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Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef

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LIZ DELLA CROCE

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A weeknight slow cooker version of everyone’s favorite Mexican specialty, this beef barbacoa recipe is ideal for feeding a crowd!

With kids back in school, many people working from home, and the holidays coming up, life can be a bit crazy. However, with everything going on we still have to eat dinner too, right? Right? Since I know this time of year could not possibly be more hectic, I’ve got a super flavorful slow cooker dinner recipe: Mexican Beef Barbacoa! 

Slow cooker recipes are the perfect solution when you don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen but still want to provide your family with a healthy and delicious dinner. For example, I assemble meals like this Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken or my Slow Cooker Healthy Turkey Chili in the morning (or the night before) and leave them to cook throughout the day. Then, when we’re ready for dinner they are waiting, and the whole house smells amazing.

A client of mine gave me this Beef Barbacoa recipe during our visit to the JW Marriott Cancun earlier this year. His mother is a chef there in Mexico and he was gracious enough to spill all of her secrets. So, of course, I’m here to share them with all of you.

Packed with warm spices like whole cloves, cumin and oregano, Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa is ideal for feeding large crowds. If I’m not entertaining, I still make the large batch and reserve leftover shredded beef to use throughout the week in soups, salads, tacos, quesadillas and more!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What kind of meat is barbacoa?

In the United Sates, barbacoa is typically prepared using using parts of the head of cattle. However, in northern Mexico it is most commonly made with goat meat.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Yes! While this recipe will be best fresh, it can be frozen for later use.

Does this recipe work in the oven?

Using the slow cooker ensures that the meat comes out tender and juicy, but oven methods can be utilized.

The options are endless. Your fork is waiting.

Have you tried my
Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef?

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Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef

5 stars average
Liz Della Croce
A slow cooker version of everyone’s favorite Mexican specialty, this beef barbacoa recipe is ideal for feeding a crowd!
PREP: 10 minutes
COOK: 8 hours
TOTAL: 8 hours 10 minutes
Pin
Servings12

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 6 pounds beef chuck roast
  • 7 leaves bay
  • 5 cloves whole
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons thyme
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 chile de árbol (optional)
  • 6 cups beef or chicken broth
  • 1 lime juiced
  • corn tortillas (minced cilantro and onion – to serve)

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients in slow cooker and heat on low for 8 hours.
  • Remove roasts from the slow cooker and toss cloves and bay leaves. Let rest for 10 minutes before shredding with two forks.
  • Return shredded beef to slow cooker and sprinkle with lime juice. Serve with corn tortillas, cilantro and minced onion.

Last Step:

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Nutrition

Calories: 560kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.5g | Protein: 44.6g | Fat: 40.8g | Saturated Fat: 16.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 24.3g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 1338mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g

For more Healthy Slow Cooker meals, check out my Pinterest page!


5 from 9 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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22 responses to “Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef”

  1. Robin Cusumano Avatar
    Robin Cusumano

    Can I use London broil as the meat source?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes you can!

      1. Larry Avatar
        Larry

        Yesterday (Jan 27,2002). I was able to get in on an out of this world sale on both Chuck roast and pork shoulder roast at .98 a pound for either!

        I have now completely filled one of my freezers and look forward to making not only this dish this week but also slow cooked carnitas and many other delicious Mexican dishes. Just need to pick up a couple of sacks of masa for fresh corn tortillas.

        1. Larry Avatar
          Larry

          I just noticed the typo on the date. It was January 27, 2023. That’s what I get for using my phone to comment. 😂

  2. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    Looking forward to making this! A couple questions: Would you recommend browning the meat before cooking? And secondly, will the lime juice get bitter cooking so long?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      You can brown the meat first! But you don’t have to. You can add the lime juice before or after cooking if you’re worried, but I don’t find that it does!

  3. Sylvia Avatar
    Sylvia

    Liz, one pic shows you squeezing what appears to be an orange into the slow cooker pot but lime juice is listed. Hmmm?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Great catch! That photo is from a different recipe – I deleted it! :)

  4. Leslie King Avatar
    Leslie King

    I bought a chuck roast this morning with the intention of looking on your site for something other than pot roast. Threw this in the crockpot on high for four hrs. Served it with Vigo cilantro lime rice. It is OUTSTANDING!!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Ohh yum I’m so glad you enjoyed it! that rice sounds amazing!

  5. Shana Avatar
    Shana

    You mentioned that you used this throughout the week. …. I don’t cook much meat for my family but would love to try this. Do you need to freeze the extra or is it ok in the fridge?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      It will freeze for up to 3 months or refrigerate for up to 5 days!!

  6. Natalie R Avatar
    Natalie R

    I made this overnight and had some for dinner today.. I cannot get over how AMAZING it tasted! First time making chuck roast and for sure not the last. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh I’m so thrilled to hear it Natalie! Let me know what other recipes you try!

  7. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    This sounds both easy and delicious. Perfect for those of us who live on the border with Mexico… I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a great new year.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I hope you try it some time Susan!! It was so good! Merry Christmas!!!

  8. Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet Avatar
    Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet

    My husband and I have been looking into Cancun! Looks beautiful! Loe this recipe too! :)

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh I hope you have such a great time Lauren!! We loved it so much!

  9. Kathryn Doherty Avatar
    Kathryn Doherty

    Sign me up for a big batch of this! It’s perfect for all the holiday visitors we have coming our way over the next few weeks, but I’d also make it just for our family so we could eat it ALL THE TIME! Delicious. And oh so easy. Yum! Pinning and can’t wait to try it! XO

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      It seriously lasted so long!! Great turned into soup too!! I hope you love it!

  10. Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain Avatar
    Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain

    STOP IT!!! I am so making this when I get back from Park City!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Have so much fun on your trip girl!!! xoxo