This Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa is a delicious and easy-to-make recipe that brings the flavors of Mexican cuisine to your home. The beef is cooked low and slow in a flavorful marinade, resulting in incredibly tender and juicy meat that easily shreds. Perfect for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or even bowls, this barbacoa is sure to become a family favorite. It’s an effortless way to enjoy a rich, flavorful meal with minimal prep!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• ½ cup packed cilantro leaves
• ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 (4-pound) boneless beef chuck roast (excess fat trimmed and cut into 6 pieces)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 ½ tablespoons canola oil
• 1 cup beer (such as Modelo)

Directions

1. Prepare the Cilantro Mixture:
   In a food processor, combine cilantro, vinegar, lime juice, chipotle peppers, garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and cloves. Blend until smooth, scraping the sides as needed.
2. Prepare the Beef:
   Season the beef with salt and pepper. Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the beef and cook until evenly browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
3. Slow Cook the Beef:
   Place the browned beef into a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the cilantro mixture over the beef and add the beer. Stir to combine.
4. Cook:
   Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender and easily shreds.
5. Shred the Beef:
   Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the juices. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve:
   Keep the barbacoa warm for an additional 30 minutes before serving. Serve it in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or as a filling for bowls.

Nutrients

(Note: Nutritional values are approximate and will vary based on exact ingredients used)

• Calories: 350 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 9g
• Protein: 38g
• Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 100mg
• Sodium: 600mg
• Potassium: 450mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 4g
• Vitamin A: 1000 IU
• Vitamin C: 10mg
• Calcium: 35mg
• Iron: 4mg

 

Why Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa is So Great

The beauty of this Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa lies in its tender texture and robust flavors. The beef chuck roast is marinated in a mixture of cilantro, lime, chipotle peppers, garlic, and spices like cumin, oregano, and chili powder. This blend of ingredients not only gives the beef a deep, smoky, and slightly spicy flavor but also ensures it becomes tender and juicy as it cooks low and slow in the slow cooker.

The addition of beer (such as Modelo) to the marinade helps to further tenderize the beef while adding richness to the overall flavor profile. By slow-cooking the beef, the meat becomes so tender that it can be easily shredded, making it perfect for stuffing into tacos or burritos, or serving over rice in a bowl.

Another reason this recipe is a winner is its versatility. The barbacoa can be used in a variety of dishes, making it easy to incorporate into your weekly meal planning. You can make a big batch and store leftovers in the fridge or freezer for future meals, ensuring you always have a tasty option available.

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa

Making Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa is incredibly easy. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a flavorful and hearty meal to enjoy. Here’s how to prepare this delicious dish:

1. Prepare the Cilantro Mixture

Start by making the marinade for the beef. In a food processor, combine the cilantro leaves, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic, ground cumin, dried oregano, chili powder, and ground cloves. Blend everything until smooth, scraping down the sides of the processor as needed. This fragrant mixture will coat the beef and infuse it with flavor as it slow-cooks.

2. Prepare the Beef

Season the beef chuck roast with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef pieces in batches and brown them on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Browning the beef adds a delicious caramelized crust and deepens the overall flavor of the dish.

3. Slow Cook the Beef

Transfer the browned beef to a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the cilantro mixture over the beef and add 1 cup of beer. Stir to combine the ingredients, ensuring the beef is well-coated with the marinade.

4. Cook the Beef

Cover the slow cooker and cook the beef on low heat for 8-9 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender and easily shreds. The long cooking time allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a rich, savory sauce that soaks into the beef.

5. Shred the Beef

Once the beef is done cooking, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. The beef should fall apart easily due to its tenderness. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker and stir it into the juices, allowing it to soak up more of the flavorful sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Serve

For the best flavor, let the barbacoa sit in the slow cooker for an additional 30 minutes on warm. This allows the meat to absorb even more of the marinade and ensures it’s nice and hot when served.

Serve the Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or bowls. You can garnish with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, diced onions, or even a drizzle of salsa or crema for added flavor.

Nutritional Benefits of Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa

Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa is not only delicious but also offers several nutritional benefits. Each serving contains approximately 350 calories, with 38 grams of protein, making it an excellent source of protein, which is essential for muscle repair and growth. The dish also contains 18 grams of fat, including 6 grams of saturated fat, which comes from the beef itself. While the fat content is moderate, it is balanced by the high protein content.

The dish is relatively low in carbohydrates, with only 9 grams of carbs per serving. It also provides 2 grams of fiber, which supports digestive health and helps keep you feeling full for longer. The 4 grams of sugar in each serving primarily comes from the natural sugars in the tomatoes and the chipotle peppers, giving it a subtle sweetness that complements the savory flavors.

In terms of vitamins and minerals, the Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa provides a significant amount of vitamin A (1,000 IU) from the cilantro, which supports immune health and skin health. It also offers a small amount of vitamin C (10 mg), calcium (35 mg), and iron (4 mg), all of which contribute to overall health and wellness.

Serving Suggestions for Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa

This Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa is incredibly versatile and can be served in various ways. Here are a few ideas to enjoy it:

• Tacos: Serve the barbacoa in soft corn or flour tortillas, topped with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and a squeeze of lime.
• Burritos: Roll the barbacoa in a large flour tortilla with rice, beans, cheese, and your favorite salsa for a hearty burrito.
• Quesadillas: Spread the barbacoa inside a tortilla with cheese, then cook it on a skillet until golden and crispy. Slice into wedges for a satisfying meal or snack.
• Bowls: Serve the barbacoa over a bed of rice, topped with your favorite toppings like guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese, and salsa.
• Nachos: Layer the barbacoa on top of tortilla chips with cheese and bake until melted. Top with sour cream, jalapeños, and cilantro for the perfect nacho platter.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa is an incredibly easy, flavorful, and versatile dish that will become a family favorite. The slow-cooked beef is tender and juicy, perfectly seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices and the smokiness of chipotle peppers. Whether you enjoy it in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or bowls, this barbacoa adds a rich, savory flavor to any dish. With minimal prep and the convenience of the slow cooker, this recipe is a go-to option for busy nights or meal prep for the week. Enjoy the delicious flavors of homemade barbacoa with this simple, no-fuss recipe!