Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef
Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef is full of flavor and is the perfect dish for Taco Tuesdays. It’s easy to make in the Instant Pot, ready in under an hour and turns out perfectly tender every time.
Suitable for Low Carb and Gluten-Free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.
We looooove Mexican-inspired dishes in our house. And this easy and delicious Barbacoa Instant Pot recipe makes a regular appearance not just on Taco Tuesdays and Cinco De Mayo, but anytime we’re craving Mexican flavors. Along with these dump and start Instant Pot Steak Fajitas and Pinto Beans made in the Instant Pot.
Table of contents
What is Barbacoa Beef?
Barbacoa is actually a cooking process that can be used with just about any cut of meat but is most often made with beef, lamb, or goat. Originating in Mexico and Central America to make tough cuts of meat more palatable, Barbacoa was traditionally slow-cooked in a vessel place in a hole in the ground.
Fortunately, I’m not asking you to dig up your backyard for the sake of dinner. And gone are the days of needing to wait hours for tender meat. The magic of the Instant Pot allows you to have fork-tender and super flavorful beef Barbacoa ready in under an hour.
Why You’ll Love This
- Quick Cooking – Cook in your Instant Pot for a slow-cooked taste and texture in under an hour.
- A Million Uses – Okay, maybe not quite a million but there are loads of uses for Barbacoa Beef. Check out our list a little further down.
- Comforting – The smoky flavors and bold spices make this a comforting and delicious dish.
Ingredient Notes
- A roast – I usually use Chuck Roast for this. Tough cuts of beef work best in this recipe. Just remove any fat if you can.
- Onion – Feel free to use any color (white, yellow or red) you prefer.
- Carrots – Adds color and flavor and a touch of sweetness.
- Lime juice – Adds a bit of tart and freshness.
- Chipotles in adobo sauce: I love the smokey heat I get form adding these into Mexican dishes. Add more or less to your taste.
- Herbs, spices and flavors – cumin, oregano, cloves and garlic give this its great flavors. Feel free to add more or less to your taste.
- Beef broth: This can be homemade or store bought.
How To Make Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef
Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and add the oil.
- Brown the beef on all sides.
- Add the carrots, onions, and the remaining ingredients.
- Cover, turn the valve to sealing position and set to manual pressure/high pressure for 45 minutes.
- When done, perform a quick pressure release, then carefully open the lid.
- Remove half of the cooking liquid from the Instant Pot.
- Shred the meat with two forks.
- Garnish if desired, serve, and enjoy.
Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
Expert Tips
- Generously season the beef with salt and pepper before browning in your instant pot.
- If you can’t find garlic puree, use a Microplane or a food processor to grind the garlic to a paste.
- Not a fan of having slices of onions and carrots? While the meat is browning purée the remaining ingredients in a food processor to make a paste and add this to the pressure cooker. You will still get all of the flavors without the chunks of veggies.
Variations
- Try using beer – This recipe calls for beef broth but I recommend you try using a Mexican beer instead. The alcohol will cook-off and the resulting flavor is phenomenal.
- Use other cuts of beef – Any type of beef roast such as shoulder, rump, top or bottom round, even a brisket will work with this recipe. My favorite is still chuck roast, but use what you have readily available.
- Use other cuts of meat – Traditional barbacoa was a method often used to deal with tough cuts of meat. Beef is the most common but you could use anything from goat, pork, lamb, or even chicken. You may need to experiment and adjust your cooking time depending on the cut of meat that you select.
Storage
This barbacoa recipe is perfect for prepping ahead.
- Prep Ahead – Prepare this recipe in advance and store or freeze as directed below and serve reheated portions. Use it in a variety of meals.
- Store – Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat portions in the microwave prior to serving.
- Freeze – Follow the handy tips below for how to freeze these. Place Barbacoa Beef into freezer bags. Label and remove excess air before sealing and freezing for up to 3 months.
- Thaw – Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating and serving.
FAQs
This tender beef is perfect for a variety of Mexican-style dishes including:
– Tacos
– Salad
– Nachos
– Burritos and Burrito Bowls
– Enchiladas
– Quesadillas
– Tostadas
Did we mention how versatile this recipe is? Here are some more ways to serve this meat.
– Serve alongside roasted potatoes and grilled corn.
– Pile it on a sandwich along with lettuce, pepper, and creamy avocado.
– Mix the beef into a thick tomato sauce and serve it over cooked rigatoni pasta.
The chipotle peppers in adobo will add some spice to this dish. It’s not overwhelming but there is some heat. If you want less heat, use less chipotle in adobo. If you want more heat, add more. It’s a pretty flexible recipe.
More Recipes You May Like
- Instant Pot Ropa Vieja.
- Instant Pot Mexican Pinto Beans.
- Dump and Start Instant Pot Mexican Quinoa.
- Instant Pot Pot Roast With Veggies.
- Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas.
- Instant Pot Steak Fajitas
Weight Watchers Points
There are 7 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
Tools Needed
- An Instant Pot.
- Best Ever Instant Pot Accessories.
- Handy Measuring spoons and cups.
Thank you for reading my Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer and Instant Pot recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.
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Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef
Ingredients
- 2 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds (900g) chuck roast
- 1 onion sliced
- 2 carrots sliced
- 1 cup (240ml) beef broth
- juice from 1 lime
- 3 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground oregano
- 1 teaspoon adobo
- 1 pinch ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon garlic purée
Instructions
- Add the oil to the Instant Pot and set to sauté mode. Once the oil is hot, add in the chuck roast and cook for 2 minutes per side, until all sides are browned.
- Add the onion, carrots, lime juice, spices, garlic purée, and broth, stirring to combine.
- Place the lid on, turn the valve to sealing, and set to manual pressure/high pressure for 45 minutes.
- When done, perform a quick pressure release, open the lid, and remove half of the cooking liquid.
- Roughly shred the barbacoa using two forks.
- Transfer to a serving dish, garnish (if desired) and serve.
Notes
- Generously season the beef with salt and pepper before browning in your instant pot.
- If you can’t find garlic puree, use a Microplane or a food processor to grind the garlic to a paste.
- Not a fan of having slices of onions and carrots? While the meat is browning purée the remaining ingredients in a food processor to make a paste and add this to the pressure cooker. You will still get all of the flavors without the chunks of veggies.
- Try using beer – This recipe calls for beef broth but I recommend you try using a Mexican beer instead. The alcohol will cook-off and the resulting flavor is phenomenal.
- Use other cuts of beef – Any type of beef roast such as shoulder, rump, top or bottom round, even a brisket will work with this recipe. My favorite is still chuck roast, but use what you have readily available.
- Use other cuts of meat – Traditional barbacoa was a method often used to deal with tough cuts of meat. Beef is the most common but you could use anything from goat, pork, lamb, or even chicken. You may need to experiment and adjust your cooking time depending on the cut of meat that you select.
- Store – in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- There are 7 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.
This beef was fantastic. I served it with rice and various toppings for everyone to make burrito bowls!
We tried this and it was so easy and flavourful to make in the Instant Pot! Thank you, will make it again for Cinqo de Mayo!
This is perfect for our taco nights! Definitely going to be a hit here! I love being able to use my instant pot for new recipes!
This beef looks so delicious! Will be perfect for beef tacos.
This would be perfect for a Mexican-themed gathering! Love that I can make the meat in instant pot!