Name: Slow Cooker Beef Chuck Roast Barbacoa Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 15 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 3 lb beef chuck roast; 2 medium onions, chopped; 6 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (plus more for garnish); 2 tsp ground cumin; 2-4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced (adjust to taste); Juice of 2 limes; 1 cup low-sodium beef broth; Salt and pepper to taste

Description

This Slow Cooker Barbacoa recipe features tender, flavorful shredded beef cooked low and slow with a blend of spices, chipotle peppers, fresh cilantro, and lime juice. Perfect for tacos, burritos, or bowls, this dish offers a rich, smoky, and slightly spicy taste with minimal hands-on effort thanks to the slow cooker.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

3 lb beef chuck roast
2 medium onions, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (plus more for garnish)
2 tsp ground cumin
2-4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced (adjust to taste)
Juice of 2 limes
1 cup low-sodium beef broth
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Prepare aromatics: Chop the onions and mince the garlic cloves thoroughly to ensure even flavor distribution during cooking.
Season the beef: Generously season the beef chuck roast with salt and pepper to enhance its natural flavors.
(Optional) Sear the beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the beef roast on all sides until a golden brown crust forms. This step adds depth of flavor but can be skipped if short on time.
Add ingredients to slow cooker: Place the seasoned roast in the slow cooker and add chopped onions, minced garlic, minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, ground cumin, fresh lime juice, and low-sodium beef broth on top.
Cook slowly: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 8 to 10 hours, allowing the beef to become tender enough to shred easily.
Shred and finish: Remove the cooked roast from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred the meat finely. Mix the shredded beef with 1 cup of chopped fresh cilantro for added freshness and flavor.
Serve: Serve the barbacoa over warm tortillas and garnish with additional cilantro as desired. Ideal for tacos, burritos, or your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes.

Notes

Searing the beef is optional but recommended for enhancing flavor.
Adjust the number of chipotle peppers to control spiciness.
Use low-sodium beef broth to better control salt levels.
Leftover barbacoa can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for 2 months.
Serve with toppings like diced onions, avocado, or salsa for extra flavor.