Barbacoa Recipe

We're making Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen today, my friends. Care to join? If you've never had beef barbacoa before, this is a recipe you'll want to print and save in your recipe box.

It's huge on flavor for my spice loving friends, and you can easily up the heat levels by adding spicy chili flakes, powders, or even fresh chili peppers into the mix.

What is Barbacoa?

Beef barbacoa is tender shredded beef that has been seasoned with ancho peppers and guajillo peppers along with chipotles in adobo sauce and other seasonings. The beef is cooked low and slow for hours in a slow cooker until it becomes so juicy and tender it melts in your mouth.

Barbacoa is a technique of cooking that originated in the Caribbean where meat is steam cooked low and slow in an underground oven until it becomes very tender.

It was adapted by Mexican and American cooks, usually to cook meat from cattle heads and other cuts of beef, goat or lamb. The technique has evolved to cooking meats with a crock pot, slow cooker or instant pot, or in a pot on the stove top. 

The word "barbacoa" translates to "barbecue" in English, though the two cooking method are quite different, which barbecuing done on a hot grill.

Let's talk about how to make barbacoa, shall we?

Beef Barbacoa Ingredients

• Beef. Use beef chuck roast or use beef brisket, sliced into 2 inch chunks.
• Peppers. Guajillo peppers, ancho peppers, and chipotles in adobo sauce (optional, for extra saucy and tangy-smoky flavor)
• Olive Oil. For cooking.
• Beef Stock. Or use beef broth.
• Apple Cider Vinegar.
• Lime Juice. 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup.
• Vegetables. Onion and Garlic.
• Seasonings. Mexican oregano, cumin, bay leaf, and salt and black pepper.

How to Make Beef Barbacoa - the Recipe Method

Rehydrate the Dried Peppers. Stem and seeds the ancho and guajillos, then also them in hot water for 15 minutes to soften.

Drain ,then add to a food processor with the chipotles in adobo sauce and a bit of salt. Process until smooth.

Rub the Beef. Add the beef chunks to a bowl. Add the ancho-guajillo paste and toss to even coat.

Brown the Meat. Heat the oil in a large cast iron pan to medium-high heat. Sear the beef chunks a few minutes per side to get a nice coating. Transfer to a slow cooker or crock pot.

Deglaze the Pan with beef broth, water or wine and scrape all of the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Pour it into the crock pot.

Add the remaining ingredients and cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours, or until the beef is fork tender.

I personally recommend cooking on LOW, as the beef will be more tender this way, though HIGH will save you time. Tender barbacoa is the best.

Shred and Serve!

Boom! Easy enough, isn't it? It is quite an easy recipe. It's really just some quick seasoning and searing, then waiting for the crock pot or slow cooker to do its job.

The only issue is smelling that wonderful slow cooked beef in the house, driving you crazy with hunger. The meat is super tender and flavorful. Perfect for my spicy foods lovers.

Best Meats for Barbacoa

Traditionally, barbacoa was made with meats from cattle head, such as the cheeks, or with lamb or goat in Mexican cooking.

Today we mostly use tougher cuts of beef that benefits from low and slow cooking to become tender and succulent.

Brisket is very popular, as is chuck roast, which is what I normally use.

Serving Ideas for Barbacoa

• You can't go wrong with barbacoa tacos. Use flour or corn tortillas and add your favorite toppings like black beans, fresh cilantro, guacamole, pico de gallo, salsa roja, so many options.
• Easy Beef Burrito Bowls. You'll love barbacoa for your huge burrito.
• Beef Sandwich. Add some cheese and your favorite fixins!
• Simple Salad. Toss the barbacoa with mixed greens and veggies and you're good to go!
• Nachos! Pile it onto a big plate of cheesy tortillas. Yes! Try it on these Classic Nachos.

Storage & Leftovers

Beef barbacoa will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Simply warm it in a pot or pan to enjoy again with a splash of oil. Add a splash of water to moisten it up, if needed.

You can also freeze it for 3 months or longer. It freezes nicely.

That's it, my friends! I hope you enjoy my beef barbacoa recipe. I love this recipe! Spicy shredded beef, anytime for me. They're super popular served up as barbacoa beef tacos. So good!

Want More Mexican Recipes?

If you enjoy barbacoa, you'll love these Birria Tacos or Quesabirria Tacos. They're fairly similar with big flavor.

Carne Asada is always popular, as are Beef Enchiladas or amazing Carnitas (Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos).

Try Some of My Other Popular Beef Recipes

• Ropa Vieja - Cuban Shredded Beef
• Mississippi Pot Roast
• Slow Cooker Pot Roast
• Braised Brisket with Ancho Gravy
• Spicy Beef Vindaloo Curry
• Pepper Steak
• Beef Rendang
• Tacos al Carbon