Description
Authentic Mexican Braised Beef Barbacoa made with tender beef chuck roast simmered slowly in a flavorful blend of chipotle peppers, spices, and aromatic seasonings, resulting in a rich, juicy shredded beef perfect for tacos, burritos, or bowls.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Marinade
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast (cut into large chunks)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¾ cup beef broth
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 bay leaves
Spices and Aromatics
- 1 white onion (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Sear the Beef: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). In a large Dutch oven or heavy oven-safe pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef chunks and sear on all sides until browned, about 2–3 minutes per side. Work in batches if needed. Remove beef and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Toast Spices: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in the chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, ground cloves, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 more minute to toast the spices and enhance their flavors.
- Combine Ingredients and Simmer: Return the seared beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth, apple cider vinegar, and lime juice. Add the bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a simmer on the stovetop.
- Braise in the Oven: Cover the pot tightly and transfer it to your preheated oven. Braise for 3 to 3½ hours until the beef is fork-tender and easily shreds with two forks.
- Shred and Serve: Remove the bay leaves, shred the beef directly in the pot by pulling apart with two forks, and stir the meat back into the juices. Serve warm in tacos, burritos, bowls, or over rice with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- This dish freezes well and the flavors deepen after resting overnight.
- For extra texture and flavor, broil the shredded beef on a baking sheet for 5–7 minutes to create crispy edges before serving.
