Kurut with dried dill, served with fresh parsley Rehydrated Kurut Dip with Dill & Olive Oil Saucy Galbi served with sesame seeds and cilantro Braised Short Ribs (Galbi-jjim Style) Freshly baked pumpkin seed biscuits Roasted Pumpkin Seed Biscuits Spiced Honey Cake served Spiced Honey Cake Chocolate lava cake with gooey center Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes Roasted sausage served with mustard Oven-Roasted Sausages with Mustard Fideuà with cuttlefish served, garnished with fresh parsley Seafood Pasta with Cuttlefish (Fideuà) Haleem with vegetables served, rich, thick and spicy dish Vegetable Haleem Stew Blue cheese croissants served Blue Cheese Croissants Chocolate cream cake with chocolate glaze Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake Tinda dahi with yogurt and cilantro, garnished with fresh lime leaf Creamy Yogurt Curried Squash (Tinda Masala) Spicy Biltong with lime slices and cilantro Spicy Biltong Salad with Lime Martabak Manis with condensed milk, chocolate, and banana Indonesian Sweet Pancake (Martabak Manis) Spicy Shakshuka with eggs and vegetables. Spicy Turkish Vegetable Shakshuka (Şakşuka) Frikadeller served with brown gravy and fresh parsley Danish Pork Meatballs (Frikadeller) with Gravy Creamy cauliflower and swiss chard soup served in a bowl Creamy Cauliflower & Swiss Chard Soup Strawberry cheesecake crepes plated Strawberry Cheesecake Crepes Oopsie bread low carb cloud bread fresh from the oven Oopsie Bread - Low Carb Cloud Bread Beef and yuba stir-fry with soy sauce and vegetables Beef & Yuba Stir-Fry Zeppole filled with sour cherry jam and dusted with sugar Sour Cherry Filled Italian Donuts Kurut with dried dill, served with fresh parsley Rehydrated Kurut Dip with Dill & Olive Oil Saucy Galbi served with sesame seeds and cilantro Braised Short Ribs (Galbi-jjim Style) Freshly baked pumpkin seed biscuits Roasted Pumpkin Seed Biscuits Spiced Honey Cake served Spiced Honey Cake Chocolate lava cake with gooey center Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes Roasted sausage served with mustard Oven-Roasted Sausages with Mustard Fideuà with cuttlefish served, garnished with fresh parsley Seafood Pasta with Cuttlefish (Fideuà) Haleem with vegetables served, rich, thick and spicy dish Vegetable Haleem Stew Blue cheese croissants served Blue Cheese Croissants Chocolate cream cake with chocolate glaze Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake Tinda dahi with yogurt and cilantro, garnished with fresh lime leaf Creamy Yogurt Curried Squash (Tinda Masala) Spicy Biltong with lime slices and cilantro Spicy Biltong Salad with Lime Martabak Manis with condensed milk, chocolate, and banana Indonesian Sweet Pancake (Martabak Manis) Spicy Shakshuka with eggs and vegetables. Spicy Turkish Vegetable Shakshuka (Şakşuka) Frikadeller served with brown gravy and fresh parsley Danish Pork Meatballs (Frikadeller) with Gravy Creamy cauliflower and swiss chard soup served in a bowl Creamy Cauliflower & Swiss Chard Soup Strawberry cheesecake crepes plated Strawberry Cheesecake Crepes Oopsie bread low carb cloud bread fresh from the oven Oopsie Bread - Low Carb Cloud Bread Beef and yuba stir-fry with soy sauce and vegetables Beef & Yuba Stir-Fry Zeppole filled with sour cherry jam and dusted with sugar Sour Cherry Filled Italian Donuts
Barbacoa served with tortillas and lime slices
Authentic Mexican Barbacoa with tender beef

Slow-Cooker Beef Barbacoa

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses
Barbacoa shouldn't be confused with BBQ, though they share roots. This Mexican technique involves steaming tough, collagen-rich cuts (like cheek or brisket). Originally cooked in earth ovens wrapped in agave leaves, our version uses vinegar and slow cooking to do the work: acids loosen the fibers while long heat turns connective tissue into gelatin, making the meat juicy and shreddable.
🕒 Prep Time 20 mins
🍳 Cook Time 8 hrs
⌛ Total Time 8 hrs 20 mins
🍽️ Servings 6 servings
🔥 Calories 460 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Mexican

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Slow Cooker or Dutch Oven
  • Blender

Instructions

1 ✓

Cut the beef into large 2-inch chunks, season with salt and pepper, and quickly sear in a skillet to brown.

Tip: Although many recipes say raw is fine, searing (Maillard reaction) deepens the meaty flavor.
2 ✓

Blend the chipotles, onion, garlic, spices (except bay leaves), vinegar, and broth until smooth.

Tip: This marinade not only flavors but creates an acidic environment for tenderizing.
3 ✓

Place the meat in the slow cooker (or Dutch oven), pour the sauce over it, and toss in the bay leaves.

Tip: The liquid should partially cover the meat.
4 ✓

Cook on Low for 8 hours (or in oven at 285°F / 140°C for 4-5 hours).

Tip: It's done when a fork slides into the meat with no resistance.
5 ✓

Remove the meat, shred with two forks, then toss back into the juices.

Tip: The meat fibers will soak up the spicy juices at this stage.
6 ✓

Serve on warm tortillas, drizzled with fresh lime juice.

Tip: The freshness of the lime lifts the heavy, fatty meat.

Recipe FAQ

Can I substitute chipotle?
Chipotle is smoked jalapeño, giving that 'earth oven' flavor. Smoked paprika can substitute, but the flavor won't be the same.
Why isn't it tender?
You didn't cook it long enough. Collagen needs time (min. 4-6 hours) to break down. Be patient!

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs Beef Brisket or Chuck Roast (fatty cut)
  • 3 whole Chipotle Peppers in Adobo
  • 1 whole Onion
  • 5 cloves Garlic
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano (Mexican if possible)
  • 2 whole Cloves
  • 0.25 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 0.5 cup Beef Broth
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • 2 leaves Bay Leaves
  • 1 whole Lime