crockpot but I see no where that it says how to prep the meat.
The recipe card is located toward the bottom, right above the comments section. You can also click on “Jump to Recipe” found at the top of the post, underneath the title.
I just threw this in the crockpot for tacos tonight! Can’t wait to taste all these flavors mixed together
I hope you’ll enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Absolutely no flavor at all!! Beef was tender but no flavor
You may not have added enough salt. Some people prefer more, some less. I suggest you add some salt, stir it around, taste it, and see if the flavor improves.
Can I use lemon juice instead of lime juice?
You can, but the flavor won’t be as intended.
Excited to try this tonight! I do not have bay leaves. Suggestions for replacements or is it fine to leave out? Looks delicious, thanks for the recipe!
Hi!
You can add a couple teaspoons of dried thyme, instead.
Hi! I made this recipe last week and it is really good, leftover too!! I am wondering approx how much meat would be in a serving? Thanks!
Hi! 😊
A 4-pound chuck roast divided by 10 servings is 6.4 ounces per serving. Add in some of the extras that are in the recipe and you can round it off to maybe 7-ish ounces.
Hi Katrina, would you follow the same cooking time if this is being made for 3 people? Thank you so much!
If I do this in the instant pot how long does it take plus what do I set it at
Hi! 👋
I have a recipe for that on my other site: https://easyweeknightrecipes.com/instant-pot-beef-barbacoa/
Going to try this recipe tomorrow. Looks simple and flavorful. Perfect dish to spice up a cold Minnesota winter day. Hoping it turns out as good as you look.LOL!
I didn’t have chipotle peppers, so used jalapeños from a jar and added some adobo seasoning in addition to all other ingredients! Cooking now! Hope it turns out as good as others say it is!!! 😊
I hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Instead of oregano, try Mexican/Cuban oregano. It’s a game changer!
AMAZEBALLS!!!! Was so good and as the substitute chef in the kitchen(husband/father), was also super easy to put together. Had guajillo pepper adobo paste so I Sub’d 2tbsp of that instead.
Served over rice. Absolutely delicious
Thank you so much! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
is 2 chipotle in adobo sauce counting 2 peppers out of a can or 2 of the 7oz cans it comes in?
Only use 2 Chilis out of the can. Made the mistake of using a can of chilis and it was to spicy to eat.
Made this a few days ago. LOVED IT!!! We have had it several ways. On rice, with veggies (similar to Chipotle’s burrito bowls) , on a salad, in a taco and on chips with a sprinkle of Monterey Jack cheese. And we still had some to freeze for another time! Thanks for this recipe, I’ve already passed it on to a few friends💙
That’s great to hear! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Dumb question – could you substitute pork for the beef?
Hi!
Yep, you can definitely make a nice pulled pork out of this.
I can’t wait to make this for NYE!
I am mixing all my ingredients to make tomorrow cooking easier. Can I marinate the beef in the mixture?
Real Barbacoa is made with COW TONGUE. Not a pot roast.
There’s no claim on this web page that this is an authentic Mexican version of barbacoa. Rather it is a knock off of the recipe used at Chipotle- read the heading at the top of the page. So it’s an Americanized version of the real thing, much like American style Chinese food.
Geez Elbert, take it down a couple notches! Yes, TRADITIONALLY, Barbacoa utilized the offal cuts, but have you seen the prices of tongue, cheeks, brain, etc. lately (that’s if you can even find them in your store anymore)? My daughter-in-law is Mexican and I have many friends who are Mexican also and they ALL make a seasoned meat dish similar to this. They all mainly use boneless chuck or top round for the dish and they ALL call it…..wait for it…..BARBACOA! So, by all means, if it offends your purist sensibilities to use anything else other than the traditional cuts then stick with those. However I, and I dare say many others, are not going to turn down a tasty Barbacoa, regardless of what cuts of meat are used. I will definitely be giving this one a try, it looks delish!
Barabacoa is It’s the cheek meat. Lengua is the tongue meat.
TRUE barbacoa is made from Meat from the head of the cow(Lips;nose, tongue and ears) I grew up in Texas. So I have eaten real Barbacoa. Mexican people were not afraid to eat those caut of mat.were taught to eat all of a steer. Yourrecipe sounds great. But you should make it with the proper cuts of meat.
Elbert, be quiet! Good luck getting beef cheek in 95% of grocery stores. 🙄
Any idea how long to cook in an Instant Pot vs slow cooker?
A couple of times in the recipe, it says, “place prepped roast in bowl of crockpot.” I don’t see instructions for prepping the meat, other than cutting it into 6-8 chunks. Should I sear it on the stovetop and/or pre-season it? Thanks for the clarification.
Hi,
The recipe in its entirety is at the bottom of the post, right above the comments area. All ingredients, directions, nutritional analysis, notes, and so on, are included in the recipe card.
But, “prepped roast” just refers to the cut up meat. I don’t brown the meat beforehand.
Such a delicious meal for my family!
Thank YOU! 🙂
That is so amazing!! Perfect any night of the week!
Thank YOU, Toni! 🙂
I’m making this tonight. Serving it over Coconut Pineapple Rice. Thanks for the recipe! I was looking for something where I already had all the ingredients on hand.
My family will go crazy for this!
Thank YOU! I hope they enjoy it! 🙂
How I can resist to this? Looks so inviting!
Wanting to make this but have 1 question regarding the liquid. The 1/2 cup of beef broth is the only liquid added to this? Thank you, looks amazing!!
Hi!
The liquids are beef broth, vinegar, and lime juice. The recipe in its entirety is towards the bottom of the post and it includes all ingredients, amounts, directions, nutritional analysis, and so on.
Thank you!!
This Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa is needs to happen at my house very soon!!
I hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
This recipe is wonderful. The meat was tender and so flavorful. I did pickle red onion, sliced very thin, in red wine vinegar and just a bit of sea salt. It was a meld of different flavors and our new taco recipe. I added a cheese shred on top.
This beef barbacoa is perfect! Whole family loved it
That’s great! I am very happy you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
What an amazing recipe so easy to follow and absolutely delicious!
Thank YOU! I am very happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
My mouth is watering! This meat looks so juicy & flavorful! I need me some tacos with this pork asap!
I hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
So flavorful and well worth the cook time wait. The slow cooker really does stew out all the flavors.
I am very happy you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Delicious, just delicious. Well done!
Thank YOU! I am very happy you enjoyed it! 🙂