Tender Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa Tacos
A simple and flavorful slow cooker beef barbacoa recipe using just five main ingredients, perfect for easy weeknight dinners with tender, juicy meat and smoky, tangy flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 pounds beef chuck roast
- 2–3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce plus 2 tbsp adobo sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: fresh cilantro, diced onions, crumbled queso fresco or shredded cheese, warm corn or flour tortillas, fresh lime wedges, avocado slices or guacamole, pickled jalapeños
Instructions
- Pat the beef chuck dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt, pepper, cumin, and oregano.
- In a small bowl, combine chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, minced garlic, and apple cider vinegar. Stir well.
- Place the seasoned beef at the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the chipotle mixture evenly over the top, then add the beef broth around the meat.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the beef is fork-tender.
- Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks or meat claws.
- Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker and pour the reserved cooking juices over it. Stir to combine.
- Serve the beef barbacoa on warm corn or flour tortillas with your favorite toppings.
Notes
If your slow cooker runs hot, check the beef an hour before the end of cooking to avoid overcooking. Reserve the cooking liquid and pour it back over the shredded beef to keep it moist and flavorful. Warm tortillas properly by toasting or steaming for best results. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 ounces (85 grams)
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 30
Keywords: beef barbacoa, slow cooker beef, tacos, easy dinner, chipotle peppers, slow cooker recipe, beef chuck, Mexican tacos, weeknight dinner