Citrus-Kissed Beef Barbacoa Tacos
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This recipe for Beef Barbacoa Tacos is simple, but incredibly delicious. A chuck roast is covered in a Mexican seasoning, then slow-cooked with beef stock, fresh lime juice & fresh orange juice.
The meat is then shredded and added to a corn tortilla with diced onion, fresh cilantro and the best guacamole.
This recipe feeds a crowd, but is also family-friendly and can be served as a weeknight meal.
Why I love this recipe
I am so obsessed with this Beef Barbacoa Recipe. My entire family loves Mexican food, and I enjoy cooking it. I find it approachable, healthy and absolutely delicious. Recipes like my Loaded Ground Beef Taco Salad and Easy Beef Taco Skillet have the same easy taco-night energy.
These tacos hit the spot in so many ways. They’re so easy to make, require minimal effort, they’re kid-friendly, adaptable and absolutely delicious.
Beef Barbacoa Taco Ingredients
- Chuck roast – I love cooking with a chuck roast. It’s just so easy. I season it really well with taco seasoning, then I sear it before slow cooking. It cooks beautifully and stays juicy.
- Taco seasoning – Any taco seasoning will work here! I make my own, but store-bought is fine, too.
- Fresh orange juice – I love the slight sweetness the orange gives the meat. It pairs really well with the onion and cilantro.
- Fresh lime juice – Zesty lime is added for that authentic barbacoa flavor. It adds freshness and a wonderful citrus punch.
- Beef stock – Beef stock enhances the flavor of the beef and helps keep it moist.
- Corn Tortillas – Corn tortillas are most authentic for this type of taco. You can sub flour if you want!
- Cilantro – Cilantro is also authentic to a barbacoa taco. It’s added on top.
- Onion – Diced onion is added for flavor and a little crunch. Don’t worry, it’s not overpowering at all in the taco.
- Guacamole – I love the creaminess the avocado adds to the taco. I have a very yummy and simple recipe that I use. Check it out here!
Instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook the chuck roast in a slow cooker?
Yes! Prepare the recipe as usual. Do not cook it in a Dutch oven. Instead, put everything in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. This slow cooker includes a searing function, making the process super easy!
What toppings go well with beef barbacoa tacos?
I like to serve mine with chopped onion, cilantro, guacamole, and fresh lime. Pickled red onion, radishes, or salsa verde would also be good additions.
How else can I use the beef barbacoa meat?
Quesadillas – Layer barbacoa with cheese between tortillas and grill until crispy. Serve with guacamole, salsa and sour cream, similar to my Cheeseburger Quesadillas.
Bowls – Build a barbacoa bowl with rice, black beans, grilled veggies and top with crema, avocado and fresh lime. It has a lot of the same flavors as my Mexican Rice with Chicken.
Sliders – Pile it on a bun and top with pickled red onions and chipotle mayo.
Breakfast hash – Reheat with hash browns and top with a fried egg.
Nachos – Pile it over nachos with melty cheese, cilantro, avocado, sour cream and jalapeños.
Burritos – Wrap in a large tortilla with rice, beans, cheese, and salsa.
Can I make it ahead of time, and how do I store it?
Yes! Store in an airtight container with juices in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Alternatively, freeze it for up to 3 months.
Can I make barbacoa spicy or mild?
Yes! I make it milder so it’s kid-friendly. To spice it up, add a few chipotle peppers to the broth before slow cooking.
How do I reheat barbacoa?
It’s easy! You can microwave it. You can slowly heat it on the stove in a pot with a lid. You can also warm it in the oven for 10 minutes at 300 degrees. Cover it with tin foil or a lid to prevent it from drying out.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re having a dinner party or a celebration, these Beef Barbacoa Tacos will surely be a hit. They are also ideal for a family dinner.
They’re easy to make, taste amazing and can feed a crowd for days. The recipe can be easily doubled or tripled if needed.
The barbacoa is very versatile and can be used in several other dishes, making meal planning easier. That’s one reason I love recipes like my One-Pot Ground Beef Taco Pasta too.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!
Citrus-Kissed Beef Barbacoa Tacos with Onion and Cilantro
A chuck roast is slow cooked in taco seasoning, beef stock, lime juice and orange juice then shredded and placed on corn tortillas. They're topped with cilantro, onion and guacamole. These tacos are easy and delicious!
Ingredients
- 3-4 pound chuck roast, cut into large chunks
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon ground oregano
- 3/4 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups beef stock
- juice of 2 limes
- juice of 1 orange
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Corn tortillas
- Cilantro
- White onion, diced for serving
- Guacamole (click for recipe)
- Optional: Pickled red onions (click for recipe)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
- Cut the chuck roast into large chunks, removing any large chunks of fat.
- Prepare the Mexican seasoning by mixing all the spices in a small bowl; Chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion, powder, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle the seasoning all over the chuck roast and massage it into the meat. Each piece should be covered in seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add half of the meat and sear on all sides, about 1-2 minutes per side. Remove and sear the other half.
- Once all of the meat is seared, place it back into the dutch oven and add beef stock, lime juice and the juice of an orange.
- Cover and place in the oven for 2 1/2 - 3 hours. My 3 pound roast took 2 1/2 hours.
- Remove the meat to a rimmed baking sheet. Shred, then place under the broiler for about 5 minutes to crisp up. (I suggest broiling because it caramelizes the meat, but it's not absolutely necessary)
- Once done, pour about 1/2 cup of beef stock the roast cooked in over the meat to keep it moist. You can use as much or as little as you want.
- Serve the barbacoa in a corn tortilla, top with diced onion and cilantro and guacamole if desired. You can also add cheese, like a chihuahua cheese, to make them more kid friendly.
- Slow cooker method: Prepare the same except cook in slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.
Notes
The barbacoa can be made in advance. It reheats very well - see blog post for instructions. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 905Total Fat: 57gSaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 3gUnsaturated Fat: 33gCholesterol: 251mgSodium: 1129mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 3gSugar: 14gProtein: 78g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated. Use as an approximation only.
The ingredients says limes, but the directions says lemon? Please advise!
Hi Jan! Thank you for reaching out. It’s lime juice! I have corrected the recipe card. Thank you and enjoy!
This was a great recipe! The meat was so tender and flavorful. My kids loved it too! Great recipe if you want leftovers.
so glad you liked it!
This recipe was easy, flavorful and works great for leftovers. I personally added a little cheese for my kids and they loved them. Great weeknight dinner.
So glad you liked the tacos!