This Whole30 Barbacoa Beef is so tender it melts in your mouth, has a rich sauce and is so versatile it can be served in endless ways including tacos, salads or rice bowls. The beef requires just 20 minutes of hands on prep time, and then slowly cooks until it's fork tender.
Put the slow cooker on sear/sauté and heat the oil. Sear the brisket on all sides until golden in colour, alternatively if you do not have a sear function you can do this in a pan on the stove top. Once the brisket is browned, remove from the slow cooker and set aside on a plate.
Add the diced red onion and garlic to the slow cooker and sauté for 4 minutes until the onion begins to soften.
Once the onion has softened add in all of the spices, salt, beef broth and lime juice and stir to mix well. Return the beef back to the pot and cook on low heat for 8 hours or high heat for 6 hours.
The brisket is down when it tender and easily comes apart with a fork. Remove the brisket from the slow cooker and shred using 2 forks. Pour some of the excess liquid from the pot over the beef.
Instant Pot Instructions
Turn the instant pot on to saute and sear the brisket on all sides until golden in colour. Set aside on a plate.
Add the diced red onion and garlic to the pot and sauté for 4 minutes until the onion begins to soften. Once the onion has softened add in all of the spices, salt, beef broth and lime juice and stir to mix well
Put on high pressure a cook for 1 hour followed by a quick pressure release.
Remove the brisket from the pot and shred using 2 forks. Pour some of the excess liquid from the pot over the beef.