Description
Barbacoa Beef Tacos are a delicious and traditional Mexican dish featuring slow-cooked, tender, and flavorful beef. This recipe brings out the best smoky, tangy, and spicy flavors using authentic seasonings. Whether cooked in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or oven, these tacos will be a hit for any meal. Serve with fresh toppings like cilantro, onions, and lime for the ultimate taco experience!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Barbacoa Beef:
- 3–4 lbs beef chuck roast or brisket, cut into large chunks
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 dried chipotle chilies (or 1 tbsp chipotle in adobo sauce)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1–2 bay leaves
- 1 cup beef broth
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Tacos:
- Corn or flour tortillas
- ½ cup chopped onions
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ½ cup crumbled queso fresco (optional)
- Lime wedges
- Salsa or hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Meat
- Season the beef with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, and paprika.
- Blend garlic, chipotle chilies, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, and beef broth to create a marinade.
2. Cook the Barbacoa
Slow Cooker Method:
- Place the beef in the slow cooker and pour the marinade over it.
- Add bay leaves and cover.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours until the meat is fall-apart tender.
Instant Pot Method:
- Use the “Sauté” function to brown the beef.
- Add the marinade and bay leaves, then seal the lid.
- Pressure cook on high for 60 minutes, followed by a 15-minute natural release.
3. Shred and Serve
- Remove the beef, discard bay leaves, and shred with two forks.
- Toss the shredded meat back into the cooking juices for extra flavor.
- Serve in tortillas with fresh toppings and lime wedges.
Notes
- Choose the Right Cut: Chuck roast or brisket works best for tender, juicy meat.
- Marinate Overnight: Let the beef sit in the marinade for extra depth of flavor.
- Low and Slow: If using a slow cooker, cooking on low for a longer time enhances tenderness.
- Crispy Option: For crispy barbacoa, sauté shredded beef in a hot pan for a few minutes before serving.
- Make it Spicy: Add extra chipotle peppers or a pinch of cayenne for more heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 servings