Scrambled Eggs, Cheese, and Avocado Tortilla Bowl Recipe
September 16, 2025
Barbacoa Tacos Recipe
Barbacoa tacos feature incredibly tender, smoky shredded beef that melts in your mouth with every bite. This traditional Mexican preparation transforms tough cuts of meat into fork-tender perfection through slow cooking techniques that concentrate flavors and create irresistible texture. The rich, savory beef pairs beautifully with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and a squeeze of lime for an authentic taco experience.
These barbacoa tacos are packed with smoky shredded beef that’s perfectly tender. Spices like cumin complement the chiles, while oregano and bay leaves add an earthiness to this recipe.
Prep Time:
45 mins
Cook Time:
2 hrs
Total Time:
2 hrs 45 mins
Servings:
6
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Ingredients
2 ripe plum tomatoes
1 small white onion, quartered
2 cloves garlic, peeled
4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
3 teaspoons kosher salt
1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (3 pound) beef chuck roast, cut into 6-equal sized cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup water
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 teaspoons dried oregano
3 fresh bay leaves
1 tablespoon lime juice
corn tortillas, warmed
2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted and sliced
½ bunch radishes, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, or to taste
Directions
Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high. Arrange whole tomatoes, onions (cut-side down), and garlic in the dry skillet in a single layer, working in batches if needed. Cook, turning occasionally, until charred on all sides, about 6 minutes for the garlic and about 12 minutes for the onions and tomatoes.
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Transfer charred vegetables to a blender and add chipotle peppers. Process until smooth, about 1 minute.
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Stir salt, chili powder, cumin, and black pepper together in a small bowl; season beef evenly with salt mixture.
Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef in batches and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer browned beef to a large plate.
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Pour water into the Dutch oven and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in onion-tomato mixture, brown sugar, oregano, and bay leaves. Reduce heat to medium-low and bring to a simmer.
Nestle beef back into pot and cover. Cook, stirring and re-nestling beef occasionally (about every 20 to 30 minutes), until beef is tender and pulls easily apart with a fork, 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours and 15 minutes. Remove bay leaves and discard.
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Remove beef from Dutch oven, place on cutting board; shred beef using 2 forks.
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Return beef to the Dutch oven, add lime juice, and stir to combine.
Serve in corn tortillas with avocado, radishes, and cilantro.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 771 | Calories |
| 56g | Fat |
| 25g | Carbs |
| 43g | Protein |
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| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 6 | |
| Calories 771 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 56g | 72% |
| Saturated Fat 19g | 93% |
| Cholesterol 161mg | 54% |
| Sodium 1146mg | 50% |
| Total Carbohydrate 25g | 9% |
| Dietary Fiber 8g | 27% |
| Protein 43g | 86% |
| Potassium 1124mg | 24% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
