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Mexican Barbacoa

classic Mexican barbacoa plate with rice, refried beans, and salsa. Here’s a full, authentic-style recipe so you can recreate it at home:


🌮 Mexican Barbacoa (Shredded Beef)

📝 Ingredients

For the Barbacoa

  • 3–4 lbs beef chuck roast (or beef cheek for traditional style)

  • 3 dried guajillo chiles (stem & seeds removed)

  • 2 dried ancho chiles

  • 3 chipotle peppers in adobo

  • 4 cloves garlic

  • ¼ onion

  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

  • 1 tbsp lime juice

  • 1 tsp ground cumin

  • 1 tsp dried oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)

  • ½ tsp ground cloves

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 1–1½ cups beef broth

  • Salt & black pepper to taste


🔥 Instructions

1️⃣ Make the Chile Sauce

  1. Soak dried guajillo and ancho chiles in hot water for 10–15 minutes until soft.

  2. Blend soaked chiles with chipotles, garlic, onion, vinegar, lime juice, cumin, oregano, cloves, salt, pepper, and 1 cup broth until smooth.


2️⃣ Prepare the Beef

  1. Cut beef into large chunks and season with salt & pepper.

  2. Place in slow cooker or Dutch oven.

  3. Pour blended sauce over beef. Add bay leaves.


3️⃣ Cook Low & Slow

  • Slow Cooker: 8 hours on LOW or 5–6 hours on HIGH

  • Oven: Cover tightly and cook at 300°F (150°C) for 3–4 hours

  • Instant Pot: 60 minutes high pressure + natural release

Beef should shred easily with forks.


4️⃣ Shred & Finish

  1. Remove bay leaves.

  2. Shred beef and mix back into juices.

  3. Optional: Broil for 5 minutes for crispy edges (like in your photo).


🍚 Mexican Rice (Side)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup long-grain rice

  • 2 tbsp oil

  • ½ cup tomato sauce

  • 2 cups chicken broth

  • ¼ onion (finely diced)

  • 1 garlic clove (minced)

  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Toast rice in oil until lightly golden.

  2. Add onion & garlic, sauté briefly.

  3. Stir in tomato sauce, broth, and salt.

  4. Cover and simmer 18–20 minutes.


🫘 Refried Beans

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked pinto beans (or canned, drained)

  • 2 tbsp lard or oil

  • 2 tbsp bean broth or water

  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat lard in pan.

  2. Add beans and mash.

  3. Add broth gradually until creamy.


🌶 Quick Barbacoa Salsa (Like on Top)

  • 2 roasted tomatoes

  • 1 roasted jalapeño

  • 1 clove garlic

  • Salt

Blend until smooth.


🌮 To Serve

Plate with:

  • Mexican rice

  • Refried beans

  • Sliced radishes

  • Warm tortillas

  • Lime wedges


If you’d like, I can also give you:

  • A traditional pit-style barbacoa version

  • A street taco version

  • Or a restaurant-style consomé (dipping broth) recipe 😊

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