Heart-Healthy Classic Mexican Barbacoa

Experience the bold, authentic flavors of Mexico with this Heart-Healthy Classic Mexican Barbacoa recipe, a lighter twist on a beloved traditional dish. Using lean beef chuck roast, this slow-cooked masterpiece is infused with the smoky heat of chipotle peppers, the tang of apple cider vinegar, and zesty lime juice for a balanced depth of flavor. Seasoned with fragrant spices like cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano, the tender, fall-apart beef is perfect for tacos, burritos, or even grain bowls. This recipe prioritizes your health without sacrificing taste, utilizing a cooking olive oil spray and low-sodium beef broth to reduce fats and sodium. Easy to prepare in the slow cooker, it's a stress-free way to create a wholesome meal that’s as nourishing as it is delicious. Perfect for meal prepping or serving at your next Mexican-inspired feast, this heart-healthy barbacoa is sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:420 mins

Total Time:440 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds lean beef chuck roast
• 1 container cooking olive oil spray
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup beef broth, low sodium
• 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
• 0.25 cup lime juice
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Directions

Step 1

Spray a large skillet with cooking olive oil spray and heat over medium-high heat.

Step 2

Rub the lean beef chuck roast with salt, ground black pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika.

Step 3

Brown the beef on all sides in the hot skillet for about 6-8 minutes.

Step 4

Transfer the browned beef to a slow cooker.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent, about 4 minutes.

Step 6

Add the sautéed onions and garlic to the slow cooker with the beef.

Step 7

In a bowl, mix together the beef broth, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.

Step 8

Pour the mixture over the beef in the slow cooker.

Step 9

Add the dried oregano and bay leaves to the slow cooker.

Step 10

Cover and cook on low for 7 hours or until the beef is tender and pulls apart easily.

Step 11

Once cooked, remove the bay leaves and shred the beef using two forks.

Step 12

Serve the barbacoa warm. It can be enjoyed in tacos, burritos, or alongside a fresh salad for a heart-healthy meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1424.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2431.7

Total Fat 167.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 64.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 680.4mg	0%
Sodium 3117.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 29.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.5g	0%
Total Sugars 6.9g
Protein 205.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 222.9mg	0%
Iron 28.0mg	0%
Potassium 3701.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.5%

Protein: 33.7%

Carbs: 4.8%