Published:
Oct 16th 2022
by 
Last updated: Dec 21st 2024
The term Barbacoa refers to a slow cooking style originating in Mexico. The time also can translate to barbeque in the English language. Barbacoa is typically made using tougher cuts of beef, lamb, pork, or goat meat alongside chilies and seasoning, wrapping them in agave leaves and slow roasting them in a fire pit. Different parts of Mexico also use other parts of the animal; some use beef or lamb's head, tongue, and cheeks. The result of cooking is the meat is shredded and added back to the juices it was cooked in and served on corn tortillas with chopped onions and cilantro. In America, you'll mostly find Barbacoa made from beef, still slowly cooked and shredded. In this case, the recipe calls for using the Instant Pot to create a quick and mouthwatering version of this traditional recipe.
To create this Instant Pot Barbacoa recipe, a sauce is made from smokey chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce blended with onions, garlic, lime juice, red wine vinegar, cumin, tinned green chilies, tomato paste, and dried oregano. Beef chuck is seasoned, seared, and cooked for 1 hour in the chipotle mixture and beef stock, resulting in a moist and juicy Barbacoa. Next, it's shredded and added back to the juices it was cooked in. Finally, the Barbacoa is added to warm corn tortillas and topped with chopped onions and cilantro. Barbacoa is even better the next day after the meat sits and marinades overnight. Some other ways to use Barbacoa are adding art to burritos, soup, salads, or even eggs and avocado for breakfast. Make a batch for meal prep during the week, or freeze it for a quick meal on a busy day.
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What cut of meat is barbacoa?
The most commonly found meat for Barbacoa is beef, although lamb, goat, and pork can also be used.
How is traditional barbacoa cooked?
Traditional Barbacoa meat is wrapped in Agave leaves and slowly cooked over an open fire.
What sides go with beef barbacoa?
Barbacoa is typically made into tacos but can also be eaten on its own, added to taco or burrito bowls, and found in soups and hearty stews.
Is barbacoa the same as pulled pork?
Although Barbacoa can be made using pork, pulled pork is cooked using a similar method of simmering the meat for an extended period but is usually cooked in the oven wrapped in foil.
Time & Serves
Ingredients
2 pounds Beef Chuck, trimmed of any excess fat or sinew
1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper, ground
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Chipotle Pepper, tinned, chopped
2 teaspoons Adobo Sauce
1 Yellow Onion, chopped
3 cloves Garlic, chopped
2 Limes, juiced
1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
2 teaspoons ground Cumin
1 (4oz) tin Green Chilies, chopped
2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
1 tablespoon Dried Oregano
1 cup Beef Stock
18 Corn Tortilla Shells, 6 inches
1 small White Onion, chopped
1/4 cup Cilantro, chopped
Instructions
Choose the sauté function on the instant pot adding in the olive oil to heat up for 1 minute.
Season the beef with salt and pepper, and add the meat to the instant pot searing it on each side for 5 minutes to brown it.
Add the chipotle peppers, Adobo sauce, onions, garlic, lime juice, red wine vinegar, cumin, tinned green chilies, tomato paste, and dried oregano to a blender pulsing to combine the ingredients.
Pour the chipotle sauce over the beef along with the beef stock. Attach the lid, setting the instant pot to high pressure for 1 hour.
Once the cooking time is completed, release the pressure and carefully remove the lid.
Allow the beef to cool for 10 minutes before removing the beef from the instant pot placing it onto a cutting board.
Shred the beef using 2 large forks, placing the shredded meat back into the pot, mixing the beef with the cooking liquid.
Place a large pan onto medium-high heat on the stovetop and heat for 1 minute.
Toast the corn tortillas in the pan for 30 seconds per side.
Line the tortillas up on a cutting board or large platter. Add the Barbacoa to each tortilla topping them with chopped onions and cilantro.
Serve warm and enjoy your instant pot Barbacoa!
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