Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef

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Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef — 🎉🌮🙌🏻 Learn how to make authentic-tasting barbacoa beef in your Instant Pot OR slow cooker! Either way is EASY, and the meat tastes just like from your favorite Mexican restaurant! Everyone LOVES how juicy and tender it is! Use the barbacoa beef in tacos, quesadillas, sandwiches, and more!

Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef — Learn how to make authentic-tasting barbacoa beef in your Instant Pot or slow cooker!! EASY, tastes BETTER than a restaurant, and is a dinnertime WINNER!!

What is Barbacoa Beef? 

If you’ve never eaten barbacoa before, it’s essentially slow cooked beef that’s been flavored with a mixture of herbs, spices, and chiles. I used a trimmed boneless beef chuck roast in this Instant Pot recipe.

Barbacoa beef made in an Instant Pot is ready in about 1 hour.

In traditional preparations of barbacoa, multiple different parts of the beef head were used, as well as sheep or goat, but we’re not going down those roads with this recipe.

Slap it in some warmed corn tortillas, top with a squirt of lime juice, cilantro, and red onions, and you have tacos to-die-for.

The whole family is going to love these tacos and you don’t have to dig a hole and let the meat cook for 12 hours, which is traditionally how barbacoa was made. Just use your Instant Pot!

Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef — Learn how to make authentic-tasting barbacoa beef in your Instant Pot or slow cooker!! EASY, tastes BETTER than a restaurant, and is a dinnertime WINNER!!

Ingredients for Instant Pot Barbacoa

To make this beef barbacoa in your Instant Pot, you’ll need: 

  • Beef stock
  • White onion
  • Garlic
  • Canned green chiles
  • Chipotles in adobo sauce
  • Lime juice
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Dried herbs and spices
  • Olive oil
  • Boneless beef chuck

Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.

Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef — Learn how to make authentic-tasting barbacoa beef in your Instant Pot or slow cooker!! EASY, tastes BETTER than a restaurant, and is a dinnertime WINNER!!

How to Make Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef

This is an overview how to make this glorious beef barbacoa. Make sure to see the recipe card below for more details.

  1. Blend together the onion, garlic, chipotle peppers in adobe, adobo sauce, green chiles, lime juice, cumin, and Mexican oregano.
  2. Dice a chuck roast into chunks, throw it into your Instant Pot and sear it.
  3. One the meat is seared, top with the 13-ingredient sauce, and let it cook.
  4. Shred it and dig in. Tacos are the way we love it most!
Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef — Learn how to make authentic-tasting barbacoa beef in your Instant Pot or slow cooker!! EASY, tastes BETTER than a restaurant, and is a dinnertime WINNER!!

Barbacoa FAQs

Is beef barbacoa spicy?

This Instant Pot barbacoa is so juicy, tender, and full of flavor. It’s not spicy per se, but rather it’s flavorful. If you want to up the heat level, use more chipotles in adobo and/or more adobo sauce.

What cut of beef is best for barbacoa?

I suggest buying a boneless beef chuck roast.

Can I substitute the Mexican oregano?

If you can’t find it, regular oregano is okay.

Can I add dried chiles?

Some recipes use dried chiles, but it’s another step and process to soften them and using canned chipotles in adobo is so easy and delivers plenty of flavor. So, yes, you can use dried chiles if you have some you’re trying to use up, but otherwise I suggest following the recipe as written!

How should I serve beef barbacoa?

You don’t have to stop with just tacos when enjoying this Instant Pot barbacoa. Use the Mexican beef in burritos, quesadillas, on tostadas, in salads, or make sandwiches or tortas with it.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

In the Refrigerator: This recipe will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days.

In the Freezer: This recipe will keep airtight in the freezer for up to 1-2 months. Barbacoa beef freezes incredibly well. Just be sure to sure freeze it with some of the juices from the meat so it doesn’t dry out. 

To Reheat: I use my microwave for quickness and ease and reheat my leftovers for about 30 seconds on high, or as needed.

What to Serve With Beef Barbacoa

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4.64 from 76 votes

Instant Pot OR Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef

By Averie Sunshine
🎉🌮🙌🏻 Learn how to make authentic-tasting barbacoa beef in your Instant Pot OR slow cooker! Either way is EASY, and the meat tastes just like from your favorite Mexican restaurant! Everyone LOVES how juicy and tender it is! Use the barbacoa beef in tacos, quesadillas, sandwiches, and more!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8
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Equipment

Ingredients  

  • ¾ cup beef stock, Mexican beer (Sol, Pacifico, Negro Modelo, etc.), or water
  • 1 small/medium white onion, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 4 to 5 cloves garlic
  • one 4-ounce can diced green chiles
  • 4 chipotles in adobo sauce, or reduce/increase to taste based on preferred heat level
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons adobo sauce, or reduce/increase to taste based on preferred heat level
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 heaping tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 heaping tablespoon dried Mexican oregano, regular oregano may be substituted
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, fat trimmed, and diced into 2-inch chunks
  • 3 or 4 bay leaves
  • corn tortillas, lime juice, cilantro, red onions, avocado, cotija cheese, etc.; for serving

Instructions 

  • To the canister of a high speed blender or food processor, add the first 13 ingredients (through cloves), and process on high speed to combine until smooth; set aside.

Instant Pot Directions:

  • Add the oil, beef, and sear on all sides until nicely crusted using the Saute function; flip intermittently; press Cancel to turn off the heat.
  • Add the 13-ingredient puree to the beef that’s in your Instant Pot, add the bay leaves, stir to combine, close lid securely and set vent to Sealing.
  • Press Manual, then press Pressure until the light on High Pressure illuminates. Adjust the +/- buttons until time reads 60 minutes and cook.
  • After 60 minutes, carefully turn the vent to Venting for quick release, wait until all of the steam has released, and the valve has dropped.
  • Remove the lid, discard bay leaves, shred the meat with 2 forks, and I recommend allowing it to sit in the juices for about 15 minutes before serving so it soaks up even more flavor.

Slow Cooker Directions:

  • If using a slow cooker (I recommend a 6-quart size, give or take) and it has a searing function, use it here by adding the oil, beef, and sear on all sides until nicely crusted; flip intermittently. If it does not have a searing function, sear the beef in a large skillet or Dutch and then transfer it back into your slow cooker.
  • Add the 13-ingredient puree to the beef that’s in your Slow Cooker, add the bay leaves, stir to combine, close lid, and cook for about 4 to 5 hours on High or about 7 to 8 hours on Low.
  • Remove the lid, discard bay leaves, shred the meat with 2 forks, and I recommend allowing it to sit in the juices for about 15 minutes before serving so it soaks up even more flavor.
  • Serve on warmed tortillas, or make burritos, quesadillas, tostados, sandwiches, tortas, etc.

Notes

  • Beef will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 364kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 33g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 117mg, Sodium: 1151mg, Potassium: 660mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 41IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 47mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

More Mexican Recipes Using Beef:

ALL OF MY MEXICAN RECIPES! 

Baked Cheese and Beef Taquitos — Craving Mexican food? Make these EASY taquitos made with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, salsa, and baked to crispy perfection!

Mexican Beef Meatballs with Tomato Avocado Salad — These fast and easy beef meatballs are packed with protein, coated in enchilada sauce, and are loaded with Mexican-inspired flavors! Great for busy weeknight dinners or easy-breezy entertaining!

Mexican Beef Meatballs with Tomato Avocado Salad - These FAST and EASY beef meatballs are packed with protein that can provide strength to fuel the whole family. They’re coated in enchilada sauce and are loaded with Mexican-inspired flavors!! Great for busy weeknight dinners or easy-breezy entertaining!! #BeefItsWhatsForDinner #NicelyDone

One Skillet Beef Taco Pasta – An easy recipe that’s ready in 20 minutes, made in one skillet, and loaded with Mexican-inspired flavors! A family favorite that’s great for busy weeknights!

One Skillet Beef Taco Pasta - An EASY recipe that's ready in 20 minutes, made in ONE skillet, and loaded with Mexican-inspired flavors!! A family favorite that's great for busy weeknights!!

Loaded Beef Taco Salad with Creamy Lime Cilantro Dressing — Loaded with your favorite taco fixings, minus the shells, to keep things healthier without sacrificing any flavor! The dressing is easy, creamy and irresistible!

Loaded Beef Taco Salad with Creamy Lime Cilantro Dressing - Loaded with your favorite taco fixings, minus the shells, to keep things healthier without sacrificing any FLAVOR!! The dressing is easy, creamy and IRRESISTIBLE!!

Easy 30-Minute Southwestern Beef Skillet — Easy, family friendly, ready in 30 minutes, and comfort food at its best! Ground beef, pasta, black beans, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and cheese for a Southwestern flair!

Easy 30-Minute Southwestern Beef Skillet - EASY, family friendly, ready in 30 minutes, and COMFORT FOOD at its best!! Ground beef, PASTA, black beans, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and CHEESE for a Southwestern flair!!

Steak Fajita Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing — 🥗🍅🥑🌶️ Tastes like your favorite steak fajitas, but in fresh and crisp salad form! Mouth-watering sliced sirloin steak, crisp bell peppers, onions, and juicy tomatoes are layered over a bed of lettuce to really level-up your salad game! 

Steak Quesadillas – 🌮🥩🧀 Stuffed to the max with juicy strips of steak, peppers and onions, and plenty of melted cheese, these EASY quesadillas are a family FAVORITE!

4.64 from 76 votes (56 ratings without comment)

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

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Comments

    1. I have the 6 quart option https://amzn.to/3PyRmJm but I am sure it will be fine in an 8 quart. Not sure if you will need to make any modifications to cooking time – probably very little if you do, but I have not tested it.

  1. 5 stars
    Thanks for sharing this Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef, super excited to try this one with us . Surely gonna try this one

  2. 5 stars
    Thanks for sharing this Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef, super excited to try this one with us . Surely gonna try this one

  3. 5 stars
    Thanks for sharing this Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef, super excited to try this one with us . Surely gonna try this one

  4. 5 stars
    Was a BIG HIT at our annual Mother’s Day lunch. Making it again for my husband’s bday plus I’ve been asked for the recipe as well by family :-)

  5. 5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe! I’ve made it multiple times, and continue to just love it every single time. I use moose, and it is oh so very tasty! Thank you, thank you.

  6. 5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe! I’ve made it multiple times, and continue to just love it every single time. I use moose, and it is oh so very tasty! Thank you, thank you.

    1. Thanks for the 5 star review and I am glad to hear you’ve made it multiple times and continue to love it!