Get ready to transform your ordinary dinner into a mouthwatering Mexican feast that will have everyone begging for seconds! This Crockpot Spicy Barbacoa Beef is not just a recipe – it's a culinary journey that brings the bold, smoky flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine right into your kitchen. With minimal prep time and maximum flavor, this tender, spicy beef will become your new go-to comfort food that's perfect for family dinners, game day, or any time you're craving something absolutely irresistible.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 8 hrs
Total Time: 8 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- Beef chuck roast
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- Garlic, minced
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Lime juice
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from the beef chuck roast and place it in the crockpot.
- In a food processor or blender, combine chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced garlic, ground cumin, dried oregano, fresh lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Blend until you have a smooth, consistent marinade.
- Pour the marinade evenly over the beef chuck roast, ensuring the meat is completely coated on all sides.
- Cover the crockpot and set to low heat. Cook for 8 hours, allowing the beef to become tender and easily shredded.
- After 8 hours, remove the beef from the crockpot and use two forks to shred the meat, discarding any large pieces of fat.
- Return the shredded beef to the crockpot and mix with the remaining cooking liquid to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Serve hot in tortillas, over rice, or as a filling for tacos, burritos, or nachos. Garnish with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and lime wedges if desired.
Tips
- Choose the Right Cut: Select a well-marbled chuck roast for maximum tenderness and flavor. The fat will help keep the meat moist during the long, slow cooking process.
- Blend Your Marinade Thoroughly: Ensure all marinade ingredients are smoothly blended to distribute the chipotle peppers and spices evenly.
- Don't Rush the Cooking: The 8-hour slow cook is crucial for breaking down the meat's tough connective tissues, creating that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Skim the Fat: After cooking, you can remove excess fat from the top of the cooking liquid for a leaner dish.
- Make Ahead Friendly: This barbacoa beef actually tastes even better the next day, so it's perfect for meal prep or leftovers.
- Customize Your Heat: Adjust the number of chipotle peppers to control the spice level – remove seeds for less heat, add more for extra kick.
- Serving Suggestions: While fantastic in tacos, this versatile beef also works great in quesadillas, salads, or as a topping for nachos.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
