Instant pot Barbacoa Taco🌮
- Up and Down Story
- Feb 7
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 12
The term "Barbacoa" traditionally refers to a method of cooking in Mexican cuisine, primarily involving slow-cooking lamb, beef, or pork to create tender and flavorful meat. Typically, the meat is seasoned and cooked barbecue-style, either in an oven or a slow cooker.
Barbacoa tacos are made using meat prepared with this cooking method, usually topped with onions, cilantro, and lime. Their rich flavor and tender texture make them one of the most beloved taco varieties. Nowadays, many trendy taco joints in downtown Austin, Texas, are serving up delicious barbacoa.
For this easy barbacoa taco recipe, cuts like chuck roast or brisket work best. Chuck roast is one of the most affordable cuts in the U.S., and it yields a wonderfully tender dish that rivals the brisket.
Mexico Taco Seasoning
Mexican meat dishes often feature a specific blend of seasonings. Knowing the basic seasoning can make taco preparation a breeze. It’s similar to how foreigners might struggle to approach Korean cuisine without knowing about gochujang or doenjang. However, there are quite a few seasoning options to consider!
Basic Taco Seasoning: Chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
When I first learned to cook in the U.S., the thought of using so many seasonings felt overwhelming. For those who find it complicated, I’ll share the most essential seasonings with you. 🙋🏻♀️
Simplified Mexican Taco Seasoning
These four seasonings are fundamental to any taco dish, each offering strong flavors and aromas. You can substitute garlic powder with minced garlic and use chopped onions in place of onion powder, but make sure to have chili powder and cumin on hand.
Q: What happens when you use all the seasonings?
While the basic flavor comes from these four seasonings, adding others creates a deeper, richer taste with multiple flavor layers.
If you live in the U.S., here’s a tip for buying seasonings at a lower cost! Each seasoning typically runs between $4-$7, which can feel wasteful when you only use them occasionally. But if you’ve ever felt hesitant to skip buying them, check out the video below. You can buy just the amount you need, eliminating waste. I’ve found this method to be a great way to get high-quality seasonings at a bargain.
📍 Did you know that chili powder, cayenne pepper, and paprika are all made from ground peppers?
The difference lies in the types of peppers used and how they’re processed, affecting their flavor and heat level.
- Paprika: Typically made from sweet peppers that are dried and ground, resembling chili powder closely.
- Chili Powder: A blend of various peppers and spices.
- Cayenne Pepper: Made from dried hot peppers, it’s usually the spiciest of the three—think of it as the equivalent of Korean gochugaru.
Among these, adjust the cayenne pepper according to your heat preference.
Instant Pot Barbacoa Tacos
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- Meat: 3 pounds (1.5 kg) chuck roast
- Seasoning: Chili, cumin, oregano, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder (essential ones: cumin, chili, garlic powder, onion powder)
- Toppings: Onions, cilantro, avocado
- Avocado Salsa: 1 avocado, 1/4 onion, 1 tomatillo (optional), 2-3 jalapeños or peppers, cilantro, 2 oz (60 ml) lemon or lime juice, 2 tablespoons sour cream, salt, pepper, 1/3 cup avocado oil or a neutral oil.
Now, let’s make those Instant Pot Barbacoa Tacos!
### Recipe Steps
Soak the meat in water for 30 minutes to remove excess blood.
Mix the seasonings (including salt) in equal parts (1:1:1:1) and coat the meat, using 2 tablespoons of the mix per pound (450 grams) of meat. If you’re adding cayenne pepper, use only half the amount because it’s spicy. Adjust to your taste.
Don’t forget to sprinkle pepper on the meat.
Add 1 cup of water, a beef broth cube, and 3-4 bay leaves. 📍 When adding water, pour it carefully around the edges to avoid washing away the seasoning.
Cook on the Instant Pot's pressure setting for 40 minutes, then release the steam (natural release works too).
After cooking, remove the meat and let it cool before shredding.
Taste the shredded meat and add salt or seasoning as needed to enhance the flavor.
Pour the cooking liquid over the meat to add moisture and richness.
Prepare the avocado salsa! 👇🏼 📍 You can also substitute store-bought tomato salsa if you prefer.
Blend all the salsa ingredients in a blender or food processor. If you’re using frozen avocado, microwave it for 30 seconds first to thaw before blending.
Warm the tortillas in a pan on both sides.
Fill the tortillas with the cooked meat, onions, chopped cilantro, avocado, and salsa.
📍 This meat pairs well with any toppings like avocado, salsa, sautéed veggies, or eggs. You can prepare the meat ahead of time and enjoy it with leftover veggies at home.
📍 You can also make it using a traditional pressure cooker with the same method.
📍 Store-bought salsa products often have clean ingredients.
Q: Can It Be Frozen?
Yes! This meat is versatile and can be used in various Mexican dishes, so it’s great to cook in bulk and freeze. The tenderness of the meat makes it perfect for breakfast tacos with eggs or potatoes.
Avocado Salsa
Ingredients
1 avocado (frozen avocado works too) 1/4 onion
1 tomatillo (optional)
2-3 jalapeños or peppers
cilantro, 2 oz (60 ml)
lemon or lime juice
2 tablespoons sour cream
salt, pepper
1/3 cup avocado oil or a neutral oil.
Blend all these ingredients in a blender.
If the salsa is too thick, add some water to loosen it up.
📍 Lime juice adds a better flavor than lemon juice.
📍 Tomatillos give a tangy, refreshing taste.
📍 Making it a bit spicy enhances the flavor.
Tools Used
Instant Pot 6 qt: https://a.co/d/csijuS0
🙋🏻♀️ I hope this information helps! Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Likes ❤️ and comments are invaluable for content creation.
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