Barbacoa Recipe

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This authentic Barbacoa Recipe is a simple slow cooker meal that makes the most tender, flavorful, delicious barbacoa beef.

Does anyone else love Chipotle as much as I do? One of my favorite things to order there is their Barbacoa.

This barbacoa recipe is the real deal!

Barbacoa

I have never cooked with chipotles in adobo sauce before so this is a first for me. They are partly responsible for the delicious flavor of this dish.  I found them in the same Mexican foods aisle at the grocery store right by the greens chili’s.

It’s easy to add everything to your slow cooker before you leave for the day. Your house will smell completely amazing when you walk through the door.

What is Barbacoa?

Interestingly, Barbacoa originally was prepared from parts of a cow’s head (mainly cheeks).  You would also see goat or venison used as well.

It was slow cooked in a brick lined oven dug into the ground in Central Mexico.  Today, we know it more commonly as a”brisket”.

I actually bought chuck roast already cut into chunks for stew. You could also use a beef brisket too.

How to Serve Barbacoa

You can serve it in soft or hard tortillas topped with cilantro lime rice, black beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, cheese and sour cream.

Or forget the tortilla and make it a rice bowl or even a salad.  However you decide, it’s all fantastic!

Ingredients to Make Barbacoa

3 lbs chuck roast (fat trimmed), cut into 2-inch chunks

1/2 cup chicken or beef broth or water

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 chipotles in adobo sauce, chopped (more if you like more heat)

1 small white onion, chopped

3 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 bay leaves

1 Tablespoon ground cumin

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1/4 teaspoons ground cloves

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

How to Make Authentic Barbacoa

In a medium sized bowl, combine all the ingredients except the meat, and stir to combine.

Place the meat in the slow cooker.

Pour the sauce over the meat and gently toss to combine.

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.

Shred the beef using 2 forks inside the slow cooker.

Use a pair of tongs or a slotted spoon to serve the barbacoa.

Refrigerate in the juices in a sealed container. It also freezes well.

Here are a few other slow cooker recipes to make and have ready when you get home after work.

Apple Pork Tenderloin

Slow Cooker Chicken Paprika

Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Slow Cooker Angel Chicken

5 from 2 votes

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Barbacoa

This authentic barbacoa recipe is a simple slow cooker meal that makes the most tender, flavorful, delicious barbacoa beef.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword Barbacoa

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 8 hours

Servings 6

Calories 430 kcal

Author Sherri

Ingredients

• 3 lbs chuck roast fat trimmed, cut into 2-inch chunks
• 1/2 cup chicken or beef broth or water
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 chipotles in adobo sauce chopped (more if you like more heat)
• 1 small white onion chopped
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoons ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. In a medium sized bowl, combine all the ingredients except the meat, and stir to combine.
2. Place the meat in the slow cooker.
3. Pour the sauce over the meat and gently toss to combine.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
5. Shred the beef using 2 forks inside the slow cooker.
6. Use a pair of tongs or a slotted spoon to serve the barbacoa.
7. Refrigerate in the juices in a sealed container. It also freezes well.

Nutrition Facts

Barbacoa

Amount Per Serving (6 g)

Calories 430 Calories from Fat 234

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 26g 40%

Saturated Fat 11g 55%

Cholesterol 156mg 52%

Sodium 730mg 30%

Potassium 848mg 24%

Total Carbohydrates 4g 1%

Sugars 1g

Protein 44g 88%

Vitamin A 2.8%

Vitamin C 7.4%

Calcium 6.6%

Iron 32.6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 Adapted from Food.com