Barbacoa
This barbacoa recipe is simple to make in your slow cooker, and makes the most tender, flavorful, delicious barbacoa beef.
Prep: 10min
Total: 4h20min
Yield: 0
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast (fat trimmed), cut into 2-inch chunks
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 chipotles in adobo sauce, chopped
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
- 1 small white onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon dried Mexican oregano (or standard dried oregano)
- 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup beef stock or water
Instruction:
- Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a slow cooker. Toss gently to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is tender and falls apart easily when shredded with a fork.
- Using two forks, shred the beef into bite-sized pieces inside of the slow cooker. Toss the beef with the juices, then cover and let the barbacoa beef soak up the juices for an extra 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaves.
- Use a pair of tongs or a slotted spoon to serve the barbacoa beef and enjoy!
EASY BARBACOA RECIPE | perfect for tacos, burritos, bowls, and salads!
FAQ
What kind of meat is barbacoa?
Barbacoa is typically made out of tougher cuts of meat that require long, slow cooking times. When done traditionally, barbacoa is made with large cuts of meat or whole animals. In the United States, barbacoa is usually associated with beef. However, in Mexico, barbacoa is made from beef, goat, lamb or mutton.
How is barbacoa traditionally made?
barbacoa, (Spanish: “barbecue”) a method of cooking meat that originated in Mexico; the term also can refer to the meat itself. Traditionally, lamb or goat is slow roasted for several hours in a pit that is topped with maguey leaves.
What is barbacoa seasoning made of?
It’s a mixture of garlic, onion, lime juice, apple cider vinegar (I looove the tang it gives this – it really cuts the richness of the beef!), chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and a littttle bit of ground cloves.
What is the best cut of meat for barbacoa?
Chuck roast – this type of roast is best here with it’s fat marbling. It yields super tender results. Vegetable oil – this is used for browning the roast. Beef broth – chicken broth can be substitute here if that’s what you have.
