Mexican Barbacoa Beef Recipe

1. Cut the beef brisket into large chunks.
2. Season the beef generously with salt and pepper.
3. Add a dash of oil to a large pan and heat to a high temperature. You need the pan to be very hot so that the meat will sear properly.
4. Add the beef chunks to the hot pan and brown them well on all sides. A proper sear is essential, as this adds a huge amount of flavour to the final dish.
5. When the beef is browned, remove it from the pan and set it aside.

To make the barbacoa sauce, place all of the sauce ingredients (smoked paprika, sriracha, dark ale/beef stock, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, garlic cloves, ground cumin, oregano, ground cloves, and chipotle powder) together in a food processor and blitz until you have a smooth sauce.

There are several options for cooking the beef, although all require a good amount of time to achieve the best results.

Oven Method:

1. Place the seared beef and the blended sauce into a casserole dish or large oven-ready pot. Add the bay leaves.
2. Place in a preheated oven at 160°C/140°C Fan/Gas Mark 3 for three and a half hours.
3. To ensure the beef doesn't dry out, you can cover with a lid or foil prevent too much steam from escaping.

Slow Cooker Method:

1. Place the seared beef in a slow cooker.
2. Cover it with the sauce and add the bay leaves.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours.

Once the cooking time is complete, remove the beef from the pot. Shred the tender beef using two forks, similar to how you would prepare pulled pork.

You can then serve the shredded beef in wraps, on tacos, on nachos, or as part of a burrito bowl. A very simple serving suggestion is over rice with the sauce from the pot spooned on top, with a side of sliced avocados and salsa.

What is barbacoa?

Barbacoa is a traditional Mexican cooking method where meat is slow-cooked until tender. It typically uses beef but sometimes lamb and goat. Barbacoa is shredded and often served in tacos.

Originally, barbacoa was cooked in underground pits lined with rocks. The meat was wrapped in agave leaves while it cooks to retain the moisture.

Today, barbacoa is often prepared as slow-cooked beef, particularly in Mexican-inspired dishes outside Mexico. It’s a popular choice for many when it comes to Mexican food, especially due to its milder flavour.

Is barbacoa the same as birria?

Despite some similarities, barbacoa and birria are different dishes. Barbacoa is typically made through slow roasting, whereas birria is a stew. Birria typically features more chilli, making it more spicy than barbacoa.

Is beef barbacoa healthy?

Beef barbacoa is considered to be relatively healthy, especially when made at home. It’s high in protein, but the nutritional value depends on what you serve it with/in.

How spicy is barbacoa?

Barbacoa is considered mild to mid-level spicy. It has more of a smoky and tangy flavour rather than spicy, ideal if you’re not a fan of overly spicy Mexican food.