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Barbacoa served with tortillas and lime slices
Authentic Mexican Barbacoa with tender beef

Barbacoa

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses
Barbacoa is not to be confused with BBQ, though they share a common etymology. This Mexican technique involves slowly steaming tough, collagen-rich cuts (like cheek or brisket). Originally, the meat was roasted in a pit dug in the ground, wrapped in agave leaves. In our version, vinegar and slow cooking do the work: acids loosen the fibres, and long heat treatment melts tendons into gelatin, making the meat juicy and shreddable with a fork.
🕒 Prep Time 20 mins
🍳 Cook Time 8 hrs
⌛ Total Time 8 hrs 20 mins
🍽️ Servings 6 servings
🔥 Calories 460 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Mexican

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Slow Cooker or cast iron pot
  • Blender

Instructions

1 ✓

Cut the meat into large cubes (approx. 5x5 cm), season with salt and pepper, and quickly sear in a frying pan to form a crust.

Tip: Although many recipes say it can go into the cooker raw, searing (Maillard reaction) deepens the meaty flavours.
2 ✓

Blend the chipotle, onion, garlic, spices (except bay leaf), vinegar, and stock until smooth.

Tip: This marinade not only flavours but creates an acidic environment via the vinegar for tenderising.
3 ✓

Place the meat in the slow cooker (or iron pot), pour over the sauce, and toss in the bay leaf.

Tip: The liquid should half-cover the meat.
4 ✓

Cook on low for 8 hours (or in oven at 140°C for 4-5 hours).

Tip: It's done when a fork slides into the meat without resistance.
5 ✓

Remove the meat, shred into strands with two forks, then fold back into the juices.

Tip: The meat fibres absorb the spicy juices at this point.
6 ✓

Serve on warm tortillas, drizzled with fresh lime juice.

Tip: The freshness of the lime 'lifts' the heavy, fatty meat.

Recipe FAQ

Can Chipotle be substituted?
Chipotle is smoked jalapeño, which gives the 'earthy' flavour. It can be replaced with smoked paprika, but the taste won't be the same.
Why isn't it tender?
You didn't cook it long enough. Collagen needs time (min. 4-6 hours) to break down. Be patient!

Ingredients

  • 1.5 kg Beef brisket or neck (fattier cut)
  • 3 pcs Chipotle peppers (canned, in adobo sauce)
  • 1 head Onion
  • 5 cloves Garlic
  • 1 tsp Ground cumin
  • 1 tsp Dried oregano
  • 2 pcs Cloves
  • 50 ml Apple cider vinegar
  • 100 ml Beef stock
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Black pepper
  • 2 pcs Bay leaves
  • 1 pc Lime