Beef Barbacoa Tacos Recipes

SLOW COOKER BARBACOA-STYLE BEEF TACOS RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Cut the beef into 6-8 large chunks. Season all over with pepper and salt.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef, in batches if necessary, on all sides, until browned. Transfer the seared meat to a slow cooker.
• In a medium bowl, combine the chipotles, garlic, cumin, oregano, cloves, salt, pepper, beef broth, apple cider vinegar, and lime juice. Mix well.
• Pour the marinade over the beef in the slow cooker and add the bay leaves. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, until the meat can be shredded easily.
• Remove and discard the bay leaves. Remove and shred the beef, then return to the slow cooker to marinate in the sauce for at least 10 more minutes, or until ready to serve.
• To serve, add the shredded beef to your choice of tortillas with your favorite toppings.
• Enjoy!

GRILLED BEEF BARBACOA TACOS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill for indirect and direct cooking at medium heat. For gas grills (with 3 or more burners), turn all the burners to medium-high heat; after about 15 minutes turn off one of the middle burners and turn the remaining burners down to medium. For charcoal grills, bank one chimney starter-full of lit and ashed-over charcoal briquettes to one side of the grill. Set up a drip pan on the other side to avoid flare-ups. (Be sure to consult the grill manufacturer's guide for best results.)
• Halve the onions through the root and peel. Cut one half into two wedges. Slice the remaining onion half into 1/8-inch half-moons and reserve for pickling. Drizzle the tomato halves and onion wedges with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the tomato and onion wedges on the hot side of the grill, covered, until dark grill marks appear, about 5 minutes per side.
• Place the grilled tomato and onion in a food processor, along with the 1/4 cup vegetable oil, chopped cilantro, smoked paprika, brown sugar, cumin, oregano, garlic, chipotle peppers, 1 tablespoon cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Blend until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl and add the beef chunks. Toss to coat.
• Lay out a large double-layered sheet of extra-wide heavy-duty foil. Put the beef in the center. (If using regular-width foil, divide the beef into 2 foil packets.) Bring the short ends of the foil together and fold twice to seal; fold in the other sides to seal, leaving room for steam. Place on the indirect side of the grill and cover. Cook until the meat is tender and shreddable, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
• Meanwhile, combine 3/4 cup cider vinegar, 3/4 cup water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. When the liquid comes to a boil, stir in the reserved sliced onions and turn off the heat. Let cool completely and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Shred the beef and return to the sauce; toss well to coat. Serve with warm grilled tortillas, pickled red onions, and other desired toppings.

BARBACOA PULLED-BEEF TACOS

Steps:

• Pour the vinegar and lime juice into a large bowl (it should be able to hold all the beef ). Whisk in the chipotle paste, garlic, spices, herbs, sugar and some seasoning. Mix in the beef, ensuring it's well-coated, then cover and leave to marinate for 1-2 hrs, or chill overnight.
• Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/ gas 3. Put the beef on a plate, then tip the marinade into an ovenproof casserole, along with any bits that have stuck to the bowl. Pour in the stock and bring to a simmer. Add the beef and simmer for 1 min, then cover and cook in the oven for 2 hrs.
• If the beef isn't tender enough to shred, cook for 15 mins more, then check again. Leave until cool enough to handle, then lift onto a board using a slotted spoon. Bring the sauce to the boil and reduce to about 300ml. Meanwhile, roughly shred the beef, discarding any fat or gristle. Stir back into the sauce to reheat, then serve in the casserole dish with the tacos, coriander and toppings on the side for everyone to help themselves.

INSTANT POT BEEF BARBACOA TACOS

Steps:

• Whisk together the vinegar, lime juice, garlic, chipotle, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and cloves in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Press Sauté and use the Sauté or Adjust button to select the highest temperature ("More"). Place the vegetable oil in the inner pot. Wait until the display reads "Hot," about 5 minutes, then add the beef. Cook with the lid off, turning the beef every 2 minutes, until the beef is browned on most sides, about 8 minutes.
• Add the vinegar sauce and the chicken broth (be careful-steam may whoosh up!), and then the bay leaves. Stir to combine.
• Close and lock the lid. Set the valve to Sealing. Press Cancel, then press Manual or Pressure Cook and use the Pressure or Pressure Level button to select High Pressure. Use the - or + button to set the time to 30 minutes.
• When the cooking cycle ends, press Cancel. Allow the appliance to cool and release pressure naturally, about 20 minutes. (The pressure is released when the small metal float valve next to the pressure-release valve sinks back into the lid and the lid is no longer locked.)
• Remove the lid. Discard the bay leaves. Use tongs or a large spoon to remove the beef from the inner pot and place it on a cutting board. Shred the beef using two forks: Use one fork to pull off a chunk and then use two forks to shred that piece, holding down the meat with one fork and pulling at it with the other. Repeat with the remaining beef.
• Serve the beef hot, piled into corn tortillas and topped with salsa and a sprinkling of Cotija cheese, if desired.