Whole30 Beef Barbacoa

Transform your next meal with this tantalizing Whole30 Beef Barbacoa, a flavorful and fall-apart tender dish perfect for clean eating. Crafted with a blend of smoky chipotle peppers, zesty lime juice, and warming spices like cumin and cloves, this slow-cooked recipe turns a hearty beef chuck roast into a rich and satisfying centerpiece. The tender beef is bathed in a savory sauce made from wholesome ingredients, all while staying free of grains, dairy, and added sugars—ideal for those following a Whole30 or paleo lifestyle. Pair it with cauliflower rice, tuck it into lettuce wraps, or enjoy it on its own for a hearty, guilt-free meal. Ready your slow cooker and let this recipe’s bold, aromatic flavors do the work for an effortless, health-conscious dinner!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:480 mins

Total Time:500 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 pounds beef chuck roast
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion
• 5 large garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1 quarter cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Step 1

Begin by preparing the beef chuck roast. Trim any excess fat and cut it into several large chunks for more even cooking.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.

Step 3

Once hot, sear the chunks of beef until browned on all sides. This should take about 6-8 minutes. Remove the beef and set aside.

Step 4

Peel and coarsely chop the onion. Peel the garlic cloves.

Step 5

In a blender or food processor, combine the onion, garlic, chipotle peppers, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, ground cumin, oregano, and ground cloves. Blend until a smooth paste forms.

Step 6

Pour the paste into a slow cooker. Stir in the beef broth, ensuring the mixture is well combined.

Step 7

Place the seared beef chunks into the slow cooker, turning them to coat well in the sauce.

Step 8

Add the bay leaves, and season with salt and pepper.

Step 9

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the beef is extremely tender and shreds easily with a fork.

Step 10

Once done, discard the bay leaves and shred the beef using two forks.

Step 11

Serve the beef barbacoa hot, optionally with cauliflower rice, in lettuce wraps, or as desired to maintain Whole30 compliance.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2206.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3936.2

Total Fat 304.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 113.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 1020.6mg	0%
Sodium 4364.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 47.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.1g	0%
Total Sugars 12.7g
Protein 255.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 390.0mg	0%
Iron 43.6mg	0%
Potassium 4778.2mg	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: 69.3%

Protein: 25.9%

Carbs: 4.8%