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Beef Barbacoa

Tender, spicy beef slowly simmered to perfection, perfect for tacos, burritos, or enjoyed on its own.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 3 lbs chuck roast
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to taste

Equipment

  • Slow cooker or Instant Pot
  • Searing pan
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups

Method
 

  1. Trim excess fat from the 3 lbs chuck roast to prevent greasy barbacoa.
  2. Rub 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, and 1 tablespoon chili powder all over the meat to season thoroughly.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a searing pan over medium-high heat and sear the meat on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side, until browned.
  4. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and 1 chopped onion to the pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Transfer the meat and aromatics to the slow cooker and add 1/2 cup beef broth, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours (480 minutes) until the beef is tender and shreddable.
  7. Remove the meat from the cooking liquid and shred using two forks, then return the shredded beef to the slow cooker to soak up the juices.
  8. Serve the barbacoa warm in tacos, burritos, or over rice, garnished with cilantro and onions as desired.

Notes

Allow the beef to rest before shredding to retain moisture. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.