Barbacoa Recipe – Mexican Shredded Beef

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This Mexican Shredded Beef is ULTRA-TENDER and bursting with bold, rich flavor! This Barbacoa recipe is so easy, fool-proof and requires just 8 simple ingredients! Cook this beef barbacoa once and use it in various meals throughout the week or freeze it! This pulled barbacoa meat is 10x better than any restaurant and guaranteed to become your family’s favorite easy Mexican meal! (Barbacoa taco recipe included!)

You can prepare this Mexican beef in the slow cooker, crockpot, oven, or on the stovetop! Plus, this tender beef is SO versatile – use it in salads, quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos, casseroles, sandwiches, soups, even eggs and MORE! Continue to read on for pro-tips on making barbacoa and easy tricks for building the perfect beef tacos!

Update: This barbacoa recipe was originally published in October 2020. I’ve made updates to the post below to include more information about beef barbacoa, as well as tips and tricks for making the cooking process easy and stress-free!

Hi, friends! I am super excited for today’s recipe! If you have been searching for some next level beefy goodness, you have come to the right place! Today’s recipe isn’t just absolutely delicious, it’s also a breeze to prepare! It’s one of our favorite beef recipes, and after one bite I’m positive it will become your family’s favorite too!

About this Mexican Beef Barbacoa recipe

This shredded beef is legitimately epic! It’s crazy tender, insanely succulent and just melts-in-your-mouth!

This recipe features beef chuck roast generously seasoned with smoky, warm spices, plus fragrant dried herbs before it’s slowly-braised in a flavorful, complex barbacoa sauce flavored with spicy chipotle chiles. The end result? Mind-blowing! This shredded beef barbacoa is moist, ridiculously tender and smothered in a smoky, rich chipotle sauce! If you are worried about the spicy heat from the chipotles, don’t be – this slow cooker barbacoa beef recipe is completely flexible! You can easily adjust the recipe to be as mild or spicy as you and your family prefer!

Aside from this Mexican beef being irresistibly delicious and finger-licking-good, it’s also a total breeze to prepare! It requires mere minutes of hands-on preparation and you can cook it three different ways – in the oven, slow cooker (crockpot) or on the stove! It’s a Mexican dinner made quick and easy!

Plus, this flavorful pulled beef just gets better with time and leftovers store beautifully in the refrigerator or freezer! You can cook it once, and then reheat it gently on the stove top or in the microwave and eat it for days! This Mexican shredded beef is astoundingly versatile and can be used in limitless ways!  Utilize it as a filling for tacos, burritos and enchiladas, or as a topping for nachos and taco salads for a Mexican-themed meal! Or, shake things up and use it in Mexican casseroles, omelettes, sandwiches, soups and more!

What is Mexican shredded beef?

Barbacoa is a method of cooking meat (traditionally lamb or goat, although beef or pork is often used today) that produces irresistibly tender meat with melt-in-your-mouth texture and robust flavor! The term “barbacoa” (Spanish for “barbecue”) can refer to both the preparation (cooking) of the meat and the meat itself.

Traditionally, the meat is steam-cooked in a hole in the ground; however, modern preparations include cooking over an open fire, on the stovetop, or in a crockpot or oven. Most food historians believe barbacoa originated in the Caribbean. As this method of cooking gained popularity it made its way to Mexico and then across the boarder into the United States of America where the Tex-Mex restaurant chain Chipotle made beef barbacoa a house-hold name.

What ingredients do I need for the best barbacoa?

You’ll need eight simple ingredients, plus a few pantry staples to make this simple Mexican beef dinner! 

• Beef: You can use a few different cuts of beef for this barbacoa recipe, such as a beef chuck roast or beef cheeks (see below). Make sure you trim any excess fat and cut the beef into large pieces, roughly 3-inches each in size.
• Seasoning Blend: A combination of Mexican dried herbs and spices, along with kosher salt and ground black pepper, provide deeply savory and slightly spicy flavor. (See below for more information on Barbacoa seasoning.)
• Oil: You will need two tablespoons of neutral oil to sear and brown the beef roast. You can use vegetable oil or canola oil; however, make sure it’s a good quality brand!
• Onion: One yellow onion adds a touch of delicate, astringent flavor.
• Garlic: Fresh cloves of garlic provide the best distinctive, punchy taste!
• Tomato Paste: Two tablespoons of thick tomato paste add a rich, meaty flavor.
• Chipotle Peppers: Canned chipotle chili peppers in adobo give the barbacoa sauce a deliciously spicy, smoky kick! Please scale the amount of chili peppers to your personal taste, using less chipotle peppers for a mild sauce and more for a fiery hot sauce! Tip: Freeze any remaining chilis and use them at a later date!
• Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice provides the perfect tart acidity and balances out the Mexican beef sauce!
• Stock: Beef stock adds a ton of flavor and prevents the beef from drying out! Stock has a super-luscious, rich mouthfeel; however, you can substitute beef broth or chicken broth if that’s what you have on hand!
• Picante: Picante is similar to traditional salsa, just with a thinner consistency. Picante sauce infuses the Mexican-style sauce with a savory tomato flavor, as well as a mildly spicy taste. You can find it located in the Mexican or international aisle of most major grocery stores.

What spices are used in Mexican shredded beef?

This barbacoa seasoning blend is the secret ingredient to ultra-flavorful Mexican beef! This simple combination of classic dried herbs and spices provide a ton of robust flavor! However, this barbacoa seasoning recipe is totally flexible and easy to customize! You can easily omit any spices you don’t have on hand or simply don’t love! Or, if you are in a pinch, try using a store-bought or homemade taco seasoning instead!

Seasonings for Barbacoa beef

• Cumin: While cumin is used more often in Tex-Mex than traditional Mexican cuisine, it delivers a distinctive earthy flavor.
• Oregano: Mexican oregano offers a pungent flavor with a subtle hint of citrus and licorice. If you can’t find Mexican oregano, you can use regular oregano; however, do not substitute Mediterranean oregano!
• Smoked Paprika: While it’s not a traditional Mexican spice, I absolutely love smoked paprika. It provides deliciously rich, smoky flavor. You can substitute chipotle powder for a similar smoky flavor. Or, you can use regular or sweet paprika for a more traditional blend.
• Chile Powder: Chile powder is made from dried ground chiles. I prefer to use ancho chile powder (moderately spicy) or chipotle chili powder (spicy) in this blend.
• Onion Powder: Onion powder provides a subtle onion kick.
• Garlic Powder: Garlic powder has a pungent flavor that plays well in this blend.
• Coriander: Ground coriander comes from the whole dried seeds of the cilantro plant. It has a citrusy, floral and sweet flavor.
• Bay Leaf: One Dried bay leaf adds a slightly floral and herbal flavor. Be sure to use a Mexican Bay leaf if you are looking for authentic flavor!
• Salt and Pepper: Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper enhance all the flavors and allow the other ingredients in the blend to come together and shine through.

What can I add to my Mexican seasoning blend?

• Achiote powder: Achiote is made from the ground seeds of the annatto tree and it’s a common ingredient in Mexican cuisine. It is sweet and earthy in flavor.
• Allspice: Despite common misconception, allspice isn’t a blend of multiple spices – it’s actually the dried unripe berry of a Pimenta dioica tree. It’s an aromatic spice that flavors savory dishes beautifully.
• Anise: Ground anise has a sweet, fragrant aroma with a licorice-like taste. Be sure to use anise sparingly!
• Cayenne: If you like a lot of heat, add a bit of cayenne! It offers up a pungent aroma with a spicy, slightly earthy and neutral peppery flavor.
• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon or a cinnamon stick adds a depth of flavor with a woodsy, sweet spice taste.
• Cocoa powder: While it may seem like an odd addition, unsweetened cocoa powder beautifully accentuates the smoky flavors found in this blend.

Is Mexican beef spicy?

Traditional Mexican food is moderately spicy, depending upon the region. This beef barbacoa recipe uses a variety of seasoning to flavor the barbacoa meat and barbacoa chipotle sauce. You can easily adjust this Mexican beef to be as mellow and mild, or as fiery and hot as you like – which makes it perfect for feeding your whole family!

To adjust the heat level:

• Chipotle Peppers: If you prefer an extremely mild dish, omit the chopped chipotle peppers in the dish; however, don’t omit the chipotle sauce! For moderately spicy Mexican beef, use 3-5 peppers. If you prefer to bring on the heat, use seven or more chipotle peppers!
• Cayenne: If you like your Mexican-style beef flaming hot try adding some cayenne pepper to your Mexican spice rub!
• Fresh Lime Juice: If you have fully prepared the shredded beef and find it to be too spicy, add a liberal amount of fresh lime juice. Acid does wonders for balancing out the spiciness.
• Dairy: If you have tried everything and still find the dish to be too hot, add a dollop of sour cream or even plain yogurt to the top of your pulled beef. Dairy has a wonderful cooling effect and is fantastic at counteracting spicy foods!

What cut of beef is best for beef barbacoa?

Mexican shredded beef is very easy and forgiving to prepare, however it’s imperative you start with the correct cut of beef!

While it may seem counterintuitive, the best cuts of beef for barbacoa are tough cuts of meat. Tougher cuts contain plenty of marbling and connective tissue. These tougher cuts become melt-in-your-mouth-tender and succulent after hours of cooking over low heat! There are two cuts of beef typically used to make Mexican pulled pork – beef chuck roast and beef cheeks; however, there is another cut that works great too!

Best meat for barbacoa

• Chuck Roast: Beef chuck roast, which can also be labeled as chuck pot roast, shoulder roast, chuck eye roast or arm chuck, is one of the most common cuts of beef for preparing barbacoa! This cut is taken from the shoulder area of the cow and contains a good amount of marbling (or fat), which creates ultra-tender beef, perfect for shredding! I personally use this cut when making barbacoa as it’s easy to find!  Tip: This slow cooker barbacoa recipe calls for approximately 4 pounds of boneless beef. If you can’t find a single roast that large at the store, you can use two smaller roasts instead!
• Beef Cheeks: Beef cheeks are the other most popular cut of beef used to prepare barbacoa meat! This cut contains more fat marbling and connective tissue than a chuck roast, so it will result is slightly juicier pulled beef! However, beef cheeks are not easy to find.
• Short Ribs: Boneless beef short ribs are a great alternative to the above cuts of beef! Make sure you use short ribs that are well, but not overly marbled!

Other cuts of beef

• Brisket: Beef brisket is from the foreshank/brisket part of the cow. This is a leaner cut which can turn out dry, so I would avoid using it. However, if you want to use this cut, look for a slab of brisket that is very well marbled with plenty of fat.
• Bottom Round: The round is from rear leg of the cow. It is leaner than all of the cuts listed above. I recommend avoiding this cut when preparing beef barbacoa; however, if you have your heart set on using it, look for a bottom round roast that has a plenty of marbling running through it!

Pro-tip: The quality of your beef is also important! USDA Prime beef has the most marbling and is of the highest quality. USDA Choice has less marbling than prime, while USDA Select is the bottom grade with the least amount of marbling. Remember that marbling helps transform tough meat into tender beef after cooking. For the best shredded beef, use the best quality meat.

Can I use chicken or pork instead of beef?

Absolutely! If you don’t eat beef, or if you simply prefer a different type of meat, you can use either chicken or pork instead!

• Mexican Pulled Chicken: Chicken thighs are incredibly moist and flavorful, which make them a wonderful alternative to beef!
• Shredded Mexican Pork: Pork shoulder roast is from the shoulder of the pig. Shredded pork shoulder has a very similar texture to shredded chuck roast!

How do you shred beef quickly?

Once you have chosen your cut of beef and slowly cooked it to juicy perfection, shredding it into individual strands of tender meat is a breeze! The entire process for making Mexican barbacoa is quick, easy and doesn’t require any fancy tools or kitchen gadgets!

• Two Forks: To shred beef, place two large forks adjacent to each other, with their backs facing each other. Pull the forks in opposite directions, breaking the beef into long shreds as you pull. Discard any large bits of fat or gristle. Repeat pulling the forks apart until all your beef is shredded.
• Meat Claws: If you prepare Mexican shredded beef or pulled pork often, you may want to consider purchasing meat-shredder claws. This kitchen tool makes shredding beef a breeze. You employ the same method – pulling – as if you were using forks (like above).

Pro-tip: Avoid shredding or pulling your Mexican beef too finely or it may cause the meat to dry out! Thick, juicy, succulent shreds of barbacoa beef are the end goal!

How to make Mexican shredded beef?

This Mexican pulled beef recipe is super simple to prepare and can be made in the oven, crockpot or on the stove! (Don’t forget to scroll down for the detailed instructions in the complete printable recipe at the bottom of the page.)

1. Combine seasoning blend: Add all the barbacoa seasonings to a small bowl. Stir well to combine.
2. Season beef: Place the pieces of beef on a clean work surface. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the seasoning blend all over the beef. Use your hands to rub the spices into the beef.
3. Sear beef (optional, but recommended): Heat oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot. Add the beef and sear until well browned on all sides. Remove from pot and set aside.
4. Sauté vegetables: Add a splash of oil to the pot and add in the onions. Sauté until softened. Add the garlic and remaining seasoning blend. Cook until fragrant. Add the tomato paste and chopped chipotles. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
5. Deglaze + add beef: Add the lime juice to deglaze the pan. Cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the adobo sauce, stock, picante sauce and bay leaf. Add the seared beef to the pot.
6. Cover + cook: Bring the barbacoa sauce and beef to a simmer. Cover the pot and reduce heat to low. Simmer covered for 3 – 3 ½ hours, or until the meat tender and begins to fall apart.
7. Shred beef: Turn off the heat under the pot. Use two forks to shred the beef right in the barbacoa sauce.
8. Gently simmer to warm: Adjust the heat to low and gently simmer the Mexican beef for 10-15 minutes.
9. Serve: Transfer the Mexican pulled beef to a serving dish and enjoy! Or, serve it up as barbacoa tacos! (Scroll down to read all about how to make the perfect beef taco!)

How to know when beef is done cooking?

It’s almost impossible to overcook this Mexican chuck roast – as long as the moisture (cooking liquid) in your pot or slow cooker is maintained! However, once the beef starts to become tender, you want to keep an eye on it, as the texture can become mushy and unappetizing if it cooks for too long.

Barbacoa meat is perfectly done when it’s fork-tender and easily falls apart with a little bit of pressure. If your Mexican shredded meat isn’t fall-apart-tender, then it needs a little bit longer to cook! Simply continue to cook the beef, checking every 30 minutes for doneness, until the homemade barbacoa meat easily pulls apart with the help of two forks.

How to store cooked beef?

Allow the cooked and shredded Mexican beef to cool completely. Add a little bit of the cooking juices to the leftover shredded meat – use enough to just barely moisten the barbacoa beef. Toss the beef to coat it in the juices. Place the leftover barbacoa in an airtight container and pour the remaining cooking liquid (barbacoa sauce) into another. Store both in the refrigerator for up to four days. To further extend the shelf life of cooked beef, freeze it (see below).

Can you freeze it?

This Mexican braised beef freezes beautifully! In fact, I always make a double or triple batch to have on hand for quick and easy meals! Having homemade Mexican beef stocked in the freezer makes meal prep an absolute breeze!

To freeze beef barbacoa, cook and shred the beef according to the recipe instructions. Remove the beef from the cooking liquid. Allow both the beef and liquid to cool completely. Once cooled, toss the beef with just enough of the liquid to barely moisten the meat. Transfer the beef and liquid to separate heavy-duty freezer bags. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To use, thaw the beef and cooking liquid in refrigerator overnight.

To reheat, preheat an oven to 250 degrees F. Transfer the beef to a baking dish and toss with some of the cooking liquid. Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Reheat in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the braised beef is heated through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

How to serve Mexican beef?

This Mexican beef recipe is incredibly versatile! You can use it in numerous dishes, making it the perfect foundation for various quick and easy meals! It’s the perfect meal prep recipe! You can cook this beef once and then repurpose it into exciting different meals throughout the week!

Traditional ways to use beef barbacoa

• Tacos: Tuck succulent shredded beef into a taco. (See below.)
• Soup: Stir beef into taco soup for a hearty upgrade.
• Salad: Create a Mexican salad by spooning beef over cilantro jalapeno coleslaw and top with your favorite vegetables, cheese, salsa and sour cream.
• Eggs: Substitute shredded beef for ground beef in your beefy Huevos Rancheros.
• Nachos: Add a generous pile of beef to your favorite cheesy nachos.
• Torta: Create a delicious Mexican Torta with a generous helping of beef along with beans, avocado, pepper and your favorite cheese.
• Burrito: Fill a large flour tortilla with shredded beef, beans, rice, veggies and cheese. Roll it up and chow down.
• Bowls: Top a bed of rice or shredded lettuce with Mexican beef plus your favorite burrito fillings!
• Quesadillas: Use beef as a filling in quesadillas with plenty of melty cheese!
• Enchiladas: Make traditional rolled beef enchiladas or take the easy route and make a stacked beef enchilada casserole!

Less traditional ways to serve Mexican barbacoa

• Eggs: Use beef as a filling for omelettes or use it to make Mexican-style scrambled eggs!
• Chili: Do you love homemade beef chili, but don’t have time? Skip browning ground beef in your favorite recipe and add the beef when you stir in the canned beans!
• Sandwich: Layer beef, sliced avocado, sliced tomato and pepper jack cheese between your favorite toasted roll or bun!
• Loaded fries: Make Mexican-style poutine!
• Baked Potatoes: Load up a baked potato or stuff a potato skin with a pile of beef and don’t forget extra sour cream!
• Pasta: Replace ground beef with shredded beef in your favorite taco pasta!
• Lasagna: Love classic Italian lasagna? Switch things up with and make a beefy Mexican lasagna! Try using ravioli instead of lasagna noodles for a heartier twist!

How to make Mexican beef tacos?

You can easily make flavorful, restaurant-quality tacos with this shredded beef barbacoa recipe!  Set out individual bowls with various taco toppings to create a taco bar at home! Or serve your pulled beef tacos street-style – with onion, fresh cilantro and plenty of lime juice!

Building a Mexican shredded beef taco is incredibly simple! As long as you start with the best taco meat (this succulent shredded beef), and use your favorite toppings – layered in the right order – you will have perfect tacos in no time! Below are few helpful expert tips to help improve your Mexican taco night!

How to build the perfect barbacoa tacos

• Tortillas: Warm tortillas are where a great taco starts! Flour tortillas are great for larger, but messier tacos. Smaller corn tortillas aren’t as sturdy as flour tortillas, however they have a superior taste. No matter what tortilla you select, make sure you select a quality brand. And, be sure to warm them up before filling!
• Grated cheese: If you prefer melty cheese in your taco, layer on the cheese first. Use freshly grated or shredded cheese for the best taste!
• Beef: Next up comes the melt-in-your-mouth-tender homemade barbacoa! And, don’t be stingy where the beef is concerned!
• Beans or Rice: If beans and rice are your thing, add them after the beef.
• Veggies: Fresh chopped vegetables go on next!
• Cheese: I’m a huge fan of crumbled queso fresco or Cotija cheese on tacos – a little bit goes a long way. However, warm queso cheese is delicious too!
• Lettuce or Slaws: Add the lettuce second to last last, before any salsas, sour cream or hot sauces. Adding the lettuce close to the top of the taco will help prevent it from wilting.
• Salsa and sauces: Next, add salsa, sour cream or guacamole on top of the lettuce. Placing the wet ingredients on last helps prevent your taco from becoming soggy.
• Hot sauce: A final drizzle of your favorite Mexican hot sauce  provides the perfect flash of delicious heat!

Tips for the perfect pulled beef taco

• Don’t overstuff: Try not to overstuff your taco with too many fillings! It can be tempting to load up each tortilla with all your favorites. However, don’t do it! You need to fold the tortilla over your fillings. Tacos aren’t a knife and fork meal!
• Consider your fillings: Aim for a balance of flavors! Consider pairing spicy salsas with cooling vegetables or sour cream. And, the same goes for texture – pair tender slow cooker barbacoa meat with crunchy, fresh toppings.!
• Eat them fresh: Tacos get soggy. Make sure you eat them immediately!

Toppings for Mexican shredded beef tacos

• Shredded Cabbage Mexican-style or Coleslaw with Jalapeno
• Crumbled cheese, shredded cheese, or queso cheese sauce
• Pickled Onions
• Tomatoes
• Olives
• Pickled jalapenos
• Sauteed mushrooms
• Roasted butternut squash (cubes)
• Fresh Cilantro
• Rice
• Sliced avocado or Guacamole
• Pico de Gallo or Salsa
• Sour cream
• Hot sauce
• Lime wedges

What sides to serve it with?

Looking for delicious sides to pair with bold crockpot barbacoa? Below is a list of Mexican dishes to round out your beef dinner!

• Classic salsa or Tomatillo Salsa Verde and chips
• Queso dip and warm tortilla chips
• Mexican avocado corn Salad
• Easy Mexican Coleslaw
• Mexican Bean Salad
• Cilantro Lime Rice
• Healthy Mexican Rice
• Refried Beans

If you love tender beef, you are going to fall head over heels for this juicy, rich, mouth-watering Mexican shredded beef! It’s simple to prepare and you can use it in a myriad of ways! Braise this barbacoa beef once and make dozens of different Mexican meals you and your family will love!

Until next week, friends, cheers!

Cheyanne

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More beef recipes from around the world!

If you love this tender Mexican barbacoa, try one of these easy international beef dinners next:

• Steak Fajitas
• Stir-Fry Honey Hoisin Beef
• Bolognese
• Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja
• Eye of Round Beef Roast
• Steak Chimichurri
• Korean Short Ribs

The best Mexican Shredded Barbacoa Beef recipe👇

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