Barbacoa beef, or pork or lamb or goat, is by definition slowly cooked meat. The word is Mexican, and originally referred to a cooking method by which parts of an animal were wrapped in leaves, and steamed and smoked simultaneously over fire.
The dish came to America from Mexico by way of Texas, and is very much a part of Mexican immigrant and Tex Mex culture, as well as the cuisine of Mexico.
So the notion of making it in a slow cooker is simultaneously radical and obvious. And the resulting meat is flavorful and tender, begging to be stuffed in a soft taco with toppings.
Leftovers might be used in chili, stews, enchiladas, burritos or quesadillas; a couple of cups of shredded, cooked beef in the fridge are a springboard for any number of dinners later in the week. This type of one-two-punch cooking is very rewarding.
So throw that big chunk of beef into the slow cooker with a nice battalion of seasonings, shred up the soft meat, heat some tortillas in the microwave, oven or a skillet, and have yourself a delicious little winter taco feast.
SLOW COOKER BARBACOA BEEF TACOS
Serves 8
Start to finish: 10 hours, 20 minutes (10 hours of which are hands off)
1 2 1/2 pound eye of round beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon chipotle in adobo puree
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon kosher salt
Juice of 2 limes
1/4 cup cider vinegar
3 cups beef or chicken broth
3 bay leaves
Warmed corn or flour tortillas to serve
Optional toppings:
Salsa (tomato or tomatillo)
Sour cream
Shredded cheddar, or crumbled queso fresco, goat cheese, or feta
Diced avocado
Slivered red onion
Nutrition information per serving: 323 calories; 76 calories from fat; 9 g fat (2 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 82 mg cholesterol; 896 mg sodium; 25 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 3 g sugar; 36 g protein.
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