Beef Barbacoa

Incredibly juicy beef slow cooked and simmered in spices until its pull apart tender, this crockpot beef barbacoa recipe is packed with mouth-watering flavor.

Why this recipe works

The flavors in this beef barbacoa have everything to do with the seasoning blend and chipotle peppers in adobo. Adding a mix of heat and smokiness, these ingredients meld together with the beef slowly in the crockpot all day which creates a beautifully seasoned and ultra-tender shredded beef to use in burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and burrito bowls.

Barbacoa is a way of slowly cooking large cuts of meat which can range from lamb, goat, pork, and beef in the Caribbean and Mexico. The key to this dish is to slow cook it giving it all the time it needs for the flavors to meld together. Just wait until the aroma fills the room and though it may be hard to wait, it’s entirely worth it.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

BEEF – Chuck roast is one of the best types of meat to slow cook. It becomes pull apart tender after spending the day in the crockpot. Grab a chuck roast that is nicely marbled. You can also use beef brisket, but you may need to cook it for closer to 9 hours as it’s a tougher cut of meat.

CHIPOTLE PEPPERS – This is the main star, aside from the beef. Grab a 7 oz can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Feel free to add an extra one or two peppers to up the spice or reduce the amount used for less heat.

How to Make Beef Barbacoa

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Cut chuck roast into large chunks and trim off large pieces of fat.
   
   EXPERT TIP – When cutting up the chuck roast, do so strategically by starting near large pieces of fat. This will allow you to trim the fat and keep from cutting the meat into too small of pieces.
   
   
2. Season the meat chunks with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until oil is shimmering. Add meat chunks and sear until browned on all sides. Turn off heat and set aside.
4. Using a blender or immersion blender, combine seasoning ingredients (chipotle peppers, oregano, cloves, cumin, garlic, and beef broth) and blend until smooth and no chunks remain.
5. Place meat chunks into the crockpot. Pour the seasoning mixture over the meat and place bay leaves in the seasoning mixture around the meat. Cook on low for 8.5 hours.
6. Remove bay leaves and discard. Remove beef chunks and shred with a fork. Add shredded beef back to the seasoning in the crockpot. Stir in 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
7. Use tongs to portion into tortillas.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Store leftover beef barbacoa in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Serving Suggestions

Beef barbacoa is delicious wrapped in enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, tacos, and even to mix into burrito bowls.

If serving in tortillas, optionally top with diced onion, salsa fresca, chopped avocado, salsa verde, cilantro, sliced radish, or cojita cheese.

More Beef Recipes

• Carne Asada
• Beef Enchiladas
• Mississippi Pot Roast
• Ground Beef Casserole
• Crockpot Beef Burgundy
• Oven Beef Ribs

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