Keto Beef Barbacoa (Slow Cooker, Big Bold Flavor)

This is a genuinely great cheap keto recipe, a tough and inexpensive cut of beef turned into something big, bold, and loaded with flavor. Keto beef barbacoa is tender, juicy, and effortlessly made in the slow cooker.

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Use it in tacos, piled on nachos, wrapped in your favorite tortilla, or over a bed of greens for a hearty salad. This makes plenty, so leftovers are basically guaranteed.

Chef Jenn’s Take on Keto Beef Barbacoa

Sear the beef hard on all sides before it goes into the slow cooker, a real hard sear, not a burnt one. That step matters more than it seems like it should, it builds a lot of the flavor this dish is known for.

Fresh spices genuinely make a difference here. Two chipotles in adobo lands you at about medium spice, add more for heat, or substitute a teaspoon of dried chipotle powder per canned chipotle if that’s what you have. Mexican oregano is genuinely different from the regular kind, with real citrus and licorice notes, use it if you can find it.

Once the beef is fall-apart tender, remove it and shred with two forks or chop it coarsely. Reduce the cooking liquid in a saucepan for about 10 minutes to concentrate the flavor before pouring it back over the beef.

Diced onion, cilantro, sliced jalapenos, and sour cream all make good garnishes. Serve it in low-carb tortillas, on tortilla chips, with cauliflower rice, or over greens for a hearty salad. This isn’t the same as carnitas either, both are slow-cooked, but the spice profiles genuinely differ.

What You’ll Love About Keto Beef Barbacoa

• Makes plenty, so leftovers are basically guaranteed all week.
• Turns a cheap, tough cut of beef into something genuinely great.
• Effortless in the slow cooker, with big, bold Mexican flavor.

Ingredients

• Chuck roast – Yup, get the biggest, cheapest chuck roast at the store, and even better, get them when they’re on sale and pop an extra roast or two into your freezer!
• Beef broth – Start with the low or no-sodium added variety
• Cider vinegar
• Brown sugar substitute – I like So Nourished brand sugars
• Dried spices (guajillo powder, ancho powder, cloves, cinnamon, Mexican oregano)
• Chipotle peppers in adobo – or dried chipotle powder
• Garlic cloves
• Cooking oil

How To Make Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa

Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.

Beef Barbacoa crock-pot style is easy! Start by seasoning the beef with salt and pepper and brown it on all sides in a skillet over high heat. You’re looking for a good, hard sear, but don’t burn it!

Put the beef, the residual cooking oil, spices, broth, and remaining ingredients into the slow cooker.

Cook it on high for about 5 hours, or on low for 6-7 hours or until the meat is falling apart tender.

Remove the meat from the slow cooker and when it’s cooled it a bit, shred it with two forks or roughly chop it.

Put the cooking liquid from the Crock Pot into a sauce pan and simmer it for about 10 minutes to reduce it a bit and concentrate the flavors.

Season the liquid with salt and pepper, then pour it over the beef and enjoy!

Make It A Meal

For more Mexican-inspired keto dinners, Al Pastor Pork Carnitas, Tex-Mex Beef Casserole, and Chicken Taco Casserole are all worth adding. I use my own Keto Taco Seasoning in a lot of these dishes too.

Storage

This freezes beautifully. Cool it completely in the fridge, then pack into freezer-safe zipper bags or containers along with the cooking liquid, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Keto cooking doesn’t need to be challenging! If you want more easy keto recipes, check out these soups and chowders, my famous cauliflower dish that has everyone talking, or my favorite keto eggless breakfast recipe, or this tasty egg dish.