Slow Cooker Barbacoa Lettuce Wrap ‘Tacos’
with lime slaw / avocado
Last year our community members asked for a Cook Smarts take on barbacoa and we were happy to comply with these fresh lettuce cup 'tacos'!
Smarts: The barbacoa in this recipe could be made in the Instant Pot. For tips, join the Cook Smarts Instant Pot Facebook Group.
Smarts: In many tropical countries pineapple and other fruits are topped with a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of chili powder - it's a unique way to balance out the natural sweetness of the fruit. Feel free to serve the pineapple spears without those toppings if you prefer.
Smarts: The barbacoa in this recipe could be made in the Instant Pot. For tips, join the Cook Smarts Instant Pot Facebook Group.
Smarts: In many tropical countries pineapple and other fruits are topped with a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of chili powder - it's a unique way to balance out the natural sweetness of the fruit. Feel free to serve the pineapple spears without those toppings if you prefer.
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Ingredients
Slow Cooker Barbacoa (for 2 nights):
- Onions, medium and white - 1/2 , chopped into large pieces
- Garlic - 4 cloves , chopped
- Chipotle peppers - 1 , chopped (from a can of chipotles in adobo)
- Beef, boneless chuck roast - 3 lbs , cut into large pieces
- Cumin - 2 tsp
- Oregano, dried - 2 tsp
- Salt - 2 tsp
- Black pepper - 1 tsp
- Stock, any type - 1 cup
- Vinegar, apple cider - 3 Tbsp
- Bay leaves - 2
- Lime juice - 1 Tbsp
Slow Cooker Barbacoa Lettuce Wrap ‘Tacos’:
- Onions, medium and white - 1/2 , diced
- Avocados - 1 , sliced
- Cilantro - 2 Tbsp , chopped
- Limes - 1/2 , wedges
- Lettuce, romaine - 12 leaves (sub green leaf or iceberg)
- Slow Cooker Barbacoa (ingredients listed separately) - ~2 cups
- Salsa - for serving
Lime Slaw:
- Honey - 1 tsp
- Lime juice - 2 tsp
- Oil, cooking - 1 Tbsp
- Coleslaw mix - 5 oz
Chili Salted Pineapple Spears:
- Pineapple, medium - 1 , sliced into spears (look for pre-sliced pineapple to save time)
- Chili powder (opt) - 1/2 tsp
- Salt (opt) - 1/4 tsp
Prep
- Onions (for barbacoa and tacos) / Garlic / Chipotle pepper - Prep as directed. Set onions for tacos aside. Combine onions for barbacoa, garlic, and chipotle pepper. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Beef - Slice beef into large chunks. Tenderize with a fork. (Can be done up to 3 days ahead)
- Make slaw - Whisk together honey, lime juice (portion for slaw), and oil. Add coleslaw mix and toss to combine. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
- Slow-cook beef - Place beef in the bowl of a slow cooker. Add cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper and stir to combine. Top beef with onions (portion for barbacoa), garlic, and chipotle pepper. Add stock, vinegar, bay leaves, and lime juice (portion for barbacoa). Cook until beef is tender, 7 to 8 hours on low (4 to 5 hours on high).
- Avocados / Cilantro / Limes / Lettuce - Prep as directed.
- Pineapple - Slice into spears. Spread out on a serving plate and sprinkle with chili powder and salt (or serve the spears without the topping if you prefer).
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Make
- Use a slotted spoon to remove beef from cooking liquid (discard cooking liquid). Transfer beef to a cutting board and shred with forks or chop with a knife. (Shred / chop the barbacoa for Thursday night at the same time and set it aside.)
- Give slaw a stir and season with some salt and pepper.
- Set out lettuce leaves, barbacoa, slaw, onions (portion for lettuce wraps), avocados, cilantro, lime wedges, and salsa. Assemble lettuce wrap ‘tacos’ at the table. (Add slaw to the wraps or serve it on the side.) Serve with pineapple. Enjoy!
- Note: If you want to get a head start on Thursday, you can make the filling and assemble the stuffed peppers now. That way you can just slide them in the oven on Thursday night!
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