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    Home » Slow Cooker

    Chipotle Barbacoa

    By Lisa Wells / Updated August 31, 2025 / 2 Comments

    Make this easy dinner recipe from Danielle Walker's Meals Made Simple in the crock pot.

    Danielle Walker's Chipotle Barbacoa from Meals Made Simple
    photo from Meals Made Simple

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    I'm a huge fan of Danielle Walker's Against All Grain and her cookbooks. The first time I made her Real Deal Chocolate Chip Cookies, my husband didn't believe they were grain-free cookies-they're that good.

    So I was thrilled to receive a review copy of her cookbook, Danielle Walker's Against All Grain: Meals Made Simple: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Paleo Recipes to Make Anytime.

    It's a beautiful book with full-page photos of every mouth-watering recipe. It even includes a tear-out, eight-week meal plan with shopping lists. There are so many great recipes to try, and all of them are indexed by dietary restrictions, quick meals, slow cooker and one-pot meals.

    The first recipe I made from the book was Rosemary-Lemon Pork Chops. I had some thin pork chops left in the freezer that needed to be used up and rosemary plants still going strong in my garden.

    Rosemary, garlic and lemon is one my favorite flavor combinations, and this recipe did not disappoint. It was quick, easy and tasty. The thin pork chops thawed quickly in a bowl of water, and cooked in a matter of minutes. This is a perfect weeknight meal, and one I will be making again.

    Up next was Danielle's Chipotle Barbacoa. This is my kind of recipe-the sauce ingredients go in the food processor, and then everything goes into the crock pot. I'm sharing the photo and recipe from Meals Made Simple below.

    I've made this for family get togethers and everyone loved it. It's perfect for watching football or any time you need to feed a crowd.

    Chipotle Barbacoa in stacked white bowl with lettuce, guacamole and tomatoes.

    Danielle Walker's Chipotle Barbacoa

    This slow cooker version of barbacoa is so easy to make and is a crowd pleaser.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin This
    Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 8 hours hrs
    Total Time: 8 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Servings: 6 servings
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Diet: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Keto, Low Carb, Paleo, Whole30

    Ingredients

    • 1 3-pound center-cut beef shoulder roast
    • 3 to 5 large dried chipotle peppers seeds removed
    • 1 small yellow onion quartered
    • ¼ cup fresh lime juice
    • ¼ cup tomato paste
    • 4 cloves garlic peeled
    • 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
    • 2 teaspoons sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
    • ¾ cup low-sodium beef stock or chicken stock
    • 3 bay leaves
    • lettuce, salsa, guacamole, and chopped fresh cilantro for serving

    Instructions

    • Cut the roast into 2 pieces and trim any fat. Place in a slow cooker.
    • Combine the chipotle peppers, onion, lime juice, tomato paste, garlic, vinegar, cumin, salt, oregano, and cloves in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth.
    • Pour the puréed pepper mixture over the roast and add the stock and bay leaves.
    • Cover and cook on low for 7 hours.
    • Remove the beef and shred with 2 forks. Return the meat to the slow cooker and continue cooking for 1 to 2 hours, until very tender.
    • Serve over a bed of lettuce with salsa, guacamole, and cilantro.

    Notes

    Make-ahead tip: Prepare steps 1 through 3 and store in an airtight bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months or refrigerate for up to 3 days before cooking.
    A pork or lamb roast also works wonderfully for this recipe.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 446kcal Carbohydrates: 9g Protein: 67g Fat: 15g Saturated Fat: 6g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 8g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 184mg Sodium: 1081mg Potassium: 1077mg Fiber: 2g Sugar: 4g Vitamin A: 199IU Vitamin C: 7mg Calcium: 57mg Iron: 8mg
    Keyword: chipotle barbacoa, chipotle barbacoa recipe
    Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating above and share your photo on social. I love seeing what you've made!

    Recipe and photos reprinted with permission from Danielle Walker's Against All Grain: Meals Made Simple (Victory Belt Publishing Inc.).

    More Easy Beef Recipes

    Looking for more beef recipes? Here are a few to try from slow cooker to classic meatloaf.

    For a hearty comfort food dinner, try this keto beef stew. Slow-cooked until tender, it's perfect for a cozy meal.

    And when you're craving takeout flavors, slow cooker sesame beef is the answer. The beef turns out tender and flavorful, and the dipping sauce takes just a few minutes to prep.

    If you're looking for something classic, this easy keto meatloaf is always a win. Simple ingredients come together in one-bowl for a main dish that's great any night of the week.

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    Comments

    1. Katie B says

      December 18, 2014 at 12:50 pm

      I made this for dinner last night and it was amazing! My grocery store was out of bay leaves and cloves, and I substituted the beef shoulder for a top round roast. Even with those alterations it was still flavorful. I know it's tempting to buy the chipotle peppers in a can with adobo, but I think the secret lies in the whole dry peppers. I used Bailey Farms brand from my local grocery store (the container looks like this. I will definitely be making this again.

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        December 18, 2014 at 2:20 pm

        Awesome! This is a great cookbook - everything I've made of Danielle's has been good. And thanks for the tip about the peppers!

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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    Welcome! I'm Lisa. If you're looking for easy ways to make eating healthy and living well a part of your lifestyle—without giving up all the foods you love or spending hours in the kitchen—you're in the right place.

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