This homemade beef barbacoa recipe is easy to make in the slow cooker, and it’s SO flavorful and delicious! Perfect for burritos, tacos, salads, quesadillas and more.

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Homemade Barbacoa Recipe | 1-Minute Video





Barbacoa
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 250 minutes
- Total Time: 260 minutes
- Yield: 0 About 8-12 servings 1x
Description
This barbacoa recipe is simple to make in your slow cooker, and makes the most tender, flavorful, delicious barbacoa beef.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast (fat trimmed), cut into 2-inch chunks
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 chipotles in adobo sauce, chopped
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
- 1 small white onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon dried Mexican oregano (or standard dried oregano)
- 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup beef stock or water
Instructions
- Slow cook. Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a slow cooker. Toss gently to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is tender and falls apart easily when shredded with a fork.
- Shred and toss. Using two forks, shred the beef into bite-sized pieces inside of the slow cooker. Toss the beef with the juices, then cover and let the barbacoa beef soak up the juices for an extra 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaves.
- Serve. Use a pair of tongs or a slotted spoon to serve the barbacoa beef and enjoy!
Notes
Storage instructions: Any leftovers can be stored (with their juices) in a food storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.








What a unique recipe! I love this thanks for sharing – I plan to work it into our weeknight dinners next week!
xo Rachel
Oh my landlord would love it if i dug a hole into the ground to cook some beef! But by the look of it – it would be totally worth it!
I LOVED going to some American diner style restaurant as a kid – no pizza but a whole pile of fried mushrooms!
These look incredible! I’m going to try these for sure. MMM.
How could I not fall head over heels for this beef!?! It’s beautimus, Ali! And that gorgeous cilantro on top just seals the deal.
OK…I’m busted. I snuck a taste of this yesterday out of your fridge. Cold. And it was wonderful!
I can tell just by looking at these photos are flavorful this is!
I think that is how I learned how to read…..Book-It changes lives:) Well, and this barbacoa, too!
Definitely going on my next meal plan!! I love easy dinners like this — and Pizza Hut is still pretty fabulous in my book :)
These look like some killer tacos! I cannot wait to make them for the fam! :)
Also, book-it was the best! Personal pan pizzas too!
Oh, yum!! My husband and I would love this! Yes, I was involved in Book-It and looked forward to going there for lunch with my mom. The Book-It Alumni sounds cool! :)