Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef Recipe

Introduction

Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef is a flavorful and tender dish perfect for easy weeknight meals or gatherings. With minimal prep, this recipe delivers rich, spicy beef that melts in your mouth.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds beef (chuck roast or brisket)
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the beef in the slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix the cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, garlic, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour the spice mixture over the beef and rub it in evenly.
2. Step 2: Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the beef is very tender and easy to shred with a fork. Remove the beef from the slow cooker, shred it using two forks, then return it to the juices and stir well before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier barbacoa, add 1-2 chopped chipotle peppers or a tablespoon of adobo sauce to the spice mixture.
• Serve with warm tortillas, fresh cilantro, diced onions, and lime wedges for authentic tacos.
• If you don’t have a slow cooker, this recipe can be adapted to a low oven temperature in a covered Dutch oven.

Storage

Store leftover barbacoa beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a little water if needed to keep the meat moist.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other cuts of beef for this recipe?

Yes, cuts like brisket, short ribs, or even stew meat work well as long as they become tender after slow cooking.

Can I freeze the barbacoa beef?

Absolutely. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 85 reviews

This Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef recipe offers a tender, flavorful Mexican-inspired dish that is perfect for easy weeknight meals. The beef is slow-cooked with a blend of spices, garlic, and vinegar, creating juicy and shredded meat that’s great for tacos, burritos, or bowls.

• Author: Elias
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef

• 3 lbs beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into large chunks

Spices

• 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp salt

Other Ingredients

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup beef broth or water (optional for moisture)

Instructions

1. Prepare the beef: Trim excess fat from the chuck roast and cut it into large chunks to ensure even cooking and easy shredding later.
2. Mix the spices and season: In a small bowl, combine chipotle peppers, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Rub this spice mixture evenly over all sides of the beef chunks.
3. Set up the slow cooker: Place the seasoned beef chunks into the slow cooker. Add minced garlic and pour in the apple cider vinegar. If desired, add beef broth or water to keep the meat moist during cooking.
4. Slow cook the beef: Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 6 hours until the beef is very tender and can easily be shredded with a fork.
5. Shred the beef: Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker and stir it into the cooking juices for extra flavor and moisture.
6. Serve: Serve the barbacoa beef warm in tacos, burritos, bowls, or on your favorite Mexican dishes.

Notes

• For spicier barbacoa, add extra chipotle peppers or a dash of cayenne pepper.
• Use beef chuck roast for the best balance of tenderness and flavor.
• Leftover barbacoa can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
• Serve with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, diced onions, and your favorite salsa for extra zest.

Keywords: slow cooker barbacoa beef, shredded beef recipe, Mexican beef slow cooker, easy barbacoa, slow cooked beef tacos