Print the recipe for Barbacoa

Click the button below or select 'File > Print...'

Barbacoa

Bowl of homemade barbacoa. Tender shredded beef, slow-cooked until juicy and flavorful, perfect for tacos and burrito bowls.
  • Serves:  10
  • Prep Time:  20 min

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds chuck roast, cut into 4-inch pieces, fat trimmed
  • 1 large white onion, diced
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice, (from 3 limes)
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, chopped, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt, plus more for seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

For Serving (optional)

  • Corn tortillas, warmed
  • Small white onion, minced
  • Radishes, thinly sliced
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the center position.
  2. Pat the beef dry with paper towels and season all over with salt. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Once the oil is glistening, working in batches, add the meat and cook until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer the meat to a plate. 
  3. Add the onion to the pot and cook, stirring often, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, one minute more. Add the bay leaves. 
  4. In a small bowl, combine the lime juice, beef stock, apple cider vinegar, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add to the Dutch oven along with the beef and bring to a simmer over high heat. Once simmering, cover and transfer to the oven. Roast until the beef is very tender and can be pulled apart easily with a fork, about 2½ to 3 hours. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a large baking dish or rimmed sheet pan, discarding any large pieces of fat.
  5. Use two forks to shred the beef into 1-inch pieces. Return the beef to the Dutch oven and stir to combine.
  6. If using, serve family-style with the tortillas, onion, radishes, and cilantro on the side.