Barbacoa is a traditional Mexican dish that originated from slow-cooking beef, lamb, or goat until tender and juicy. It’s often cooked in a pit, but this recipe simplifies things for home kitchens by using a slow cooker or pressure cooker.
Ingredients:
- For the Barbacoa:
- 3 lbs beef chuck roast or brisket, cut into large chunks
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 3 bay leaves
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- For the Tacos:
- Corn tortillas (or flour, if preferred)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Diced white onion
- Lime wedges
- Salsa of your choice
Instructions:
- Prepare the Barbacoa:
- In a slow cooker or pressure cooker, place the beef chunks.
- Add minced garlic, chopped onions, chipotle peppers, cumin, oregano, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, salt, and ground cloves.
- Pour in the beef broth and lime juice, then add the bay leaves.
- Cook the Meat:
- For a slow cooker, cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the meat is fork-tender.
- For a pressure cooker, cook on high pressure for 60 minutes, then allow a natural release for 15 minutes before releasing the remaining pressure.
- Shred the Meat:
- Once the beef is tender, remove it from the cooker, discard the bay leaves, and use two forks to shred the meat. Return the shredded beef to the juices in the pot to absorb the flavors.
- Assemble the Tacos:
- Warm the tortillas on a skillet or directly over the flame.
- Fill each tortilla with the barbacoa meat.
- Top with fresh cilantro, diced onions, a squeeze of lime juice, and salsa.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve the barbacoa tacos with lime wedges on the side and enjoy!
These tacos can be easily customized with additional toppings like avocado, queso fresco, or radishes. The slow-cooked beef will be tender, juicy, and packed with smoky, spicy flavor. Perfect for a weekend feast or a casual taco night!
