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

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Easy Barbacoa

  • ground
  • oregano
  • onion
  • apple cider vinegar
  • garlic
  • tomato paste
  • cumin
  • lime
  • beef stock
  • brisket
  • chipotle
  • bay leaf
  • vegetable oil
  • black pepper
  • salt
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Instant Pot Barbacoa

  • cumin
  • salt
  • chicken stock
  • apple cider vinegar
  • lime juice
  • clove
  • chipotle
  • adobo sauce
  • oregano
  • bay leaf
  • beef
  • vegetable oil
  • black pepper
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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
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Mexican Beef Barbacoa

  • brown sugar
  • apple cider vinegar
  • oregano
  • salt
  • beef
  • chipotle
  • cinnamon
  • water
  • ancho pepper
  • guajillo pepper
  • garlic
  • olive oil
  • salt
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Lamb barbacoa

  • coffee
  • agave nectar
  • oregano
  • cumin
  • carrot
  • onion
  • garlic
  • water
  • cinnamon
  • lamb shoulder
  • guajillo chile
  • ancho chile
  • cilantro
  • onion
  • salsa
  • salt
  • tortilla
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South Texas barbacoa

  • black pepper
  • garlic
  • salt
  • smoked paprika
  • cayenne pepper
  • lime juice
  • beef cheek
  • flour tortilla
  • pico de gallo
  • salsa verde
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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
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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
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Barbacoa

  • mexican oregano
  • cumin
  • black pepper
  • green chile
  • onion
  • beef stock
  • lime juice
  • clove
  • apple cider vinegar
  • salt
  • chipotle
  • beef
  • bay leaf
  • garlic
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Barbacoa

  • lime
  • goat
  • green bean
  • yukon
  • cilantro
  • onion
  • salt
  • red ancho chile
  • chickpea
  • black peppercorn
  • bay leaf
  • guajillo chile
  • clove
  • avocado
  • garlic
  • hoja santa

Ingredient Breakdown

 
salt
garlic
onion
chipotle
apple cider vinegar
cumin
clove
oregano
bay leaf
black pepper
lime juice
beef
cinnamon
water
cilantro
lime
beef stock
vegetable oil
chicken stock
tortilla
goose
canola oil
brown sugar
allspice berry
goat
avocado
mexican oregano
lamb shoulder
guajillo chile
ground
tomato paste
brisket
adobo sauce
goose leg
ancho pepper
guajillo pepper
olive oil
spanish onion
thyme
cumin seed
guijillo chile
coffee
agave nectar
carrot
ancho chile
salsa
cow
banana
beer
smoked paprika
cayenne pepper
beef cheek
flour tortilla
pico de gallo
salsa verde
corn tortilla
oxtail
chile ancho
chile negro
chuck eye roast
new mexico
fish sauce
sugar
white vinegar
tomatillo
jalapeño
guajillo
green chile
unpacked brown sugar
pepper
garlic powder
pork loin roast
green chily
coke zero
tomato sauce
green bean
yukon
red ancho chile
chickpea
black peppercorn
hoja santa

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%