This Slow Cooker Barbacoa Recipe has become one of our family favorites. Tender fall apart beef that simmers all day long in flavorful Mexican spices. If you are a fan of Chipotles Barbacoa recipe, you are going to love this recipe. We love to use the Barbacoa for quick and easy tacos. It’s perfect on a corn tortilla piled high with fresh pico de gallo, avocados and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Barbacoa Beef
My very favorite slow cooker recipes are the ones that take the least amount of preparation. On busy mornings, I just want to throw it in the slow cooker and go. I recently updated this recipe and photos to start with searing. This step is great and gives it added color and flavor, but it’s not required if you are in a hurry!
Barbacoa Recipe
Start with a good quality cut of boneless chuck roast. A good quality cut will have a nice amount of fat that will render out in the slow cooker without being overly fatty. For very best results, use a fresh chuck roast you have not frozen. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours, or until tender.
Once the meat is tender, it’s time to shred and serve. Don’t discard the flavorful cooking liquid. Keep the juices in the slow cooker and let them combine with the shredded meat.
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 1/2 pounds of good quality boneless chuck roast
- 1/2 cup low sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon of kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon freshly minced cilantro
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Season roast lightly with salt and pepper.
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In a large skillet, heat tablespoon of vegetable oil to high, sear roast on both sides.
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Place boneless chuck roast in slow cooker and use seasoning to season on all sides. Add beef broth to slow cooker.
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Cover and cook on low in slow cooker for 8-9 hours, or until meat is fork tender.
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Once meat is tender, shred in slow cooker and serve with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a sprinkle of cilantro.
Perfect on tacos, in burritos, burrito bowls or just as a main dish with rice and beans!
You may also like:
Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl
Instant Pot Chicken Enchiladas
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5 Easy Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights
My five FAVORITE recipes for busy families!
- Quick to make
- Light on your budget
- Easy to clean-up
- and...most important...absolutely DELICIOUS
easypeasy
June 17, 2015 at 7:29 pmOh my goodness! This looks amazing! my mouth wont stop watering! 🙂
Joelle
September 20, 2015 at 7:43 pmDo you use the entire mix of seasoning?
Melissa
October 1, 2015 at 4:10 pmYes, use all the seasoning listed.
Joelle
October 1, 2015 at 5:41 pmGood to know…thank you!
John riekena
May 14, 2019 at 9:34 pmI know this is the updated version, I actually prefer the older version better for myself…can you remind me what the difference…I used to make this every weekend. Unfortunately I’ve been so busy this past year, I haven’t had the chance. Thanks again!
Melissa
May 15, 2019 at 8:54 amHi John! The older version had no searing and no broth. The seasonings are the same. 😄
Liz
December 17, 2015 at 6:34 pmYum – thank you. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Carleigh
February 23, 2016 at 4:27 amI think the recipe has vanished! I can’t find it on the page and this is one of my husband and I’s favorite!
Melissa
February 23, 2016 at 9:37 amSorry, my website had a little hiccup last night. The recipe is visible again. Thanks for letting me know!
Christine
March 30, 2016 at 12:34 pmHi – have you ever cooked the beef on high? I was hoping to cook it for dinner tonight but it’s already 12:30pm. :/
Melissa
April 7, 2016 at 2:31 pmDid you try it on high? You could probably get away with about 6 hours on high.
Krista
September 15, 2016 at 7:23 amDo you think you could do this with pork? I made it before with beef and loved it but accidentally bought the wrong meat at the grocery store this time!
Melissa
September 16, 2016 at 10:09 amI think that will work great!
Krista
September 15, 2016 at 7:26 amDo you think you could do this with a pork loin? I made it before with beef and loved it but I accidentally bought the wrong meat at the store this week!
Tanya
May 1, 2017 at 6:28 amThis is the best homemade Barbacoa! So easy to prepare and super yummy. My family keeps asking when I will be making it again. I am actually maki again today and I am making 2 roasts as I have a very large slow cooker. The seasoning is perfect and the liquid it creates is just the right amount. Thanks for such a wonderful recipe.
Melissa
May 2, 2017 at 1:50 pmThat’s so great! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Joann Leslie Zamora
December 2, 2017 at 6:05 pmHi,
How large is your slow cooker and how much time did you set it for? Im trying to make 6lbs.
Lisa
July 26, 2017 at 4:16 pmThis is a fantastic recipe! I picked it because I needed something quick and easy to do with a chuck roast in the freezer. The meat is so flavorful and literally fell apart when I went to shred it. I found it a bit salty so I will adjust that next time, but the spice mix was otherwise perfect. Thank you!!
aaron clark
July 29, 2017 at 4:15 pmthis is not Barbacoa I’m sure it is good but not Barbacoa the real thing is made with cheek meat try cheek meat and you will see what real barbacoa is.
Sarah
April 27, 2019 at 9:54 amBarbacoa is actually made with lamb and it is cooked underground for 12 hours. I lived in Mexico for 6 years and my husband owned an authentic Barbacoa restaurant! I don’t eat lamb so this sound so good!
Joann Leslie Zamora
December 2, 2017 at 6:03 pmDo you think id be able to make 6lbs (double the recipe) of this in a 6qt crockpot?
Melissa
December 9, 2017 at 8:27 amI think so!
Faith Farley
July 30, 2018 at 9:00 amI tried this recipe w friends. Absolutely amazing. Your recipes are simple n good. Thanks.
Donna
September 23, 2018 at 6:18 amIs browning the meat the only change you made in the update? Is the broth another change?My family has loved the original and I don’t recall it including broth . Thank you!