Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa

Name: Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 3-in chunks; 4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced; 2 tbsp adobo sauce (from the chipotle can); 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth; 1/4 cup fresh lime juice; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 6 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tsp ground cumin; 2 tsp dried oregano (Mexican preferred); 1/4 tsp ground cloves; 2 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 2 bay leaves

Beef chuck braised low and slow in a smoky chipotle-lime sauce until it shreds apart effortlessly - perfect for tacos, burritos, or rice bowls. Plan ahead: cook time is 8 to 10 hours on low.

50 minEasyServes 6440 cal/serving

MexicanDinnerSlow CookerHigh ProteinLow CarbGluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 3-in chunks
4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
2 tbsp adobo sauce (from the chipotle can)
1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp dried oregano (Mexican preferred)
1/4 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
2 bay leaves

Instructions

1

Season 3 lbs cut into 3-in chunks beef chuck roast pieces all over with 2 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
2

In the slow cooker, whisk together 4 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 2 tbsp adobo sauce (from the chipotle can), 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 6 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp dried oregano (Mexican preferred), and 1/4 tsp ground cloves.
3

Add the beef to the slow cooker and turn to coat in the sauce. Tuck 2 bay leaves in among the beef pieces.
4

Cook on Low for 8 to 10 hours or on High for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is fall-apart tender and reaches an internal temperature well above 160°F (71°C) throughout.
5

Remove and discard the bay leaves. Use two forks to shred the beef directly in the slow cooker, then stir to coat with the cooking juices.
6

Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve in tacos, burritos, or over rice, spooning some of the cooking juices over the top.

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Questions

How long does Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa take?

As written, 50 minutes: 20 of prep and 30 of cooking. The longest single stretch is step 4 (10 hours): "Cook on Low for 8 to 10 hours or on High for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is fall-apart tender and reaches an internal temperature well above 160°F (71°C) throughout." That wait sits outside the stated prep and cook times, so plan around it.

What internal temperature should Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa reach?

For Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa, the target internal temperature is 160 F (about 70 C), given in step 4. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

What can I use instead of chipotle in adobo in Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa?

The entry for Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa calls for 4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced. In its place: Use smoked paprika with a pinch of cayenne and a teaspoon of tomato paste per pepper.

Can I make Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa less spicy?

Yes. The heat in Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa comes from 4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced and 2 tbsp adobo sauce (from the chipotle can). For a milder plate, start with half the chipotle peppers and add more to taste at the end; nothing else in the method changes.

Is Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa low-carb?

A serving of Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa carries 18 g of carbohydrate, 2 g of it fiber. Against a strict 20 g keto day that is 90 percent of the budget; against a moderate 100 g low-carb day it is 18 percent.

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