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Braised Beef Barbacoa Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 72 reviews

This Braised Beef Barbacoa is a richly flavored, slow-cooked Mexican-inspired dish featuring tender beef chuck roast simmered with aromatic spices, chipotle peppers, and smoky undertones. Perfect for bowls, tacos, burritos, or nachos, it offers a versatile and comforting meal bursting with bold, smoky, and tangy flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Seasoning

  • 3 lb beef chuck roast, fat trimmed & cut into 3-inch chunks
  • Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to season
  • 2–3 tablespoons olive oil, for browning

Flavor Base

  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 (4-ounce) can fire-roasted diced green chiles
  • 10 cloves garlic (crushed) or 2 tablespoons garlic paste
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon dried Mexican oregano (or regular oregano)
  • 1 tablespoon Ancho chili pepper powder (or dark chili powder)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 teaspoons hickory liquid smoke
  • 2 bay leaves

Liquids and Peppers

  • 1 cup Mexican-style beer (Modelo recommended) or beef broth
  • 3–4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • ⅓ cup water (for blending chipotle peppers)

Finishing and Serving

  • ½ cup fresh chopped cilantro, to finish, plus more for serving
  • Rice of choice
  • Chopped iceberg or romaine lettuce
  • Black or pinto beans
  • Salsa, guacamole, lime wedges, and sliced jalapeños, as desired

Instructions

  1. Season & Rest the Beef: Generously season the 3-inch beef chuck roast chunks on all sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the beef on a large plate or medium-rimmed baking sheet and let it rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to ensure even cooking.
  2. Brown the Chuck Roast: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, swirl the oil to coat the bottom evenly. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, sear the beef chunks for 2-3 minutes on each side until a deep brown crust forms. Transfer the browned beef to a clean dish and repeat until all beef is browned, adding the additional tablespoon of oil if necessary.
  3. Assemble the Braise: Transfer all browned beef into your slow cooker vessel. Add chopped onion, fire-roasted diced green chiles, crushed garlic or garlic paste, fresh lime juice, apple cider vinegar, dark brown sugar, ground cumin, dried oregano, Ancho chili powder, ground cloves, hickory liquid smoke, bay leaves, and Mexican beer or beef broth. In a high-speed blender or food processor, blend chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with ⅓ cup water until smooth. Pour the chipotle liquid into the slow cooker and gently stir all ingredients to combine thoroughly.
  4. Slow-Cook the Beef Barbacoa: Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on low heat for 6 hours or on high heat for 4 hours, until the beef is fully cooked and fall-apart tender.
  5. Shred the Beef: Once cooked, either shred the beef directly in the slow cooker using two forks or remove it to a large plate or baking sheet and shred it manually. Stir the shredded beef into the braising liquid so it is well coated. Mix in ½ cup of fresh chopped cilantro to finish.
  6. Serve: Enjoy the braised beef barbacoa served bowl-style with rice, lettuce, black or pinto beans, salsa, guacamole or sliced avocado, and sliced jalapeños. Garnish with extra chopped cilantro and lime wedges if desired. It can also be used for tacos, burritos, or nachos to your preference.

Notes

  • Resting the seasoned beef at room temperature allows for more even cooking and better searing.
  • Brown the beef in batches to avoid steaming and ensure a rich crust forms for deeper flavor.
  • The chipotle peppers add smoky heat; adjust the quantity to suit your spice tolerance.
  • If you do not have a slow cooker, this can also be cooked low and slow in a heavy pot or Dutch oven in the oven at 300°F for 3-4 hours.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days and freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.
  • Serve with fresh toppings like cilantro, lime, and guacamole to brighten the rich flavors.

Keywords: Braised beef barbacoa, slow cooker beef, chipotle beef, Mexican beef recipe, beef chuck roast, spicy shredded beef, barbacoa tacos, easy beef barbacoa

Find it online: https://dylangranv.com/braised-beef-barbacoa-recipe/