• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Learn how food affects your body. Get Free Nutrition Info Today

the-lean-green-bean-logo
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Kids
  • Resources
    • Ebooks
    • Food Prep
    • Videos
    • Snack Round-Ups
  • About
    • Become An RD
    • Work With Me
  • Search
the-lean-green-bean-logo
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Kids
  • Resources
    • Ebooks
    • Food Prep
    • Videos
    • Snack Round-Ups
  • About
    • Become An RD
    • Work With Me
  • Search

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef (Barbacoa)

May 7, 2018 by Lindsay 27 Comments

This Slow Cooker Shredded Beef is easy to make in the crockpot for dinner and tastes better than the Barbacoa at Chipotle. Perfect in burrito bowls, on salads, in enchiladas and more.

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef (Barbacoa)

*Originally published 11/2014. Photos and post updated 5/2018*

Hi Friends!

Allow me to introduce this Slow Cooker Shredded Beef. You might also know it as barbacoa if you get it at Chipotle or other restaurants. You guys have been asking for more slow cooker recipes so today I decided to revisit an old recipe that my friend Marisa shared as a guest post several years ago. Back when she shared this recipe, I was super excited about it…but I never actually made it myself.

A couple weeks ago I decided to change that! Whenever I make shredded meat at home, I tend to use pork or chicken…but hubby is a big beef fan and this recipe has some seasonings that I don’t typically use so I was excited to test it out. What I was not excited about was the fact that when I strategically went to the grocery store while I only had one kid, they didn’t have the cut of beef I needed. So then I had to go to a second grocery store after I picked up kid #2…which made it even more work. Nevertheless, we prevailed and came home with what we needed.

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef, similar to Chipotle Barbacoa

This sauce does require a food processor or blender, which is one extra step, but I think it’s totally worth the effort. It’s super easy to throw everything in and it added such great flavor to the meat.

I love having a big batch of shredded meat on hand that I can then use throughout the week to make various dishes like burrito bowls, nachos, taco salads, enchiladas, sandwich wraps and more.

Adding the peppers does give it a bit of zing so I didn’t give this batch to the kids but hubby and I are big fans of spicy food so we loved it! You can reduce the number of peppers you use to make it less spicy. And if you have extra peppers in your can like I did, I just froze mine in a ziploc bag to use in the future!

Here’s how you make it:

Print

Slow Cooker Barbacoa (Shredded Beef)

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef (Barbacoa)
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

This Slow Cooker Shredded Beef is easy to make in the crockpot for dinner and tastes better than the Barbacoa at Chipotle.

  • Author: Lindsay

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
  • 3/4 cup chopped white onion
  • 5 garlic cloves
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 pounds beef roast (i used chuck roast or you could use bottom round)
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

  1. In a food processor or blender, combine the 3 chipotle peppers (removed from the can with some adobo sauce), cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, the juice of one lime, and the apple cider vinegar. Blend until almost smooth.
  2. Place beef in slow cooker.
  3. Pour the homemade sauce on top. Add two cups of water.
  4. Cook on low for 8 hours.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

There you have it! Simple and delicious.

This Slow Cooker Shredded Beef is easy to make in the crockpot for dinner and tastes better than the Barbacoa at Chipotle. Perfect in burrito bowls, salads and enchiladas!

If you’re not familiar with Marisa’s blog, Uproot Kitchen, be sure to go check it out! She shares great recipes like Whole Wheat Banana Bread, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars and Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu with Polenta.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

table talk series
LEARN HOW FOOD AFFECTS YOUR BODY.

Get my free Table Talk email series where I share bite-sized nutrition information about carbs, protein, and fat, plus bonus information about snacks and sugar!

Enter your email here ...

Filed Under: Dinner, Slow Cooker Tagged With: Beef

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    November 20, 2014 at 1:44 AM

    looks delicious! crockpot meals are the best!

    Reply
  2. Lisa @ Life as Lisa Knows It says

    November 20, 2014 at 5:34 AM

    mmm mmm mmm! looks delicious!! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Jen @ Chase the Red Grape says

    November 20, 2014 at 5:48 AM

    This looks fab! Love crock pot meals!
    Is there anything else I could use instead of chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce as we don’t have this in the UK!

    Reply
    • Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon says

      November 20, 2014 at 9:48 AM

      Hi Jen! If you can find dried chipotle chiles, or dried chipotle chile powder, there are plenty of recipes to make them in adobo sauce online using onion, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and ketchup. If you have any resources to find Hispanic foods online, you might be able to order them too.

      I keep the extras in the freezer since they come in a can with several chipotles – one can would last you awhile if you can get your hands on it!

      Reply
  4. Tiffany @ The Chi-Athlete says

    November 20, 2014 at 5:53 AM

    Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…YES!

    And yes, to the pasta. Harry and I have gotten into the horrible habit of ordering out when we’re too exhausted from our day. The problem being that we don’t have things that are quick on-hand!

    Reply
  5. Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says

    November 20, 2014 at 8:47 AM

    mmmm.. like Chipotle’s!!!! YUM!

    Reply
  6. Megan A @ Life on Planet Marsz says

    November 20, 2014 at 9:18 AM

    This sounds delicious and definitely something I can see my hubby taking to work for leftovers for a week.

    Reply
  7. Lisa @ RunWiki says

    November 20, 2014 at 9:27 AM

    Oh my goodness! The Chipolte Barbacoa is my favorite! Although I try not to eat much meat lately I can see my family devouring this– and so easy.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 21, 2014 at 4:19 PM

      hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  8. Michele @ paleorunningmomma says

    November 20, 2014 at 9:33 AM

    My daughter and I are huge fans of shredded anything, and it’s my go-to easy once a week slow cooked meal. I can’t wait to try this recipe for next time!

    Reply
  9. Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon says

    November 20, 2014 at 9:51 AM

    Thanks again Lindsay for having me on your blog!

    I am so glad to hear that others have the same frustrations with coming home late at the end of the day without anything to eat, and the slow cooker can be such a useful tool.

    I hope you and your hubby can enjoy this dish together soon!! I need to make another batch ASAP 🙂

    Reply
  10. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says

    November 20, 2014 at 9:54 AM

    Looks good! I really need to use my crock pot more.

    Reply
  11. Hollie says

    November 20, 2014 at 10:19 AM

    Shredded beef reminds me a lot of Texas (where we previously lived). I could def go for some of this right now.

    Reply
  12. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says

    November 20, 2014 at 10:42 AM

    I love the ingredients in this recipe. I’ve made something similar with chicken (I’m not a red meat eater), but I love a few of the additions here like apple cider vinegar and chipotle in adobo.

    Reply
  13. Michael says

    November 20, 2014 at 2:48 PM

    I have to admit that Chipotle is my favorite restaurant. As soon as I saw barbacoa it made me think of Chipotle. This does sound pretty good. I’m a Chipotle addict. I have been since the very first time I ate there.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  14. Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks says

    November 20, 2014 at 8:07 PM

    I cannot wait to make this for my family this weekend! I love that this can be used on top of salads or rolled up into tacos. Will please everyone.

    Reply
  15. Matt @ Runner Savvy says

    November 20, 2014 at 8:15 PM

    This looks delicious!

    Reply
  16. Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says

    November 20, 2014 at 8:26 PM

    I am always looking for recipes that will turn boring chuck roast into something yummy and flavorful. This would be so awesome for dinner (and even better maybe the leftovers!)

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 21, 2014 at 4:18 PM

      agreed. it would rock as leftovers!

      Reply
  17. Krystal Sterling says

    November 23, 2014 at 12:24 PM

    I am making this today!! The BF and I are saving money and chipotle Sunday’s was our thing! Looking forward to see how long this lasts and how much we save!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 23, 2014 at 1:56 PM

      enjoy!

      Reply
  18. Kelli at Hungry Hobby says

    May 7, 2018 at 10:41 AM

    Who doesn’t love a little Chipotle?! This looks so delicious!!

    Reply
  19. Elizabeth says

    March 7, 2019 at 3:51 PM

    I made this in my Instant Pot with a chuck roast; 30 mins at High Pressure, quick release. Turned out wonderful!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      March 11, 2019 at 1:37 PM

      so glad to hear it!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 15 Slow Cooker Recipes Using Lean Beef | Then Heather Said says:
    May 21, 2017 at 2:31 PM

    […] Crockpot Shredded Beef Barbacoa from Uproot from Oregon via The Lean Green Bean //  A Chiptole Copy-Cat recipe perfect for your weekend meal prep. Turn a pot full of beef into a week of Bring Your Fiesta to Lunch Break deliciousness with a rotation of burrito bowls, nachos, and taco salads all featuring this Crockpot Shredded Beef. […]

    Reply
  2. 7 Easy Salads for Summer says:
    May 21, 2018 at 12:00 AM

    […] made a big batch of this Slow Cooker Barbacoa and ate it all week long in this Barbacoa Taco Salad. You can prep pretty much all of the […]

    Reply
  3. Top 10 Foods For Sunday Food Prep says:
    March 4, 2019 at 12:01 AM

    […] Put your crockpot or instant pot to good use and make some shredded chicken or try Persian Pulled Chicken or Slow Cooker Barbacoa. […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

Primary Sidebar

Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

Learn More →

Questions? Comments? Email me: [email protected]

The Lean Green Bean Facebook The Lean Green Bean Instagram The Lean Green Bean Pinterest The Lean Green Bean Twitter The Lean Green Bean Feed
footer-logo
The Lean Green Bean Facebook The Lean Green Bean Instagram The Lean Green Bean Pinterest The Lean Green Bean Twitter The Lean Green Bean Feed
Recipes

Breakfast
Dinner
Snack
Slow Cooker

Kids

Cooking With Kids
Favorite Gifts
Toddler Meals
Indoor Activities

Resources

Easy Packed Lunches for Kids
Dinner Spark
Snack Spark
Ultimate Guide to Food Prep

About

Meet Lindsay
Become an RD
Work with Me

The Lean Green Bean is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Read the full privacy and disclosure policy here.

Copyright © 2022 · The Lean Green Bean

table talk series

Learn how food affects your body.

Get my free Table Talk email series where I share bite-sized nutrition information about carbs, protein, and fat, plus bonus information about snacks and sugar!

[email protected]