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Tender Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa Recipe Easy Chipotle Adobo and Lime

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A comforting slow cooker beef barbacoa with smoky chipotle adobo and fresh lime juice, delivering tender, shreddable beef perfect for tacos, bowls, or nachos.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 pounds beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat
  • 2 to 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce plus 2 tbsp sauce
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • Juice from 2 fresh limes
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for searing)

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef chuck roast dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, pepper, 2 tsp cumin, and 1 tsp oregano.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the roast on all sides, about 4 minutes per side (optional but recommended).
  3. In a blender or food processor, combine 2 to 3 chipotle peppers in adobo, 2 tbsp of the sauce, minced garlic, chopped onion, lime juice, beef broth, and apple cider vinegar. Blend until smooth and pourable.
  4. Transfer the seared roast to the slow cooker. Pour the chipotle adobo-lime sauce evenly over the beef. Tuck in 2 bay leaves.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 5 to 6 hours until the beef is fork-tender and shreds easily.
  6. Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Discard the bay leaves.
  7. Return shredded beef to the slow cooker and stir to coat with the sauce. Warm through on low for 10 to 15 minutes.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or more lime juice if needed before serving.

Notes

Searing the beef before slow cooking adds flavor but is optional. Use fresh lime juice for best brightness. Adjust chipotle peppers to control heat. If sauce is too thin after shredding, cook uncovered on high for 20-30 minutes to reduce. Leftovers taste better after a day or two. Store beef and toppings separately for freshness.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef barbacoa, slow cooker beef, chipotle adobo, lime, slow cooker recipe, Tex-Mex, shredded beef, easy dinner

Find it online: https://evabake.com/tender-slow-cooker-beef-barbacoa-recipe-easy-chipotle-adobo-and-lime/