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

• 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 shows you how to make beef barbacoa 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 Barbacoa Beef 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 for it.
• 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. I have also used a food processor to shred meat.

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 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 beef! 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! Barbacoa also makes a tasty addition to a taco bowl or a burrito 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is barbacoa the same as shredded beef? While both beef barbacoa and shredded beef involve cooking the beef until tender and shredding it, beef barbacoa typically implies a specific method of cooking with particular seasonings and flavors, such as the ones used in this recipe, including diced green chilies, chipotles in adobo, ground cumin, and dried oregano. These ingredients impart a rich and complex flavor profile to the dish. Shredded beef, on the other hand, is a more general term for the texture and preparation of the meat, often slow cooked until tender and then shredded or pulled apart.
• What does barbacoa meat taste like? This barbacoa packs a flavorful punch with spicy chipotle peppers and Mexican spices. It’s not overly spicy, but the heat level can vary based on the chilies you use. Plus, the lime juice adds a refreshing tartness that balances the spiciness and the richness of the beef.
• What’s the difference between barbacoa and carnitas? Barbacoa and carnitas are both popular Mexican meat dishes, but they differ in their ingredients, preparation methods, and flavors. Barbacoa is typically made with beef, although it can also be made with lamb or goat. The meat is traditionally slow-cooked until tender, with spices such as chipotle chilies, cumin, garlic, and Mexican oregano. Carnitas, on the other hand, is made with pork, specifically using cuts like pork shoulder or butt. The meat is typically simmered or braised until tender, along with seasonings like garlic, citrus juices (often orange or lime), and herbs such as oregano and bay leaves.
• Is the cooking time different if you double the meat? Yes, if you double the amount of meat in a slow cooker recipe, the cooking time will typically need to be increased by about 25%, and maybe up to 50%. When you double the meat, you increase the volume of food in the slow cooker, which means it will take longer to cook all of the ingredients thoroughly. The exact increase in cooking time can vary depending on the type of meat, the size of the slow cooker, and the specific recipe you’re using. To check if the meat is done, just use an instant read meat thermometer so you don’t have to play the guessing game. A chuck roast needs to hit between 200˚F and 210˚F before it is ready to shred. Keep checking for tenderness and that the meat easily pulls apart.

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