Hungry Healthy Happy

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About Us
  • Recipe Index
  • Meal Plans
  • Recipes To Your Inbox
  • Shop
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Us
  • Recipe Index
  • Meal Plans
  • Recipes To Your Inbox
  • Shop
×
Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Beef

Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa

Oct 8, 2024 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 10 Comments

89 shares
  • 26
Diet: Gluten Free / Low Carb
Jump to Recipe
Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa with a text title overlay.

This Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa is incredible! It's melt in your mouth tender beef in a chipotle and lime sauce. Cooked low and slow, the beef just falls apart and it's perfect to put in tacos and burrito bowls or even loaded on nachos. It is so simple to make, but bursting with flavor.

Four shredded beef barbacoa tacos topped with tomatoes and herbs.

This slow cooker barbacoa is spicy and comforting, but also light and fresh. It really has everything. It takes a little bit of prep to get the best flavor from the beef, but then you just put it all in the slow cooker and let it cook away. You end up with the most incredible tender and juicy beef that just pulls apart. No dry or chewy beef here!

The flavors in this barbacoa recipe are simple, with just 8 ingredients added to the beef. This is the kind of shredded beef you get in Mexican restaurants, but SO easy to make yourself.

The chipotle and lime mixed with plenty of garlic, cumin and oregano cook together in a beef broth which coats the chunks of beef for a huge burst of flavor in every mouthful.

If you are looking for other Mexican recipes to try, then why not try our easy Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas, quick Chicken Quesadillas, simple Salmon Tacos or our delicious Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • What is the Best Beef to Use?
  • How To Make Beef Barbacoa - Step by Step
  • How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa
  • Extra Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Slow Cooker Beef Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Ingredients and Substitutions

All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.
  • Chuck Roast/Braising steak - Slow cookers are great for making budget friendly meals, because you can use cheaper cuts of meat. Cooking low and slow will get cheaper cuts really tender and still full of flavor. So we used braising steak for this recipe. You can even use goat or lamb to make this.
  • Garlic - Freshly crushed is best, but you could use frozen, or ready crushed in a tube. You could add some finely diced onion too.
  • Chipotle paste - This is where the spicy and smokiness comes from. If you don't like a lot of spice, then you can use less. Equally, if you like it really spicy, then you can add more.
  • Lime - A squeeze of lime juice adds a lovely freshness to the best.
  • Oil - We browned the beef in a good quality olive oil.
  • Stock - This is what makes up most of the sauce. Use a really good quality beef stock pot (beef broth) as you will taste the difference. If you are making this for young children, then use a low salt stock.
  • Spices - Along with salt and pepper, we added some cumin and oregano for some Mexican flavors.

What is the Best Beef to Use?

Beef chuck roast is definitely the best cut of meat to use for this beef barbacoa recipe. In the UK, this cut is referred to as braising steak. Similar to the shoulder of pork, chuck/braising steak contains a good amount of fat and marbling, making it perfect for shredding. We cut ours into chunks for adding to the slow cooker.

When it comes to slow cooker beef barbacoa, there is no need for an expensive joint of meat. You can get away with using a cheap cut, as cooking it low and slow makes it really fall apart and melt-in-your-mouth.

You could also use skirt, rump roast or brisket. Cooking times may vary though.

How To Make Beef Barbacoa - Step by Step

Large chunks of beef browning in a frying pan.
  1. Step 1: Heat the oil in a large pan. Cut the beef into chunks and add to the pan. Brown on all sides (about 5 minutes).
Chunks of browned beef in a slow cooker bowl.
  1. Step 2: Transfer to the slow cooker.
Barbacoa marinade in a small mixing bowl.
  1. Step 3: Combine the rest of the ingredients in a bowl.
Browned beef and barbacoa marinade in a slow cooker bowl.
  1. Step 4: Pour the sauce over the beef. Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 8 hours.
Shredded beef in a slow cooker with a set of tongs.
  1. Step 5: Remove the beef from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred it. Return the shredded beef back to the slow cooker and mix with the liquid.
    Add some chopped cilantro (coriander) if you desire.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa

This beef barbacoa in the slow cooker goes in so many things. Our favorite way to serve it is in shredded beef tacos. Here are just a few ideas of how to use it:

  • Tacos
  • Enchiladas
  • Burritos
  • Pizza topping
  • On tagliatelle or udon noodles
  • Fajitas
  • Sandwiches
  • Beef Burrito bowl
  • Nacho topping
  • In a burger bun with coleslaw
  • On rice or mashed potato
  • On salads

Extra Tips

  • Slow cookers all cook things at different rates. You want to make sure that you don't overcook your beef as it will dry out. The beef is cooked when it easily shreds with a fork.
  • To make a lighter version of this slow cooker pulled beef, make sure to trim all the visible fat off the beef.
  • If you like your food with a real kick of heat, add some extra red chilli flakes.
  • If there is a lot of juice in your slow cooker after you take the beef out to shred, then you might want to remove some of the mixture before putting the shredded meat back in.
  • For something different, but really easy, mix the beef with BBQ sauce rather than the stock.
A row of shredded beef tacos on a wooden serving board.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you cook slow cooker beef barbacoa for?

We recommend cooking it on low for 7-8 hours. However you can cook it in your slow cooker on high for 3-4 hours. It will depend on your slow cooker and the size of the chunks of beef too. If your beef isn't falling apart then it isn't tender enough and it needs some extra time.

How to store slow cooker beef barbacoa.

It will also keep in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days, but it might start to get a bit dry.

Can you freeze slow cooker beef barbacoa?

Yes, this freezes really well. You can portion it out and it will keep in the freezer for 2-3 months.

What slow cooker to use

There really is no rule here, just make sure that the beef you are using can fit in your slow cooker. We use a Crock Pot DuraCeramic Slow Cooker and we love it. What I love most about it is that you can put the bowl insert on the hob too, meaning you can brown meat, sauté vegetables or thicken gravy in it. I also love that it has a clear lid, as I am so impatient that I want to keep looking and seeing what it is doing. If you don't have a clear lid, then lifting it to see will release lots of the heat and add to the cooking time.

Do you have to sear the meat first?

You don't have to, but if you have the time then it adds such a depth of flavor. Basically, you want to trigger the Maillard reaction. It is a chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that gives browned food its distinctive flavor. You don't have to though, and you can just throw everything into the slow cooker and leave it if you are really short on time.

More Slow Cooker Beef Recipes

  • A bowl of beef bourguignon with some cooked greens.
    Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon
  • Slow cooker beef goulash topped with coriander leaves.
    Slow Cooker Beef Goulash
  • A bowl of slow cooker beef stroganoff with mashed potato
    Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
  • Slow Cooker Beef Casserole and mashed potato in a white dish.
    The BEST Slow Cooker Beef Casserole

If you’ve tried this barbacoa beef recipe, then let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

Recipe

Beef Barbacoa in soft tacos.

Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa

By: Dannii Martin
This Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa is incredible! Cooked low and slow, it's perfect for tacos, burritos or loaded on nachos.
A circular logo saying GF.
Gluten Free
The words low carb in a white circle.
Low Carb
4.89 from 18 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Caribbean
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 6 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Total: 6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 232kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a bunch of celery.
Celery
An illustration of a cow's head.
Meat

Ingredients

  • 800 g (1.75 lb) Braising steak (chuck roast)
  • 2 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 150 ml (0.66 cups) Beef stock
  • 3 Garlic clove - crushed
  • 1 Lime - juice only
  • 2 tablespoon Chipotle en adobo
  • 1 teaspoon Sea salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
  • 0.5 teaspoon Cumin

Instructions

  • Heat 2 tablespoon Olive oil in a large pan. Cut 800 g Braising steak (chuck roast) into chunks and add to the pan. Brown on all sides (about 5 minutes).
  • Combine 150 ml Beef stock, 3 Garlic clove, juice of 1 Lime, 2 tablespoon Chipotle en adobo, 1 teaspoon Sea salt, 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon Dried oregano and 0.5 teaspoon Cumin in a bowl.
  • Pour the sauce over the beef. Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 8 hours.

Recipe Tips

  • Slow cookers all cook things at different rates. You want to make sure that you don't overcook your beef as it will dry out. The beef is cooked when it easily shreds with a fork.
  • If you like your food with a real kick of heat, add some extra red chilli flakes.
  • If there is a lot of juice in your slow cooker after you take the beef out to shred, then you might want to remove some of the mixture before putting the shredded meat back in.
  • For something different, but really easy, mix the beef with BBQ sauce rather than the stock.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 449mg | Potassium: 397mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 216IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 3mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

You'll love these too...

  • A large cooking pot full of creamy beef pasta.
    One Pot Creamy Beef Pasta
  • A high protein steak and rice bowl next to a checked towel.
    High Protein Steak and Rice Bowl
  • Slow cooker beef massaman curry in a bowl with rice.
    Slow Cooker Beef Massaman Curry
  • Slow cooker chilli con carne in a bowl with tortilla chips and rice.
    Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne

Comments

  1. Savita says

    November 17, 2021 at 1:18 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so juicy and delicious. Can't wait to try it out.

    Reply
  2. Gina says

    November 17, 2021 at 1:10 pm

    5 stars
    Perfect recipe for delicious taco meat! Love when the slow cooker does all the work for me.

    Reply
  3. Katherine says

    November 17, 2021 at 11:13 am

    5 stars
    I love chipotle flavors. Such a good idea to slow cook the beef to get it so tender.

    Reply
  4. Joaquin says

    November 17, 2021 at 10:49 am

    5 stars
    What a great recipe! It looks so juicy and tasty! I can't wait to put my slow cooker to good use!

    Reply
  5. Kristen Wood says

    November 17, 2021 at 7:58 am

    5 stars
    Pinned to make for family this weekend! Thank you!!

    Reply
  6. Toni says

    November 16, 2021 at 5:59 pm

    5 stars
    This quickly became a favorite favorite at my house! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  7. Tavo says

    November 16, 2021 at 5:04 pm

    5 stars
    I made this barbacoa for my friends over the weekend and everyone loved it! Thanks for another great recipe!

    Reply
  8. Natalie says

    November 16, 2021 at 4:24 pm

    5 stars
    I'm going to make this for my boys this weekend. Looks delicious and super easy to make. A simple recipe that tastes delicious. Love it!

    Reply
  9. Lindsay says

    November 16, 2021 at 3:49 pm

    5 stars
    We just got a share of a cow, so I've been looking for ideas for the roast, that are different from the usual things. this is going to be perfect! Adding to the list!

    Reply
  10. Pam says

    November 16, 2021 at 3:11 pm

    5 stars
    I love using my slow cooker at this time of year and this is a great recipe to last all week for easy meals!

    Reply
4.89 from 18 votes (8 ratings without comment)

Made this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Dannii with a sunset behind her.

Welcome

My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.

Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

About me...

Salad Recipes

  • Roasted Vegetable Winter Salad in a white dish surrounded by crumbled feta.
    Roasted Vegetable Winter Salad
  • A plate of kale, watermelon and feta salad surrounded by watermelon slices.
    Kale, Watermelon and Feta Salad
  • A large bowl of chickpea tuna salad with a serving spoon in it.
    Chickpea Tuna Salad
  • Chopped Blue Cheese Salad in a large white bowl.
    Chopped Blue Cheese Salad
  • A bowl of watercress salad with a wooden fork and spoon in it.
    Watercress Salad
  • Little Gem Salad in a round white bowl.
    Little Gem Salad

Recipe Books

The Hungry Healthy Happy book cover.
The healthy slow cooker book cover.
the front cover of The Picky Plate eBook.

Popular Recipes

  • Leftover chicken pasta on a black plate.
    Leftover Chicken Pasta
  • Mediterranean Rice Salad in a large round serving dish.
    Mediterranean Rice Salad
  • Fourteen healthy flapjacks on a sheet of parchment paper.
    Healthy Flapjacks
  • A tortilla chip being dipped into some nacho cheese sauce.
    2 Minute Nacho Cheese Sauce
  • Sticky Ginger Beef in a bowl with rice and broccoli.
    10 Minute Sticky Ginger Beef Mince
  • Baked Egg Tortilla in a round baking dish.
    Baked Egg Tortilla (Tortilla Quiche)

Footer

Help & Information

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Advertising
  • Blog

About us

  • About us
  • Newsletter Sign Up!
  • Press enquiries
  • FAQ

Follow us


Featured in

A selection of publications that Hungry Healthy Happy has been featured in

As an Amazon Associate we earn certain commissions from qualifying purchases. By using our site, you agree that we can collect and use your data. Our privacy statement has more details.

Copyright © 2011-2024 Hungry Healthy Happy • All Rights Reserved

  • 26

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.