Crock Pot Barbacoa Tacos

Crock Pot Barbacoa Tacos is one of my favorite things to serve at parties! This easy, make-ahead friendly recipe makes a huge batch of barbacoa that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or freezing for multiple meals.

This post is sponsored by Ohio Beef. As always, all opinions are my own.

Four corn barbacoa tacos in a small cast iron skillet/

Slow Cooker Barbacoa Tacos for a Crowd

With busy school nights on the horizon, quick and easy dinner recipes are at a premium. A few years ago, I shared how we get three meals out of one giant batch of Slow Cooker Pulled Beef. That post is still one of our most popular, which shouldnโ€™t come as a surprise. Who doesnโ€™t love getting three dinners out of one recipe?

Today, Iโ€™m coming at you with a new addition to this big-batch cooking strategy: Crock Pot Barbacoa Beef.

Youโ€™ve probably heard of barbacoa before (thanks Chipotle!), and it might even be your go-to taco order at your favorite Mexican restaurant. Now, with the help of your slow cooker, you can bring all that spicy, tender, fiery shredded beef to your own dining room table.

A few things to note before we dive in:

  • This is not quite a Copy Cat Chipotle Barbacoa recipe. The flavors arenโ€™t exact, but I actually like this recipe better. Itโ€™s a bit spicier and has a more complex flavor.
  • This is a big batch recipe that makes a whole lot of barbacoa. Itโ€™s a great choice for parties, tailgating, and potlucks, or you can make it for a family of four and get 3 meals out of it. More on that (as well as tips for freezing!) below!
  • Because itโ€™s a big batch recipe, youโ€™ll need a big crock pot to make it. I recommend this 6 quart slow cooker, but any 6 quart or larger machine will do.

Today, weโ€™ll be making a big batch of Barbacoa Tacos, but youโ€™ll also have plenty of leftovers to try in Mexican Beef Stew, Skillet Nachos, or Shredded Beef Enchiladas!

Wooden spoon scooping barbacoa out of a slow cooker.

What is barbacoa?

Barbacoa is a type of meat (usually lamb, beef, or goat) which is traditionally prepared in an underground oven and cooked until the meat is very juicy and fall-apart tender.

There is not a single โ€œauthenticโ€ barbacoa recipe. Variations of this dish can be found throughout Mexico and the Caribbean, each using their own unique blend of vegetables, chiles, herbs, and spices to create a rich, flavorful meat to serve in tacos, burritos, flautas, or soups.

I wasnโ€™t quite ready to dig up my backyard to cook barbacoa in the traditional sense, but the low and slow heat of a crock pot is the next big thing.

Key Ingredients

Ingredients for barbacoa beef on a light blue background- chuck roasts, salt, cumin and clove, lime, red onion, beef broth, cilantro, apple cider, chipotles in adobo.

The marinade for barbacoa is a complex mixture of smoky heat, tangy citrus, and warm spices. Hereโ€™s what youโ€™ll need to make it:

  • Canned chipotle peppers in adobo– Many barbacoa recipes use dried chilies, but I love the ease and smoky heat of chipotle peppers in adobo. My recipe calls for a full can, but if you want to make it more mild, only use a half a can.
  • Apple cider vinegar– This adds the tang that keeps things interesting.
  • Lime juice– Weโ€™ll use the juice of four whole limes to add notes of fresh, puckery citrus.
  • Garlic– A WHOLE HEAD OF IT.
  • Cumin, clove, and oregano– Cumin is a grounding spice, adding depth and roundness, while clove adds an unexpected warmth.
  • Cilantro– With so many rich, warm flavors, cilantro adds a welcome brightness to the blend.
  • Bay leaves– A classic for stews and soups, bay leaves add a subtle bitterness.
  • Beef broth– I almost exclusively use Better than Boullionโ€™s beef broth concentrate. It tastes great, and takes up minimal space in the fridge so I always have it on hand.

What type of beef is best for barbacoa?

As mentioned earlier, traditional barbacoa can be made with many different kinds of meats, but I prefer to use beef. Itโ€™s more readily available and affordable than other meats, plus it tastes delicious! Beef is also a great source of protein and B vitamins, both of which improve focus and offer sustained energy for busy kids (and adults!)

You can use either brisket or chuck roast to make barbacoa, but I usually use roast. This recipe calls for 5-7 pounds of meat, so youโ€™ll need two 2-3 lb. roasts to make this recipe.

How to Make Barbacoa in the Slow Cooker

Make the sauce:

Blend. In a blender or food processor, combine the chipotle peppers, cilantro, red onion, garlic, lime juice, vinegar, cloves, cumin, salt and pepper. Blend until the mixture is smooth.

Layer. Pour the sauce on the bottom of the crock pot and place the roast on top. Add bay leaves and pour beef broth over the roasts to cover.

Cook. Cook the mixture on high heat for 5-6 hours or low heat for 8-10. The longer you can cook it, the better. The meat should be very tender and shred easily when itโ€™s done.

Shred. Remove the meat from the crock pot and place it on a cutting board. Shred with two forks, then return the meat back to the slow cooker. Keep the slow cooker on warm until ready to serve.

Easy Barbacoa Tacos

Once your barbacoa is made, the possibilities for eating it are endless.

On the first night, we usually keep things simple and make barbacoa tacos.

I prefer to make street style tacos, which are made with warm corn tortillas and topped simply with onion, cilantro, queso fresco and a squeeze of lime.

TIP: My favorite way to warm corn tortillas is to use tongs to hold them directly over a gas flame until theyโ€™re charred on the edges. You can also place them in a very hot, dry cast iron skillet until browned.

Crock Pot Barbacoa Tacos in a cast iron skillet with lime wedges.

Other great topping options for tacos include:

  • Fresh or pickled jalapenos
  • Sliced radishes
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Salsa

More Leftover Barbacoa Recipes

Tired of tacos? Use leftover barbacoa to make Burrito Bowls!

You can also sub barbacoa for the meat in this Ground Beef Taco Salad or Ground Beef Quesadillas.

Try tossing it in an Mexican Breakfast Burrito, or use it to make incredible Pulled Beef Sliders.

Need even more beef recipes? Visit OhioBeef.org to get a plethora of tasty recipes and nutrition information for you and your family.

Barbacoa beef tacos topped with cilantro, chopped onions, and queso fresco.

Save Time with Make Ahead and Freezer Tips

Make Ahead Instructions:

Prepare the marinade up to 2 days in advance, then simply add it to the crock pot with the beef and broth when youโ€™re ready to cook.

Cooked barbacoa can be refrigerated then reheated in the microwave, stove top, or slow cooker. I love to do this for parties! Itโ€™s easy to throw everything in the slow cooker the morning of a tailgating party, set it on low, and then keep it warm until whenever folks are ready to eat.

How to Store and Freeze Barbacoa

  • To store: Leftover barbacoa should be stored in a sealed container in the fridge with some of the juices. It will keep for 4-5 days.
  • For soup: If youโ€™re making a soup, pour the leftover juices into a large container and refrigerate overnight. Skim the fat off the top of the liquid before using it as a base for a rich Mexican Beef Stew.
  • To freeze: Place cooked and cooled barbacoa in a sealed container or baggie. Freeze for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge then reheat as normal.
Hand squeeing lime onto barbacoa tacos.
Four corn barbacoa tacos in a small cast iron skillet/

Crock Pot Barbacoa Tacos

Yield: 20 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes

This big batch of crock pot barbacoa is perfect for parties! Use it to make barbacoa tacos, nachos, burritos, bowls, and more!

Ingredients

For the barbacoa:

  • 1 (7.5 oz) can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (use 1/2 a can for less heat)
  • 1 bunch cilantro, long stems removed
  • 1 red onion, peeled and cut into large chunks
  • 1 head of garlic, peeled
  • Juice of 4 limes
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • ยฝ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
  • 5 dry bay leaves
  • 5 to 7 pounds beef chuck roast
  • 4 to 6 cups beef broth

For the tacos:

  • Corn tortillas
  • Diced onion
  • Cilantro
  • Queso fresco
  • Lime

Instructions

For the barbacoa:

  1. In a blender, combine the chipotle peppers, cilantro, onion, garlic, lime juice, vinegar, cloves, cumin, oregano, pepper, and salt. Blend until smooth.
  2. Pour the sauce into the bottom of a large (6 quart+) slow cooker. Layer the chuck roast (or roasts) on top. Top with bay leaves. Pour the beef broth over all, enough to cover.
  3. Cook the beef on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours. The longer you can cook it, the better. The meat should be very tender and shred easily when it’s done. Remove the roasts from the crock pot and place on a cutting board. Shred with two forks, then return to the crock pot to keep warm.


For the tacos:

  1. To warm the tortillas, use tongs to place them directly over a gas flame. Turn after about 1 minute, allowing a few charred spots to develop on each side. Alternatively, place them in a very hot, dry cast iron skillet, flipping after 1 minute. Remove to a plate and cover to keep warm.
  2. Load individual tacos with the barbacoa, then top with diced onion, chopped cilantro, and crumbled queso fresco. Serve with a squeeze of lime. If desired double up the corn tortillas so they don't break apart as easily.

Notes

For leftover, storage, and freezing instructions see the post above.

Recommended Products

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 437

Please note nutritional information for my recipes is calculated by a third party service and provided as a courtesy to my readers. For the most accurate calculation, I always recommend running the numbers yourself with the specific products you use.

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9 Comments

  1. I have made this for a party of 30 and smaller portions for my family of 4. Every single time it turns out great. I have even added short ribs in with the chuck roast. I have changed toppings and tortilla styles. Great recipe. Thank you for sharing and I will leave in my rotation.

    1. A sirloin tip roast is a pretty lean cut, so I wouldn’t recommend it for these tacos. Generally, you’ll want a roast with a good amount of marbling (fat).

  2. This is a fabulous recipe that I have made repeatedly. If I have it, I use my own homemade beef bone broth. The liquid gold that is left behind makes a wonderful base for chili or baked brown rice.

  3. Have to come back, again and just say this is one of my FAVORITE recipes! Itโ€™s sooooo good! I am craving it and need to make it again. However, I was wondering have you ever used the marinade on the beef and let it sit overnight? What about using a different protein? Like chicken or pork? Thanks for sharing your recipes! Your chocolate bundt cake is another all time favorite too!

    1. I’m so glad you enjoy the crock pot barbacoa! You can definitely marinate the beef overnight if you prefer. I haven’t tried the marinade on other meats, but it’d be worth a shot!

  4. This is sooooo good! Makes a ton! Flavors are great. I prob will use less beef broth next time. Thanks for the recipe!

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