Slow-Cooked Beef Barbacoa with Chipotle and Adobo
Tender, slow-cooked beef infused with smoky chipotle and adobo flavors, perfect for tacos or burritos. This mexican-inspired beef ready in about 500 minutes turns cut into 3-inch chunks beef chuck roast, salt, black pepper into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs, cut into 3-inch chunks beef chuck roast
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 peppers minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 tbsp adobo sauce
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 large diced white onion
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp lime juice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 3 lbs beef chuck roast chunks with 1 tbsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper evenly.
- Step 2: In a slow cooker, combine 3 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 2 tbsp adobo sauce, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 large diced white onion, 1 1/2 cups beef broth, and 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine.
- Step 3: Add the seasoned beef chunks to the slow cooker and submerge in the sauce. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the beef is fork-tender and shreds easily.
- Step 4: Remove beef from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return shredded beef to the sauce and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lime juice. Serve hot in tacos, burritos, or bowls.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Barbacoa with Chipotle and Adobo take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow-Cooked Beef Barbacoa with Chipotle and Adobo?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Barbacoa with Chipotle and Adobo?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow-Cooked Beef Barbacoa with Chipotle and Adobo for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow-Cooked Beef Barbacoa with Chipotle and Adobo?
Mexican beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
