Slow Cooker Beef Adobado

Slow Cooker Beef Adobado is one of those recipes that'll have everyone asking for seconds—it's smoky, spicy, and perfect for tacos, bowls, or whatever you're craving.

This recipe is a bit of a labor of love, BUT it is absolutely, 100%, without a doubt, worth it. If you have ever had smoky, spicy beef adobado or beef barbacoa, this recipe will help you make it at home, and it will taste better than what you have had in restaurants.

The secret is in the dried chilies. They add heat, smoke, and a depth of flavor that is almost impossible to achieve with fresh peppers or canned sauces.

The dried chilies are paired with onion, garlic, canned chipotle peppers, and some spices to make a killer sauce. Then, cook the brisket in the sauce low and slow for the best-shredded beef dish.

Have extra dried chilies? Consider making a batch of this Beef Birria as well.

What is Beef Adobado?

Adobado (sometimes spelled adovado) is a Mexican sauce typically prepared with slow-cooked beef or pork in a deep red chile sauce. The sauce is made with dried chile peppers, garlic, onions, and spices. Typically, a combination of dried chile peppers is used, including guajillo peppers, pasilla peppers, and sometimes ancho chile peppers. Many times, chipotle peppers packed in adobo are added as well.

The sauce is thick, smoky, and has a medium level of spice. It is also very earthy from the dried chile peppers and the combination of spices used.

Carne Adobada is often served with rice, beans, and corn tortillas. It can also be used in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or other Mexican dishes.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here's what you'll need for an authentic Slow Cooker Beef Adobado dish!

• Lean beef brisket: Beef brisket comes from the cow's lower chest and is perfect for slow cooking. Its rich marbling and connective tissue break down beautifully, soaking up the bold adobado flavors for tender, flavorful shredded beef.
• Dried guajillo and ancho chilies: These dried chilies bring smoky, earthy flavors to the dish, with just a hint of spice. They're what gives the sauce its signature rich, deep-red color and authentic taste. Remove the stems and seeds.
• Chicken broth: Helps hydrate the chilies and creates the base for the sauce, balancing the bold flavors of the spices and peppers. Use low sodium chicken broth.
• Aromatics: Onion and garlic cloves are a great flavor base for the sauce.
• Chipotle peppers in adobo: These smoky, spicy peppers add heat and a subtle tanginess. They bring a unique flavor that complements the dried chilies perfectly.
• Cumin and oregano: These spices give the sauce a warm, earthy vibe. Cumin adds a hint of smokiness, while oregano brings an herby, slightly peppery kick.
• Cloves: A little goes a long way! Cloves add a touch of warmth and a hint of sweetness that rounds out the sauce.
• Apple cider vinegar: Brightens up the dish and balances the richness of the beef and sauce. It also helps tenderize the meat as it cooks.
• Soy sauce: Adds a savory, umami depth to the sauce. It's a subtle ingredient but plays a big role in boosting overall flavor.
• Chipotle peppers in adobo:
• Bay leaves: These little leaves infuse the sauce with a mild herbal flavor that ties everything together as it slow cooks.

How to Make Adobado Sauce

The sauce is where all the flavor comes from in this recipe. Here is how to make a traditional Mexican adobado sauce.

1.Toast and Soak the Chilies

Start by toasting the dried chilies to bring out their smoky flavor. Then, soak them in warm broth to soften while you prep the rest.

Pro tip: To speed up this process, I like to add the chilies to chicken broth and microwave them. You can also heat the chicken broth on the stove and then add the chilies to the hot broth. Then, cover and let the chilies rehydrate and plump up. Do not discard the–it soaks up lots of flavor from the chilies.

2.Sauté the Aromatics

Cooking the onion, garlic, chipotle peppers, cumin, and oregano creates a deeper flavor in the sauce. This step is important and shouldn't be missed.

3.Deglaze the Pan

There is so much flavor in the browned bits in the pan. Use vinegar to deglaze the pan so that all that flavor can be added to the sauce.

4.Blend the Sauce

Toss the soaked chilies, broth, and sautéed mixture into a blender. Blend it all together into a smooth, rich sauce.

5.Slow Cook the Beef

Season the beef, pour the sauce over it in your slow cooker, and let it cook low and slow until it's fall-apart tender.

Pro tip: Sear the beef for a few minutes on each side to lock in flavor before adding it to the slow cooker!

6.Shred and Finish the Sauce

Shred the beef with two forks. Once the beef has cooked, it's time to reduce the sauce so that it is thick and rich. The easiest way to do this is by removing the sauce and adding it to a saucepan. Then, bring it to a simmer and let it reduce until it is thick.

Pro tip: Usually, I triple or quadruple the sauce and then freeze it for future meals. That way, I don't have to make the sauce every time we crave beef adobado.

Variations of Slow Cooker Beef Adobado

Here are some easy ways to customize this recipe:

• Beef Birria: Swap brisket for chuck roast and add a bit more broth for a soupy, hearty dish perfect for dipping tacos.
• Spicy Kick: Add extra chipotle peppers or a splash of hot sauce to turn up the heat.
• Smoky Barbacoa: Use a mix of dried ancho and pasilla chilies for a smokier, slightly milder flavor profile.
• Crockpot Pulled Pork: This recipe works great with pork. Normally adobado is made with pork shoulder or pork butt. It will take between 8-10 hours in the slow cooker.

How to Serve Carne Adobada

There are so many ways to serve this beef. Here are the most popular:

• Classics: Traditionally, if you order carne adobada in a restaurant, it is served with white rice, black or pinto beans, and corn tortillas. There would be plenty of fresh cilantro and some fresh limes.
• Tacos: This shredded beef can also be turned into tacos! No salsa is needed since the red chile sauce serves as the salsa. Just add fresh cilantro and onion.
• Enchiladas: The adobado sauce and beef can be used to make delicious enchiladas. Fill the tortillas with shredded beef. Then, cover the filled tortillas with the adobado sauce and add cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted, and serve with slices of white onion.
• Bowls: Make a rice bowl with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice for a low-carb version or Garlic Cilantro Brown Rice for a classic bowl. Pile on your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Toppings

Here are some fun toppings to add to your beef adobado!

• Guacamole
• Pickled Red Onions
• Pico de Gallo
• Corn Salsa
• Grilled Pineapple Salsa
• Refried Beans