Scrambled Eggs, Cheese, and Avocado Tortilla Bowl Recipe
September 16, 2025
Barbacoa-Style Shredded Beef Recipe
Barbacoa-style shredded beef cooks in flavorful barbacoa sauce in the slow cooker until achieving perfect fall-apart tenderness that defines authentic barbacoa preparation. This traditional recipe develops incredibly rich flavors through slow braising in aromatic sauce that infuses every fiber of meat with complex taste. The patient cooking process creates restaurant-quality results that showcase how proper technique transforms ordinary beef into extraordinary barbacoa.
This barbacoa recipe cooks the beef in a flavorful barbacoa sauce in the slow cooker until it’s fall-apart tender and easy to shred. It’s similar to what you’d get at Chipotle’s and perfect for nachos, tacos, and burritos.
Prep Time:
35 mins
Cook Time:
8 hrs 10 mins
Additional Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
8 hrs 55 mins
Servings:
8
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This melt-in-your-mouth barbacoa recipe is shockingly easy to make in your slow cooker.
What Is Barbacoa?
Barbacoa is a method of cooking meat that produces tender and juicy results. It’s traditionally steam-cooked underground. These days, barbacoa can be prepared over an open fire, on the stove, or in a slow cooker.
Learn more : What Is Barbacoa and How Do You Make It?
What Is Barbacoa Meat?
Historically, lamb or goat is used to make barbacoa. Modern versions can be made with beef or pork. This barbacoa recipe calls for a 3-pound beef chuck roast.
How to Make Barbacoa
You’ll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let’s go over the basics:
Barbacoa Seasoning
The beef is simply seasoned with salt and pepper, then slowly cooked in a flavorful mixture seasoned with garlic, cumin, oregano, cloves, and bay leaves.
How to Make Barbacoa at Home
Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this slow cooker barbacoa recipe:
- Season the beef and brown it on all sides in a skillet.
- Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker and add the remaining ingredients.
- Cook the meat on Low until fork-tender, then shred.
- Return the beef to the slow cooker and toss in the sauce.
What to Serve With Barbacoa
Serve your barbacoa with corn tortillas with toppings such as onions, tomatoes, and cilantro. For more delicious serving inspiration, explore our entire collection of Mexican Side Dishes . Here are a few of the top-rated recipes you’ll find:
- Mexican Rice
- Quick and Easy Refried Beans
- Mexican Corn on the Cob (Elote)
How to Store Barbacoa
Store the leftover barbacoa (and its juices) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat the meat on the stove, in the oven, or in the slow cooker.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
“The meat is so tender and the taste is amazing,” raves Momma Scriv . “I’m a little bit of a lightweight, so I cut it down to one chipotle, but it was still very good. You can also dredge your tortilla in the sauce, fill it with the meat and cheese, and toss it on a skillet or griddle!”
“It was a big hit as is, but if you like really spicy it could be easily made more spicy by adding more of the peppers,” according to one Allrecipes community member. “I served fresh jalapeños on the side for those who wanted more of a kick. The spice blend was perfect for me.”
“This turned out absolutely delicious,” says Stan . “I put the beef on fresh corn tortillas that were dipped in the au jus, then griddled, flipped and topped with cheese!!! Finished them off by stuffing them with this amazing beef, folded, and crisped up!”
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams
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Ingredients
1 (3 pound) beef chuck roast, cut into 6 to 8 chunks
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
½ cup beef broth
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
¼ cup fresh lime juice
4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
3 large bay leaves
Directions
Season beef chunks with salt and pepper on all sides.
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Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook and stir beef until browned, 4 to 5 minutes per batch. Transfer browned beef to a slow cooker.
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Mix broth, vinegar, lime juice, chipotle peppers, garlic, cumin, oregano, and cloves together in a bowl until well combined. Season mixture with salt and pepper and pour over beef in the slow cooker. Stir in bay leaves.
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Cook on Low until beef is fork-tender, 8 to 10 hours. Discard bay leaves. Remove beef from the cooker and shred using two forks.
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Return beef to the slow cooker and stir to coat with sauce. Let marinate for at least 10 minutes before serving.
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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 303 | Calories |
| 23g | Fat |
| 3g | Carbs |
| 20g | Protein |
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 8 | |
| Calories 303 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 23g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat 8g | 41% |
| Cholesterol 78mg | 26% |
| Sodium 150mg | 7% |
| Total Carbohydrate 3g | 1% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 3% |
| Total Sugars 0g | |
| Protein 20g | 41% |
| Vitamin C 3mg | 4% |
| Calcium 32mg | 2% |
| Iron 3mg | 18% |
| Potassium 226mg | 5% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
