Barbacoa Tacos

 Calling all tacos lovers! This recipe will definitely become one of your favorites and you will understand why Mexican Barbacoa is the best!

What is Barbacoa?

Beef barbacoa is a very traditional Mexican meal that almost always makes an appearance at birthdays, baptisms, weddings, sports events, and more. To be honest, it’s pretty easy to come up with a “reason” to make it.

Even though there are many different ways to make barbacoa, my favorite is with tacos. So what makes barbacoa so delicious? It’s simple – the combination of dried chilies and spices, and the tender and juicy texture make it irresistible!

Have you ever asked yourself what those dried chilies that you see at the grocery store are used for? This recipe will give you one answer.

On the internet, you can find tons of different barbacoa recipes, and you will also find that lots of people will complain that it is not the original way that it is supposed to be made. While I do believe that it is fine to make it in different ways, all authentic Mexican barbacoa recipes have to have dried chilies.

How to Prepare The Dried Chilies For Barbacoa

I know that using these chilies in a recipe may seem intimidating at first. Don’t worry though. After reading this post, you will be an expert at preparing authentic Mexican barbacoa. To soften the dried chilies, first you need to take out the seeds and the stem.

Once removed, add them to a pot or pan with 1 cup of water, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 tomato, and 1/4 of a large onion. Then let boil for 5-7 minutes before draining the excess water.

Next, add the mixture to a blender and add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, salt and pepper to taste, and 1/4 cup of beef stock or water.

Once everything has been blended together, pour the entire mixture through a strainer directly onto the shredded beef (cooked separately – see recipe below) and let it cook for at least two additional hours).

That wasn’t so hard now was it? Believe me, the sauce makes all the difference between a sub-par barbacoa and a flavor filled Mexican barbacoa. Also, don’t worry – the dried chilies aren’t very spicy at all, so this is not a spicy recipe.

If you like it spicy though, be sure to accompany it with a delicious salsa verde.

This was definitely one of my husband’s favorite meals when we visited Mexico, and as they say, the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Without a doubt, that was true for us!