This slow cooker beef barbacoa recipe smells ah-mazing and tastes even better! A Chipotle barbacoa copycat, barbacoa meat is perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, tostadas, and so much more...
Tacos are one of those simple meals that make it easy to please everyone. Just set out an array of fresh produce and cheese for toppings, throw together some kind of protein, and everyone can customize their meal to their heart's content.
When it comes to protein, I lean more toward chicken and fish dishes. However, my boys have been begging me for something a little more "manly"... aka beefy. Like this beef barbacoa that I make in my slow cooker!
It's no secret that I {big puffy pink heart} love my slow cooker. I mean, what's not to love? It makes cooking a dish like this a total breeze. And to be honest, I actually have multiple slow cookers, my favorite being the basic stainless steel Crock-Pot slow cooker that I picked up at Target on Black Friday several years ago for $5. Best five bucks I ever spent!
Anyhow, back to this yummy beef barbacoa recipe... McCormick sent me an array of their gourmet spices to create my favorite taco recipe, a few of which are pictured above.
So much variety — and they're all packed with flavor. I had no idea they offered dried jalapeño pepper flakes! I didn't use them in this recipe, but you can bet I'll be trying those out very soon.
Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa Recipe
Did I mention how easy this recipe is to make? Just toss a chuck roast into the slow cooker with about ¾ cup of beef stock. The adobo sauce comes together very quickly in a blender and is then poured over the top. Turn the slow cooker on low and forget about it for about 8-10 hours.
Well, you can try to forget about it, but the amazing aroma will continue to remind you of it and make your mouth water until it's ready... Truly meal prep made easy!
Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa (Chipotle Copycat)
Ingredients
- 4 pounds beef chuck roast
- ¾ cup beef stock
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 medium onion cut into rough chunks
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice about 1 lime
- 4 garlic cloves
- 4 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
Instructions
- Trim any excess fat off the chuck roast and place it in a crock pot with the beef stock.
- In a blender, combine vinegar, onion, lime juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, black pepper, salt, cloves, allspice, salt, and pepper. Add your desired number of chipotle peppers and blend on high. Pour the pureed sauce over the meat, and place the lid on your slow cooker
- Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or on high heat for 6 hours. Don't peek while cooking!
- Shred the barbacoa meat in the juices and serve warm.
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I don't claim to know exactly what's in the Chipotle barbacoa recipe, but I'd say the flavor of this one rivals theirs any day! I like to serve it with Coconut Cilantro Lime Rice and a side of this Chi-Chi's Copycat Mexican Sweet Corn Cake. Or spice it up with this 30-minute Instant Pot Mexican Rice!
Mandy says
This is the second time I made the recipe. First time for a teachers luncheon and it was the first to be emptied out (6 pounds worth) It is SOOO good. I am a wimp so I only put in 2 chilis but followed the rest to a tee. Used fresh onion and garlic out of my garden. Will make again and again.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Oh, I'm so happy to hear that, Mandy! You can't beat coming home to that warm, spicy smell after a long day at work.
Mandy says
This is the second time I made the recipe. First time for a teachers luncheon and it was the first to be emptied out (6 pounds worth) It is SOOO good. I am a wimp so I only put in 2 chilis but followed the rest to a tee. Used fresh onion and garlic out of my garden. Will make again and again.
Jen says
Hi! Would this work with pork as well?
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Hi, Jen! I actually haven't tried this particular recipe with pork. If you do, I'd suggest using chicken stock rather than beef stock — but you may want to seek out a carnitas recipe instead.
audrey says
How spicy "hot" is it?
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Audrey, I don't find it to be too hot, but if you're sensitive to spicy foods you can control it by decreasing the chipotle peppers and/or scooping out the seeds before blending. (The seeds are actually the hottest part of a pepper.)
Larry says
Sounds good. Can you use a beef brisket instead of a chuck roast?
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
I've not tried it, Larry, but it should work. Just know that because brisket is a leaner cut, it may be a little less flavorful.
Lupe says
Hi, quick question regarding the cloves in the recipe - are we talking ground cloves? Thanks!
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Yes, use ground cloves. Thanks for pointing that out, Lupe — I'll update the recipe to avoid any confusion!
Katy says
Thinking of blending the sauce tonight, refrigerating it, then just assembling it all in the crock tomorrow morning. Is that do-able?
Really looking forward to this one! Thanks!
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
I haven't tried it, but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work. I'd love to hear how it turns out!
Alo says
How many people does the recipe feed?
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Alo, this serves 8 people generously, and I'm sure you can stretch it even further.
JennyD says
Apologies in advance if this is a silly question... the ingredient list calls for "3-4 chipotle chilis in adobo sauce" and the in the directions it says to "Pour the adobo sauce over the meat". Is this the adobo sauce that was in the can of chipotle chilis OR is it the liquid mixture you just blended up in step 2?
Thanks so much - planning to make this today and enjoy this week :D
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Sorry that was unclear, Jenny! I was referring to the sauce that you just blended up in step 2. I'll update the recipe to avoid any confusion.
Andrea says
I'd love to try this but can you tell me how to get "chilis in adobo sauce"? Is this a packaged item? If this is something you prepare, can you tell me what to do? Is it fresh chili peppers in a bottled sauce? Thanks so much! Can't wait to try!
JennyD says
Andrea I happened upon them yesterday in Albertson's (standard american grocery chain such as Ralphs, Kroger, Von's, Safeway, etc) when shopping for another recipe. They were in a can and if I recall correctly they were *chipotle* chilis in adobo sauce. I found them in the Hispanic aisle where they have salsas. Hope that helps!!
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Yep, JennyD is correct! They do come in a can and are typically found with the Hispanic ingredients and taco kits.
Andrea says
YeS! Thank you both! I found them in the hispanic food section! Sold in a can near all of the Goya products. I am making this for dinner this Friday. Can't wait to try it!
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Hope you love it! I actually have it cooking right now, and it smells sooooo good. Can't wait for dinner after soccer practice!
Sarah says
I made this tonight and honestly I can't believe that after all that time in the slow cooker the meat was DRY! The flavors are good though. It was in the slow cooker for 7-8 hours...any ideas?
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Did you have it set on low, Sarah? I know I tried to rush it once on high, and it turned out very dry because it cooked too quickly.
Erik says
I am going to try this recipe for the 4th of July, however, I am a little worried about using chuck roast. I never get barbacoa from Chipotle or Qdoba, just because it feels like a bastardization of the barbacoa I grew up with. Asking my grandmother for advice, she explained that the reason is that it isn't barabcoa if you are using chuck roast in place of beef cheeks (literally, the cheek muscles from a cow's head). I have less than a week to track something like that down. Does anyone have a notion that might help?
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
I can't say that I've ever had real barbacoa made from beef cheeks, so I'm not sure how they compare. I would think you could ask the butcher at any supermarket to learn where you could find it though.
Leslie Ramey says
Thanks for sharing this, I can`t wait to make it. With a newborn, I have been looking for new and easy but yummy meals that I can make in the crockpot!! It sounds amazing. I think my husband will love it.
Kat says
Made this last week and it was great! I didn't have the chilies or the "allspice", But I made do. I used hot sauce and red pepper flakes and blended the onions and other seasonings to poor over the meat. It was awesome! Thanks!
CJ Huang says
We were just talking about barbacoa tonight and how we wanted some! Yours looks great. :)
Lauren @ Rustic Honey says
YUM! I will have to try these! We always have taco night on Mondays. This will be perfect! Thanks!
Kelly @ The Moon and Me says
Sounds perfectly delicious! We just bought a quarter of beef and will have plenty of roasts...this is gonna be some of them! :)
Kelly
Nicolette says
Is the apple cider mentioned in the ingredient list- apple cider (juice) or apple cider vinegar? I love the barbacoa at Chipotle and really want to try your recipe.
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Yikes, I must have been really distracted when typing out the recipe. I'll fix it right now, but it's apple cider vinegar. Enjoy!
Prescilla says
I would consider this "shredded beef" tacos not barbacoa. Real barbacoa is made from beef tongue or cheek. Sounds ew but that is all you will find in Mexico!
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Yes, you're correct Prescilla — this would be the Americanized version that's like what is served at Chipotle.
JennyD says
Prescilla, does Chipotle serve Barbacoa beef that is beef tongue or cheek? Yeah, I don't think so.
Jenn says
Actually, there are places that sell Barbacoa (cheek) in Texas. Taco Cabana is one.
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
Slow cooker tacos are the best!
Paula - bell'alimento says
I am on a taco tear so bring it on!
Aggie says
My husband would love this, he usually picks the barbacoa beef at Chipotle for his burritos. Would love to make this for him at home!
And I love those jalapeno flakes!
Angie says
Yum, yum, yum. Wish I had this for dinner tonight!
Shaina says
We love barbacoa. Too bad I don't have a Crock-Pot. Total slacker that hasn't replaced the one that broke 7 years ago...
Judit + Corina @WineDineDaily says
Love this versatile recipe.... and looks delicious :)
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
Mmm. This looks delicious!!! Love that it's cooked in the slow cooker too!!!
Cheri says
This recipe looks quite yummy. Can you clarify the amount of allspice that should be used? It is listed twice for different amounts. Thanks a bunch!
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Thanks for telling me, Cheri! It should be 1 teaspoon, and I updated the recipe.