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Mexican Barbacoa
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5 from 3 votes

Slow Cooker Mexican Barbacoa

Traditional Barbacoa (where we get the English term Barbeque) is a method of slow cooking tough cuts of beef, cheek or entire cow heads, the tongue, whole goats or sheep in a spicy mixture of lime juice, cumin, garlic, and other seasonings. Although this term and the process was developed in the Caribbean by the Taino Tribe centuries ago, the Mexican Barbacoa is probably the most widely known
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time6 hours
Total Time6 hours 20 minutes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Barbacoa, Beef, Taco
Servings: 20
Calories: 184kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Crock-Pot

Ingredients

  • 5 Pounds Chuck Roast or Brisket 2-inch chunks
  • 5-6 Chiles in Adobo
  • 1 Tablespoon Garlic Crushed and chopped
  • 1/4 Cup Lime Juice Fresh
  • 1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin
  • 1 Tablespoon Oregano Preferably Mexican
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Salt (I use 1 teaspoon per pound of beef)
  • 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2 Jalapenos Halved
  • 1 Tablespoon Molasses or Brown Sugar
  • 1/4 Cup Water

Garnish

  • Diced White Onion
  • Chopped Cilantro
  • Lime Wedges
  • Red and Green Salsa
  • Warn Corn Tortillas
  • Rice and Beans

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker, stir to combine
  • On high, 6-hours. On low 9-hours
  • With 1-hour left to cook, skim excess fat from the surface before you stir. Stir
  • At the end of cooking, skim excess fat from the surface
  • Use 2-forks to shred the Barbacoa

To Serve

  • Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat, toast corn tortillas on each side for about 10-15 seconds
  • Place about ¼ cup of drained Barbacoa on each tortilla
  • Top with chopped onions, cilantro, fresh lime wedges, and hot sauce
  • Serve plain white rice and my Tex-Mex Black Beans recipe as sides
Nutrition Facts
Slow Cooker Mexican Barbacoa
Amount Per Serving
Calories 184 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 70mg23%
Sodium 661mg29%
Potassium 390mg11%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 24g48%
Vitamin A 211IU4%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 13mg1%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.