AUTHENTIC MEXICAN BARBACOA RECIPE

Tacos de Barbacoa is what we used to get on Sundays morning for breakfast. It would be either barbacoa de res or menudo. There are certain meals in Mexico that are used for special occasions. Mexican beef Barbacoa is definitely a good one after you had a lot of alcohol the night before. Even when beef is a heavy meal we Mexicans traditionally have it for breakfast if you have a bad hangover! With this authentic Mexican barbacoa recipe, you will find out that there is nothing like tacos de barbacoa with a salsa muy picante! adios a la cruda!

In this Post

1. Barbacoa de Res in English Recipe!
2. What do I need to make Mexican Beef Barbacoa
3. How to marinate Beef to Make Barbacoa Tacos
4. How to Make Barbaco de Res Step by Step
5. What to do with the beef broth
6. What kind of beef should I use yo cook Mexican Barbacoa Tacos de Res
7. How to cook barbacoa of res in Pressure Pot or Instant Pot
8. How to steam barbacoa Mexican Beef
9. How to cook barbacoa de res in the oven
10. Barbacoa Tacos Recipe
11. Toppings for Mexican Barbacoa Tacos

Barbacoa de Res in English Recipe!

I need to be honest and tell you that I almost died when I saw other recipes in English for barbacoa de res. My grandma could die again if she could see how some non-Mexican bloggers are cooking “Authentic Mexican Barbacoa recipe ” no way girls! Authentic Mexican Barbacoa recipe in English is here!

The truth is that the traditional Mexican barbacoa recipe varies a lot depending on the zone of Mexico. The barbacoa de res estilo jalisco is very famous. It is served with beef broth which is amazing but in other parts of Mexico like in the north, Durango, Chihuahua we will have it in tacos without the broth.

I am from the north of Mexico and the barbacoa de hoyo is very traditional, especially in ranches. In the ranchos of Mexico, you will see people making the barbacoa but with goat beef. It tastes spectacular. They make holes in the dirt, set a fire in them, and then wrap the marinated meat in maguey leaves and cook them there. Is your mouth watering get? 

I know it might sound funny but many cultures such as Hawaiians, Maoris in NZ, and other groups cook in holes made in the dirt.  

Now you start to understand why my grandma could die to see us cooking in Instant pots LOL I am just kidding. She would be so jealous! And would have been the first one to have an electrical pressure cooker to make barbacoa, without so much work. ​​​​​​​

Many people have asked me which Instant Pot size would I recommend. That defiantly has to be with how many people you are cooking for.

I have the Nova Duo 8 quart. I cook daily for 5 people but usually, what I cook for dinner we also have it the next day for lunch or dinner. That way I try to cook natural homemade meals for my family without going crazy all day in the kitchen.

Here are the options to choose the perfect Instant Pot for your family

The Duo Nova is 7 appliances in 1: pressure cooker, sauté pan, steamer, slow cooker, rice cooker, food warmer, and yogurt maker. Clear the clutter from your counter and do it all with just one tool.

3 Quart is great for cooking rice, side dishes, or meals for up to 3 people.

6 Quart is the perfect size for feeding up to 6 people.

8 Quart is perfect for large families or whipping up big batches of prepared meals for the week.

10 Quart is Instant Pot’s largest pressure cooker yet, ideal for preparing larger meals to feed a crowd or to stock the freezer with family dinners.

Anyway, you have to promise me as I am giving you the best Beef Barbacoa Recipe that if you travel to Mexico you will find a place where they sell tacos de barbacoa de hoyo and eat them! Not afraid of the Moctezuma revenge! (I do have my own theory about Moctezuma Revenge)

Well, let’s get started with this recipe…

What do I need to make Mexican Beef Barbacoa

These portions are for 6 people. This is the recipe for Chihuahuas style Barbacoa (North of Mexico barbacoa recipe)

• 2 guajillo chile​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
• 1 Red hot chili (chile de arbol)
• ½ teaspoon of Cumin
• 1 spoon of Oregano
• ½ Onion
• 5 Garlic cloves
• 1 spoon Salt
• 6 whole black pepper
• 3 Bay leaves​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

How to marinate Beef to Make Barbacoa Tacos

Place on a grill:

5 garlic cloves

1/2 onion

1 chile de Arbol

2 guajillo peppers

How to Make Barbaco de Res Step by Step

Toast these ingredients well, taking care that the chilies do not burn. They toast fast so remove them before the onion and garlic.

Put all the toasted ingredients in the blender together with 1 tsp of oregano 1/2 tsp of cumin, 1 tbsp of salt, and 3 bay leaves. Add 1 cup of water and blend everything very well.

With the sauce, you created marinate the meat for one night in the refrigerator. If you don’t have time, don’t worry, I prepared it without marinating and it is delicious, so if you marinate it, it will be gourmet (almost like barbacoa de hoyo)

Put the meat in the Instant pot together with the marinade and activate the Meat / Stew button in your Instant Pot and let it cook.

Once it is finished and you can open the pot, let the meat cool a little and crumble it. There you have your healthy barbacoa… do you want to know the secret of the barbacoa street tacos? They actually fry the beef.

Do you want to take your barbacoa tacos to another level of flavor (and cholesterol)? Drop some oil in the pan and fry the shredded beef. There you have the most amazing and authentic Mexican barbacoa homemade by yourself! Awesome! 

What to do with the beef broth

As I told you some people serve the barbacoa with some broth. In Chihuahua, we heat it dry and we have the broth apart. What I did was to add a bunch of cilantro, add another 5 cups of water, half a spoon of salt, half onion, and put it in the soup cooking option. There is a consommé to lick your fingers, you can add cooked chickpeas and there you have the next day’s food.

What kind of beef should I use yo cook Mexican Barbacoa Tacos de Res

The type of beef I use depends on how I want to prepare it. If you are looking for a low-fat and healthy barbacoa recipe, chambarete is the option. Chambarete: if you are looking for a low-fat and healthier-fit barbecue.

• Beef brisket: It is very delicious and soft, I try to cut off the extra pieces of fat.
• Chuck roast or Pot roast chuck roast. 
• For this recipe, I used chuck roast and it worked perfectly and was delicious.

How to cook barbacoa of res in Pressure Pot or Instant Pot

The first thing is to season the meat very well with the recipe that I share with you and preferably leave it to marinate from the night before. If you do not have time you do not worry just put everything in the amounts mentioned in the pot and it is delicious in any way.

Once the pot reaches the indicated pressure, it takes about 30 minutes to cook the meat for the barbecue. If you are using Instant Pot put it in the Meat / Stew function.

How to steam barbacoa Mexican Beef

Place the marinated meat on a large piece of foil. Wraps the marinated beef in the aluminum and closes the edges very well so that the steam cannot escape and much more importantly the juice. Steam for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

How to cook barbacoa de res in the oven

Season the meat and leave it to marinate overnight. To cook beef barbacoa in the oven, place the meat in an ovenproof dish and cover it very well with aluminum foil so that the steam does not escape. Bake at 360 degrees for 40 minutes. Check and if it is missing a little more, put it back for another 20 minutes. 

Barbacoa Tacos Recipe

Barbacoa tacos recipe is very easy to make. Tacos de barbacoa in Chihuahua is used a lot for breakfast, especially after a good fiesta! such as a TornaBoda (a wedding next day party) or a colorful quinceañera. Preparing Mexican barbacoa tacos is very easy. First of all, you must follow my barbacoa recipe step by step and also prepare what you will need to assemble the tacos.

Toppings for Mexican Barbacoa Tacos

• Mexican Beef barbacoa, goat or lamb barbacoa.
• Finely chopped cilantro
• Onion chopped into small squares
• Salsa Roja
• Avocado (optional)
• Pico de gallo (optional)
• lime
• Corn or flour tortillas

Place the tortillas on the griddle and start heating the tortilla on both sides without getting toasted. To heat tortillas, just place them on a hot griddle, you don’t need oil or anything else. Once the tortillas are hot, place some barbacoa in the middle, and on the barbacoa you can add chopped onion, cilantro, and Mexican sauce to taste. Some people also like to put avocado or pico de gallo on top of their tacos de barbacoa. Here I share some delicious hot sauce recipes that go perfectly with barbacoa tacos

Arriba Chihuahua! See you next time you are hungry.

Laura

Mexican Salsa for Tacos de Barbacoa

This is the perfect Barbacoa tacos Mexican Salsa

Made out of chile de árbol this delicious sauce pairs great with barbacoa. Click for recipe

Avocado Salsa for Tacos

This salsa de aguacate is about to become your fave taco salsa!

Made with jalapeno, cilantro avocado. This is a super easy salsa recipe that goes great with Barbacoa Tacos! recipe here

Marinated Arrachera Recipe

My dad’s secret recipe for marinating flank steak!
See recipe

Authentic Mexican Guacamole

The perfect companion for your tacos! A delicious 100% Mexican guacamole
See recipe

Grilled Suffed Poblanos

Your next carne asada does not have to be only steak, arrachera, and guacamole! these grilled stuffed poblanos are about to become your next huge success at the grill
See recipe