This Mexican Shredded beef is ULTRA-TENDER and bursting with bold, rich flavor! This Barbacoa recipe is so easy, totally fool-proof and only requires 8 simple ingredients (plus pantry seasonings)! 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!)Recipe can be scaled up or down by using the slider if you hover your mouse over the number of Servings.
Combine seasoning blend: In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the spice blend – paprika, cumin, oregano, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder and coriander. Add 1 ¼ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir well to combine.
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.
Sear beef: Heat 1 ½ tablespoons of oil in a Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the meat (in batches if necessary) and sear until well browned on all sides, about 8 minutes total. (If browning meat in batches, add more oil as needed.) Remove to a plate.
Sauté vegetables: Reduce the heat under the now empty pot to medium and add the remaining ½ tablespoon of oil. Add the onions and season with a pinch of pepper and a generous pinch of salt. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and remaining seasoning blend. Cook, stirring constantly until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste and chopped chipotles. Cook, stirring constantly, until paste is caramelized, about 1-2 minutes.
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. Mix well to combine. Add the seared beef, along with any accumulated juices, to the pot.
Cover + cook: Bring the contents 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. For the best results, I recommend quickly stirring the beef every hour.
Shred beef: Turn off the heat under the pot. Use tongs to remove and discard the bay leaf. Use two forks to shred the beef. (Alternatively, you can remove the beef to a cutting board, shred it and return it to pot.)
Gently simmer to warm: Adjust the heat to low and gently simmer the meat for 10-15 minutes.
Serve: Transfer beef to a serving dish. Top with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side. Enjoy!
For tacos: Pile shredded cheese inside warmed corn tortillas and top with shredded beef. Finish with chopped veggies, pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, guacamole and/or sour cream. Enjoy!
Notes
Oregano: Mexican oregano is preferred; however regular oregano is fine!
Chipotle Peppers: If you don’t like spicy food, use 1 pepper. For mild, use 2 peppers. For medium, use 5 peppers. For spicy, use 7 or more!
Cook Time: The cooking time is approximate. Precise length of time will depend upon your pot and the thickness (size) of your beef. Check the beef at 3 hours. If you can’t easily shred the beef, cover and continue to cook, checking for doneness every 20-30 minutes.
Other cooking methods:
Slow Cooker or Crock Pot: After searing the beef, sautéing the vegetables and deglazing the pan – transfer the mixture to a slow cooker/crock pot. Add the picante sauce, bay leaf and seared beef. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours. Proceed with recipe as directed.
Oven: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Instead of simmering the beef on the stove, cover it and transfer to the oven. Bake for 3 to 3 ½ hours, stirring every hour during the cooking process. Proceed with recipe as directed.
Nutritional information is an approximation based upon 10 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.