Go Back

Best Authentic Mexican Barbacoa Beef Recipe

Barbacoa Beef is a rich and flavorful slow cooker recipe made with tender chuck roast, smoky chipotle peppers, warm spices, and fresh lime juice. This authentic Mexican-style beef cooks low and slow until fall-apart tender and is perfect for tacos, burritos, bowls, and meal prep.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 9 hours
Total Time 9 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 430
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lb chuck roast
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1¼ cups beef broth divided
  • 3 –4 chipotle chilies in adobo
  • 6 garlic cloves
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1½ tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice

Method
 

  1. Cut chuck roast into 6 pieces, pat dry, and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear beef on all sides until browned.
  3. Transfer seared beef to slow cooker.
  4. Blend chipotle chilies, garlic, and 1/4 cup beef broth until smooth.
  5. Whisk remaining beef broth with chipotle mixture, cumin, oregano, and cloves.
  6. Pour mixture over beef and add bay leaves.
  7. Cover and cook on low for 8–9 hours until beef is fork-tender.
  8. Shred beef and return to slow cooker with juices.
  9. Stir in fresh lime juice and cook on warm for 20–30 minutes.
  10. Strain excess liquid if desired and serve.

Notes

Searing the beef before slow cooking adds deep flavor. Chuck roast is ideal for barbacoa because it becomes tender and juicy when cooked low and slow.