Just like Chipotle! This Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa is slowly cooked to a tender state creating a perfect shredded meat for your tacos or burrito bowls.
We love us some Chipotle. Unfortunately, there is not ONE in the entire state of Mississippi. We had locations nearby during our six years in Chicago and the two years we spent in Southern California — we took it for granted. Now that we have none, I have to resort to making my own at home.
If you love shredded beef tacos or burritos, you will absolutely love this. Tender flavorful meat is the result of this slow cooker recipe. We’ve done tacos, we’ve done burrito bowls. Each time, though, I find myself picking at the meat solo because I love its taste alone.
Chipotle holds a special place in my heart because Ben introduced it to me for the first time in Baltimore before we were even dating. I should’ve known at that moment he had great taste! 😉

- 1 large onion , peeled and chopped
- 4 garlic cloves , pressed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 2 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 pounds chuck roast
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 bay leaves
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Place the chopped onions on the bottom of a slow cooker bowl. In a small bowl, combine the garlic, ground cloves, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper. Rub the spice mixture over the surface of the meat. Place the meat on top of the onions in the slow cooker (make sure to dump in all of the spice mixture that may have fallen off the meat).
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Pour the broth, lime juice and apple cider vinegar into the slow cooker bowl. Add the bay leaves. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. When done, transfer the meat to a large platter and shred, discarding fatty pieces. Discard the bay leaves. Add the shredded beef back into the slow cooker and toss with the liquid and onions. Serve warm in tacos or burrito bowls or any Mexican feast!
We love making Chipotle-esque meals at home. This barbacoa looks amazing! Perfect for busy nights after school.
Can’t wait to try this next week!! yay! Thanks, Nikki.
I think you’ll love it, Lise!
This recipe is fantastic! I made it again last night and I felt like I was eating at a restaurant–at my own table!
Thanks again!
That’s awesome, Lise! Thank you for letting me know! 🙂
I’m soooo into my Slow Cooker at the moment and have made some rippers lately. This beef dish looks delicious. I have pinned it to remind me to make it when we get home from the hols. Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks, Emma! Hope you liked it! I’m totally into my slow cooker, too! 🙂
this looks AWESOME. I love chipotle so i’ll have to try this ASAP – as a healthier (? I assume because it’s homemade hahahah) alternative that won’t kill my wallet 😉
Ha! Yes, homemade = healthier, always, right? 😉 Definitely like not having to spend the cash on it, too.
This is to die for!! And don’t get me wrong, I love me some “Chipoodle” as much as the next girl, but I can’t afford to binge too often, I’d much rather make this beauty at home!!
“Chipoodle”… hehehehe! Xoxo!
My all time favorite !
Marvelous recipe! I wasn’t sure about the cloves, but it totally worked. My husband loved it last night, and he just texted to tell me how good it was for lunch today!
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Julie! I’m glad he’s already enjoying the leftovers, too! 🙂