Slow-Cooked Beef Barbacoa with Chipotle and Citrus

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender shredded beef slow-cooked in a smoky chipotle and citrus marinade, perfect for tacos or burritos celebrating Cinco de Mayo. This mexican-inspired cinco de mayo ready in about 500 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a blender, combine 3 chipotle peppers with 2 tbsp adobo sauce, 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp white vinegar, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Blend until smooth.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown 2 lbs beef chuck roast chunks on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  3. Step 3: Transfer browned beef to a slow cooker. Pour the chipotle-citrus marinade over the beef, add 2 bay leaves and 1 cup water.
  4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until beef is tender and easily shredded.
  5. Step 5: Remove beef from slow cooker and shred with two forks, discarding bay leaves. Return shredded beef to the sauce and stir to coat well.
  6. Step 6: Serve hot with warm tortillas, chopped onions, cilantro, and lime wedges for an authentic Cinco de Mayo meal.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Barbacoa with Chipotle and Citrus 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 Citrus?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef chuck roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Barbacoa with Chipotle and Citrus?

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 Citrus 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 Citrus?

Mexican cinco de mayo 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.

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