Slow Cooker Mexican Beef Adobo

Slow Cooker Beef Adobo is one of those recipes that'll have everyone asking for seconds—it's smoky, spicy, and will curb those Mexican cravings in no time.

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 adobo 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, and some spices to make a killer sauce. Then, cook the beef 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 or some extra Mexican Adobo sauce to save in the freezer.

What is Beef Adobo?

Adobo is a classic Mexican dish made by slow-cooking beef or pork in a vibrant, deep red chile sauce. This flavorful sauce is crafted from dried chile peppers such as guajillo, pasilla, and often ancho chiles, blended with garlic, onions, and spices. Sometimes, chipotle peppers in adobo are added for extra depth and smokiness.

The sauce is thick, smoky, and moderately spicy, with earthy undertones from the dried chiles and spices. It pairs wonderfully with rice, beans, tortillas, and dishes like tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.

Ingredients and Substitutions

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

• Beef chuck roast: A richly marbled cut that's perfect for slow cooking. It becomes incredibly tender and flavorful, soaking up the adobo sauce beautifully. You can use a leaner cut of beef if you prefer, but it won't have the same rich flavor. 
• Dried guajillo, pasilla, and ancho chilies: These bring smoky, earthy flavors with a touch of spice, creating a vibrant, authentic base for the adobo sauce. 
• Chicken broth or boiling water: Rehydrates the chilies and forms the liquid base for the sauce, balancing the bold flavors. If you don't have chicken broth, use boiling water and chicken bouillon powder. 
• Garlic cloves: Toasted to enhance their rich, aromatic flavor in the sauce.
• Spices: Black pepper, ground cumin, and oregano provide warm, earthy tones, while bay leaves add subtle herbal depth.
• White vinegar: Adds brightness and tenderizes the beef as it simmers in the sauce. Apple cider vinegar can also be used. 

How to Make Beef Adobo in the Crock Pot

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

1. Toast and Soak the Chilies

Toast the chilies and garlic in a skillet to release their smoky flavors, then soak them in hot broth until softened.

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 liquid–it soaks up lots of flavor from the chilies.

2. Blend the Sauce

Combine the chilies, soaking liquid, garlic, vinegar, and spices in a blender. Blend until smooth. Use this Mexican Adobo Sauce recipe for all the details!

3. Prepare the Beef

Season the beef, place it in the slow cooker, and pour the adobo sauce over it. If you have time, sear the beef over medium-high heat for a few minutes on each side to lock in flavor before adding it to the slow cooker!

4. Cook Low and Slow

Cook the beef on low heat until it's fall-apart tender, letting the flavors meld beautifully.

5. Shred and Serve

Shred the beef with two forks, then serve with fresh cilantro, tortillas, or rice. Enjoy the rich, smoky adobo goodness!

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 adobo.

Variations of Slow Cooker Beef Adobo

Here are some easy ways to customize this recipe:

• Beef consomé dipping sauce: If you want to serve this dish with consomé, similar to beef birria, add a bit more broth to the extra sauce. Add lime juice, cilantro, and diced onion, and serve it on the side for dipping.
• Spicy Kick: Add canned chipotle peppers or dried arbol chile peppers to turn up the heat.
• Pork Adobado (Puerco Adobado): This recipe works great with pork. Typically adobo is made with pork shoulder or pork butt. It will take between 8-10 hours in the slow cooker.
• Chicken Thighs: This dish is also delicious with chicken thighs.

How to Serve Carne Adobo

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

• Classics: Traditionally, if you order carne adobado or Adobo de Res in a restaurant, it is served with white rice, black beans or pinto beans, and corn tortillas. There would be plenty of fresh cilantro and some fresh limes on the side. 
• 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 adobo sauce and beef can be used to make delicious enchiladas. Fill the tortillas with shredded beef. Then, cover the filled tortillas with the adobo 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 Mexican rice for a classic bowl. Pile on your favorite toppings and enjoy!
• Quesadillas: Sandwich the cooked beef between flour tortillas and melty cheese for perfect quesadillas!
• Salad: Pile the shredded beef on top of a bed of lettuce and add your favorite toppings for a smoky, spicy salad!

Toppings

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

• Guacamole or sliced avocados
• Pickled Red Onions
• Pico de Gallo
• Corn Salsa
• Refried Beans
• Cotija cheese or queso fresco
• Sour cream or Mexican crema
• Shredded lettuce or cabbage