Barbacoa
Barbacoa recipes have been around for centuries, with the earliest known records dating back to the 16th century. The word “barbacoa” comes from the Taíno people of the Caribbean, and originally referred to a method of slow-cooking meat on a wooden platform over a fire.
Over the years, the word “barbacoa” has come to refer to a variety of slow-cooked meats, including beef, lamb, and goat. In Mexico, barbacoa is often made with beef cheek or head, which is why it’s sometimes referred to as “head cheese.”
The slow-cooking process allows the meat to become extremely tender, and the resulting dish is often served with tortillas, salsa, and lime.
Advice
Barbacoa makes for a delicious and comforting meal! For the best results, start by using a high-quality cut of beef, such as chuck roast, brisket, or short ribs. Marinate the meat overnight in a mixture of herbs, spices, and sour oranges for added flavor. Then, slow cook the meat in a covered pot with a generous amount of liquid (water, beef broth, or beer) for 3 to 4 hours. When it’s finished, shred the meat and enjoy with tortillas, salsa, and your favorite toppings. For a unique twist, try adding a few tablespoons of your favorite barbecue sauce to the cooking liquid!
Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights
Recipes
Easy Barbacoa
- ground
- oregano
- onion
- apple cider vinegar
- garlic
- tomato paste
- cumin
- lime
- beef stock
- brisket
- chipotle
- bay leaf
- vegetable oil
- black pepper
- salt
Instant Pot Barbacoa
- cumin
- salt
- chicken stock
- apple cider vinegar
- lime juice
- clove
- chipotle
- adobo sauce
- oregano
- bay leaf
- beef
- vegetable oil
- black pepper
Goose Barbacoa
- black pepper
- tortilla
- salt
- chipotle
- clove
- cumin
- onion
- goose
- apple cider vinegar
- lime juice
- goose
- canola oil
- bay leaf
- chipotle
- garlic
- goose leg
Mexican Beef Barbacoa
- brown sugar
- apple cider vinegar
- oregano
- salt
- beef
- chipotle
- cinnamon
- water
- ancho pepper
- guajillo pepper
- garlic
- olive oil
- salt
BBQ Goat or Lamb: Barbacoa de Cordero
- salt
- clove
- spanish onion
- allspice berry
- goat
- avocado
- thyme
- apple cider vinegar
- mexican oregano
- cumin seed
- guijillo chile
- garlic
Lamb barbacoa
- coffee
- agave nectar
- oregano
- cumin
- carrot
- onion
- garlic
- water
- cinnamon
- lamb shoulder
- guajillo chile
- ancho chile
- cilantro
- onion
- salsa
- salt
- tortilla
Smoked cow head barbacoa
- cow
- banana
- salt
- beer
South Texas barbacoa
- black pepper
- garlic
- salt
- smoked paprika
- cayenne pepper
- lime juice
- beef cheek
- flour tortilla
- pico de gallo
- salsa verde
Better Than Chipotle's Beef Barbacoa Recipe
- salt
- corn tortilla
- oxtail
- chicken stock
- onion
- chile ancho
- chile negro
- chuck eye roast
- new mexico
- clove
- apple cider vinegar
- oregano
- fish sauce
- cumin
- bay leaf
- canola oil
- chipotle
- garlic
Barbacoa
- lime
- goat
- green bean
- yukon
- cilantro
- onion
- salt
- red ancho chile
- chickpea
- black peppercorn
- bay leaf
- guajillo chile
- clove
- avocado
- garlic
- hoja santa
Barbacoa
- mexican oregano
- cumin
- black pepper
- green chile
- onion
- beef stock
- lime juice
- clove
- apple cider vinegar
- salt
- chipotle
- beef
- bay leaf
- garlic
SLOW COOKER SKINNY PULLED PORK BARBACOA
- chipotle
- unpacked brown sugar
- brown sugar
- water
- pepper
- salt
- chipotle
- cumin
- garlic powder
- pork loin roast
- green chily
- coke zero
- tomato sauce
- salt
Barbacoa (Chile-Rubbed Smoked Lamb)
- black pepper
- salt
- salt
- sugar
- cilantro
- oregano
- cinnamon
- white vinegar
- tomatillo
- onion
- lamb shoulder
- jalapeño
- onion
- allspice berry
- clove
- garlic
- garlic
- guajillo
Ingredient Breakdown
Insights
Staple Ingredients
- salt 77%
- garlic 62%
Common Ingredients
- apple cider vinegar 54%
Usual Ingredients
- chipotle 46%
- cumin 46%
- bay leaf 38%
- black pepper 38%
- clove 38%
- onion 38%
- oregano 38%