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Slow Cooker Pineapple Barbacoa

Slow cooker pineapple barbacoa is a super easy recipe to make for a gathering or a family meal and have extra on hand for meal prep or to freeze. This recipe is both gluten free and dairy free and since barbacoa goes perfectly with so many things the possibilities are endless.

  • Author: Bailey
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 4-5 hours
  • Total Time: 41 minute
  • Yield: 8 1x
  • Category: beef
  • Method: slow cooker
  • Cuisine: american
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive or avocado oil
  • 4pound beef chuck roast
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (13.5 ounce) can pineapple chunks in 100% pineapple juice

For the Sauce:

  • 1.5 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 23 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (3 for a spicier flavor), plus 3 tablespoons of the sauce from the can
  • 1/2 large red onion, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground clove

Optional for serving: tortillas, diced white onion or pickled red onions, lime wedges, cilantro

Instructions

  1. Add all of the sauce ingredients into a food processor and blend until combined. The sauce doesn’t need to be completely smooth (the onions can still have a small finely diced appearance)
  2. Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and once it’s hot, add the chuck roast and sear it until browned on all sides
  3. Add the chuck roast into the slow cooker, pour the sauce over top, and then add in the can of diced pineapple chunks and pineapple juice
  4. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or high for 4 to 5 hours, until beef falls apart. If the beef doesn’t fall apart while dragging a fork over it, it needs more time to cook
  5. Once done, shred the beef and combine it with the sauce. Serve in tacos, burritos or with a taco salad

Notes

  • Searing the beef before cooking is an optional step. It deepens the flavor, but it is not required if you’re short on time or trying to save on dishes.