Slow Cooker Laredo-Style Beef Barbacoa

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

Tender, slow-cooked beef infused with smoky chipotle and tangy lime, perfect for tacos or burritos. This mexican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, beef broth, medium, diced white onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the 3 lbs beef chuck roast on all sides until browned, about 3 minutes per side, then transfer to a slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté 1 medium diced white onion and 4 minced garlic cloves for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in 3 chopped chipotle peppers, 2 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp dried oregano and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Step 3: Pour 1 cup beef broth into the skillet to deglaze, scraping up browned bits, then transfer the mixture over the beef in the slow cooker.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp fresh lime juice to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the beef shreds easily with a fork.
  5. Step 5: Remove beef from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return shredded beef to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the juices.
  6. Step 6: Serve garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, ideal for tacos or burritos.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Cooker Laredo-Style Beef Barbacoa take to make?

Total time is about 495 minutes (15 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 Cooker Laredo-Style Beef Barbacoa?

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 Cooker Laredo-Style Beef Barbacoa?

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 Cooker Laredo-Style Beef Barbacoa 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 Cooker Laredo-Style Beef Barbacoa?

Mexican slow cooker 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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