Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef (Printer-Friendly)
Savory beef slow-cooked with a blend of chilis, lime, and aromatic spices for versatile meals.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Fats
01 -
1 tablespoon lard or olive oil
→ Protein
02 -
3 pounds chuck roast, cut into 2-inch chunks
→ Chilis and Sauces
03 -
2 chipotle chilis in adobo sauce
04 -
2 guajillo chiles, deseeded and stems removed
05 -
2 ancho chiles, deseeded and stems removed
06 -
2 tablespoons adobo sauce from the chipotles
→ Acids and Seasonings
07 -
Juice of 1 lime
08 -
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
09 -
½ teaspoon Mexican oregano
10 -
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
→ Aromatics and Herbs
11 -
1 onion, diced
12 -
2 bay leaves
13 -
2 dried stems with leaves of epazote (or cilantro as substitute)
14 -
1 head garlic, sliced in half crosswise
→ Liquids
15 -
12 fluid ounces beer (preferably Mexican) or beef broth
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Set Instant Pot to sauté and melt lard or heat olive oil. Add chuck roast chunks and sear until lightly browned on all sides.
02 -
In a blender, combine chipotle chilis, guajillo chiles, ancho chiles, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, and adobo sauce. Blend until smooth.
03 -
Pour the chili sauce over the browned meat. Add diced onion, bay leaves, epazote (or cilantro), Mexican oregano, and ground cinnamon. Stir to combine evenly.
04 -
Place garlic halves cut side down on top of meat. Pour beer or beef broth over all ingredients.
05 -
Seal the Instant Pot and set to meat/stew program. Cook for 60 minutes at high pressure.
06 -
Allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then perform quick release. Remove meat, discard any excess fat, and shred with two forks. Return shredded meat to pot with some cooking juices to retain moisture.
07 -
Serve shredded beef in tacos, over rice, on tostadas, or as desired.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
For best results, cut the roast into smaller chunks before cooking. Substitutions such as cilantro for epazote and all ancho chiles instead of guajillo may alter the authenticity of flavors.
02 -
Use Mexican beer for authentic flavor, or substitute with regular beer or beef broth as needed.