This recipe for Slow Cooker Barbacoa Tacos is cooked in the slow cooker all day to make the perfect tender, juicy, and spicy taco. Easy to make and so delicious.
![slow cooker barbacoa tacos](https://kidfriendlythingstodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/DSC_0143-2.jpg-barbacoa-tacos-with-sour-cream-vertical.jpg)
Slow Cooker Barbacoa Tacos
These barbacoa tacos are a family favorite. The boys, especially, ask for them at least once a week. They are easy to make, so I’m happy to oblige.
What I Love About This Recipe:
- a slow cooker recipe that cooks up tender and delicious every time
- always a hit with friends and family
- perfect for taco night
FAQs
What is Barbacoa?
Barbacoa is a meat that is usually slow-roasted in a spicy sauce. The meat is typically goat, lamb, or beef. Then the beef is served in tacos, burritos, or over a salad
Make Ahead and Storage:
Can I Make Barbacoa Tacos in Advance?
Yes! This is a great recipe to make in advance because the longer it sits in the juices the more flavor it will take on.
Reheating: Reheat meat in its’ juices in a covered saucepan on the stovetop until heated through
Can I Freeze Barbacoa Meat?
Yes! Once the meat has cooled, place it in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months
Thawing: You can thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, in a slow cooker on low (with the lid on), or in a covered saucepan on low heat until heated through
What Kind of Tortilla Should Barbacoa Tacos be Served on?
I prefer a corn tortilla, but you can also use flour tortillas. It’s really a matter of preference
How do you Shape Corn Tortillas into Taco Shells?
I like to first, preheat the oven to around 350 degrees. Then, I set them across 2 slats of my oven rack so they hang down on either side. I then bake them for about 5 minutes. They are ready when your tongs can lift them up and they still hold their shape.
Another tip: for crunchy corn tacos, spray the tortillas with cooking oil before baking
Do I Have to Add the Chipotle Peppers? They seem really spicy
No. I have made this without the peppers, and it is still delicious. For an alternative to the hot peppers, you can add 2-3 Tbsp. of ground chili powder
What Should I Serve with Barbacoa Tacos?
- black beans
- pico-de-gallo
- fresh cilantro
- sliced radishes
- sour cream
- Spanish rice
- guacamole
- Mexican Cornbread
- Mango guacamole
![beef barbacoa tacos](https://kidfriendlythingstodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/DSC_0136-3.jpg-barbacoa-tacos-vertical-no-sour-cream.jpg)
Tips and Tricks:
- use my method above to shape corn tortillas into shaped taco shells
- cooking this barbacoa low and slow for about 8-9 hours, but you can still speed up the process by turning your slow cooker to high and cooking it for about 4-5 hours
- you can substitute liquid beef broth for the water and bouillon cubes – you’ll need 2 cups
- if the chipotle peppers are too spicy, then substitute chili powder for a milder flavor (about 3 Tbsp.)
![barbacoa tacos in the slow cooker](https://kidfriendlythingstodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Blank-564-x-1208-80.jpg-barbacoa-slow-cooker-collage-kfttd.jpg)
If you are ready to make this delicious Barbacoa Beef, then let’s make sure you have everything you need:
Ingredients…
- chuck roast – cut into 2-inch slabs. This particular roast is preferred because of the marbling and tender quality of the cut
- salt – table salt is all you need for this recipe
- ground black pepper
- water – this is to make a beef broth with the bouillon cubes. If you have beef broth liquid already, then you can omit this and the cubes. Use 2 cups of beef broth
- beef bouillon cubes – the cubes are used to make a beef broth when combined with the hot water in the slow cooker. If you already have beef broth, then you can leave the water and cubes out and just use 2 cups of broth, instead
- garlic powder – to add flavor
- onion powder – used to add flavor
- mustard powder – this adds a little kick and deepens the flavor
- bay leaves – when bay leaves simmer and break down, their flavor enhances the other flavors already present
- cumin – a common Mexican spice
- lime juice – for tang
- chipotle in adobe sauce – this adds a lot of spice to this dish and gives it a nice kick
How do you make Barbacoa Tacos?
Instructions:
- In a slow cooker, add the chuck roast beef, spices, broth, bay leaves, lime juice, and cumin
- Cover the slow cooker and place it on low for 7-8 hours (occasionally stirring the flavors to make sure they are blended well)
- Remove beef and shred
- Spoon some juices out and place in a container to serve with beef tacos
- Place the beef back in the juice that is left in the slow cooker
- Serve on warm tortilla shells with toppings
More Mexican Dishes
Ground Beef and Corn Mexican Casserole with Jiffy
![barbacoa beef tacos](https://kidfriendlythingstodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/DSC_0133-1.jpg-barbacoa-tacos-feature-sq-kfttd.jpg)
Slow Cooker Barbacoa Tacos
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. chuck roast – cut into 2-3 inch wide sections
- 2 cups water
- 2 bouillon cubes beef
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- 3 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. mustard powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- ½ tsp. ground cumin powder
- 5 bay leaves
- 2 Tbsp. lime juice
- 7 oz. chipotle in adobe sauce – *note – this makes these tacos spicy. If you do not like spicy flavors. Feel free to omit this ingredient (an alternative spice: consider adding some chili powder for less of a kick)
Instructions
- Place the slabs of beef in your slow cooker
- add liquid and bouillon cubes
- mix spices in a small bowl and shake over the liquid and beef
- pour in the lime juice
- add your bay leaves
- spoon out the chipotle and adobe sauce
- close the lid and set on low
- cook for 7-8 hours (beef should be tender enough to pull apart with a fork)
- remove bay leaves
- take out the beef and shred it
- spoon out some of the juice so you have it to serve with the tacos
- place shredded beef back into the remaining juices
- serve over warm tortilla shells with your favorite taco toppings
Notes
For a less spicy taco:
- Do not add the chipotle peppers in adobe sauce
- An alternative for a little bit of spice, but not so hot – 2-3 Tbsp. of ground chili powder
Can I Make Barbacoa Tacos in Advance?
Yes! This is a great recipe to make in advance because the longer it sits in the juices the more flavor it will take on. Reheating: Reheat meat in its’ juices in a covered saucepan on the stovetop until heated throughCan I Freeze Barbacoa Meat?
Yes! Once the meat has cooled, place it in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months Thawing: You can thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, in a slow cooker on low (with the lid on), or in a covered saucepan on low heat until heated throughWhat Kind of Tortilla Should Barbacoa Tacos be Served on?
I prefer a corn tortilla, but you can also use flour tortillas. It’s really a matter of preferenceHow do you Shape Corn Tortillas into Taco Shells?
I like to first, preheat the oven to around 350 degrees. Then, I set them across 2 slats of my oven rack so they hang down on either side. I then bake them for about 5 minutes. They are ready when your tongs can lift them up and they still hold their shape. Another tip: for crunchy corn tacos, spray the tortillas with cooking oil before bakingWhat Should I Serve with Barbacoa Tacos?
- black beans
- pico-de-gallo
- fresh cilantro
- sliced radishes
- sour cream
- Spanish rice
- guacamole
Tips and Tricks:
- use my method above to shape corn tortillas into shaped taco shells
- cooking this barbacoa low and slow for about 8-9 hours, but you can still speed up the process by turning your slow cooker to high and cooking it for about 4-5 hours
- you can substitute liquid beef broth for the water and bouillon cubes – you’ll need 2 cups
- if the chipotle peppers are too spicy, then substitute chili powder for a milder flavor (about 3 Tbsp.)