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🌮 Barbacoa Crock Pot Recipe

This Crock Pot Barbacoa is slow-cooked beef infused with smoky chipotle peppers, garlic, and warm spices. The result is juicy, fall-apart meat with bold Mexican flavor — just like your favorite restaurant, but made effortlessly at home.
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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef:

  • 3–4 lbs beef chuck roast
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Barbacoa Sauce:

  • 3–4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • ¼ cup adobo sauce (from the can)
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp ground cloves
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt

Method
 

  1. 1️⃣ Sear the Beef (Optional but Recommended)

    Season chuck roast generously with salt and pepper.Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear on all sides until browned (2–3 minutes per side).

  2. 2️⃣ Make the Sauce

    In a blender, combine all barbacoa sauce ingredients.Blend until smooth.

  3. 3️⃣ Slow Cook

    Place beef in the crock pot.Pour sauce over the meat. Cover and cook:
    LOW: 8–9 hours
    HIGH: 4–5 hours
    Until beef is fork-tender.

  4. 4️⃣ Shred & Serve

    Remove beef and shred with two forks.Return shredded beef to the crock pot and stir into the sauce.Cook on LOW for 15–20 minutes more to soak up flavor.

Notes

👨‍🍳 Tips for the Best Barbacoa

  • Chuck roast gives the best texture and flavor
  • For less heat, reduce chipotle peppers
  • Add a splash of orange juice for subtle sweetness
  • Stores beautifully — perfect for meal prep