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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Oh my goodness! This looks amazing! my mouth wont stop watering! 🙂
Do you use the entire mix of seasoning?
Yes, use all the seasoning listed.
Good to know…thank you!
I 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!
Hi John! The older version had no searing and no broth. The seasonings are the same. ?
Yum – thank you. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
I think the recipe has vanished! I can’t find it on the page and this is one of my husband and I’s favorite!
Sorry, my website had a little hiccup last night. The recipe is visible again. Thanks for letting me know!
Hi – have you ever cooked the beef on high? I was hoping to cook it for dinner tonight but it’s already 12:30pm. :/
Did you try it on high? You could probably get away with about 6 hours on high.
Do 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!
I think that will work great!
Do 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!
This 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.
That’s so great! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Hi,
How large is your slow cooker and how much time did you set it for? Im trying to make 6lbs.
This 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!!
this 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.
Barbacoa 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!
Do you think id be able to make 6lbs (double the recipe) of this in a 6qt crockpot?
I think so!
I tried this recipe w friends. Absolutely amazing. Your recipes are simple n good. Thanks.
Is 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!
Can this be made in an instant pot?
I forgot to buy beef broth, but I have veggie broth. Will that make a big difference do you think?
I love having new slow cooker recipes to try. This looks so good!
The searing step is a bit more to do but oh so worth it! I used this for tacos last night and am planning on making burrito bowls today. Thank you!
This is incredible! Homemade is always the best and this is an incredible recipe!
This was a huge hit at my house!! Thank you for the recipe!
It’s so good! One of my favorite way to eat tacos!
I have made this many times and love it! Do you know what the proper conversion of cooking time would be if you wanted to cook in an instant pot?
I made this for dinner today. It was a big hit with my family!! My mother LOVED it as much as me. This recipe will be added to my box of favorites for sure!
Thank You so much for sharing!!
This looks so amazing! I love slow cooker meat. 🙂
I tried this recipe the other night. I think it’s my husband’s new favorite way to eat beef! So flavorful.
Looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it.
Excellent flavor! I even made a little extra to eat for lunch tomorrow.
I made this just as recipe called for and it was awesome. We are Texans and my family loved these tacos. Meat was very moist , tender and flavorful. I can not wait to make again. This recipe is going into rotation around here for sure. Easiest thing i have ever made.
This continues to be one of my family’s favorite dinners. SO GOOD every time.
This looks so delicious and tasty! I can’t wait to make this!
The meat comes out so tender and so flavorful! Love making it in the slow cooker!
For an Instant Pot, pressure cook for 35 minutes. Do a slow release.
This sounds delicious!!!
Can I make this in an instant pot?
Yes! I have an Instant Pot version! https://www.number-2-pencil.com/instant-pot-barbacoa-recipe-3/
This is not Barbacoa this is just shredded beef. Barbacoa is cheek meat of the cow the meat is very different in taste and texture.
This is a very good recipe. A new favorite meal at our house.
LOVED this recipe!! It was full of flavor and a huge hit at our house! Thank you for that!
This recipe was incredibly easy and I was able to make it with spices I already had in my pantry. I followed the recipe exactly, EXCEPT I made it in our pressure cooker. I cooked it on medium heat, high pressure for 1 hour and the meat was falling apart just taking it out of the pressure cooker. Super easy and will certainly make again. Many thanks.
Ohhhhmmmmmgeeee! These are absolutely amazing 😉 my family loved them. This is definitely a keeper. Thanks so much ❤️