Barbacoa Tacos (Slow Cooker) | Fed & Fit (2024)

FAQs

How many people does 1lb of barbacoa feed? ›

Adults. In general, each pound of BBQ feeds 3 to 4 people, especially if you're serving sides. You can expect most adult guests to eat ¼ to ⅓ pounds of meat each during your event.

In the US, people typically make barbacoa with chuck roast, brisket and beef cheeks. However, any cut of beef that has a lot of connective tissue and takes a long time to cook until tender works well.

Traditionally, barbacoa is a preparation of meat (usually sheep, goat, or beef) that is steam cooked in an underground oven until very tender and succulent. Today the term is also sometimes used for a similar preparation made on a stovetop or in a slow cooker.

This same barbacoa recipe can be used to make anywhere from 5-10 pounds of meat. Estimate approximately 1/2 pound of raw meat per person. If you can't find dry pasilla peppers, use guajillo peppers. Use leftover barbacoa meat to make barbacoa quesadillas, barbacoa sliders, burrito bowls, or add it into burritos.

Each taco shell or small soft taco-size tortilla fits about 2 ounces or 1/4 cup of meat. If you add diced onions, you could stretch a pound of ground beef to make about a dozen tacos. With just the meat and spices, you can make about 8 tacos from a pound of meat.

As a general rule, you should plan for about 1/4 to 1/2 pound of meat per person when making tacos. So for a family of four, you'll need around 1 to 2 pounds of ground beef.

Barbacoa (or Mexican shredded beef) is made out of tougher cuts of meat that require long, slow cooking times with flavorful chiles and seasonings. It's usually hand shredded and used for tacos, burritos, etc.

In addition to its delicious flavor, barbacoa is also a great source of nutrients. The slow cooking process helps to retain the meat's natural juices, which makes it moist and flavorful. The spices used to season the meat also have health benefits, such as helping to reduce inflammation and improve digestion.

Dips and Sauces: You can't go wrong with the classic guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream combo. But if you want to amp it up, drizzle homemade lime crema or chipotle sauce for a little heat! Cheeses: I love to use cotija cheese for tacos, but queso fresco or any Mexican blend will work.

The most common barbacoa prepared and consumed all across Mexico is barbacoa de res (beef barbacoa). In many regions, specially in southern Mexico and along the Gulf Coast, entire cow barbacoa is prepared.

Is barbacoa the same as birria? ›

Sometimes you'll see barbacoa made with pork or birria made with chicken. However, their cooking methods are the clearest difference between these two items. Barbacoa is traditionally made in a steam pit underground, but its cooking methods have evolved over the years.

I always recommend that one adult can eat half a pound of barbacoa, if they're eating nothing else. A quarter pound can make two tacos if you're using corn tortillas.

Flour power

Barbacoa can be eaten in a corn tortilla, but it can only be enjoyed in a flour tortilla. Maybe this is a San Antonio thing. This is not to say that any flour tortilla will work. In fact, the flour tortilla is the base of every taco.

You can make it up to 3 days in advance, let it cool, then store it in a covered bowl (with the juices) in the fridge. When you're ready to serve, transfer the barbacoa (with juices) into a baking dish and reheat in the oven for about 15 minutes at 350°F.

A question we often get is “How much meat do I need?” The starting rule of thumb is: Boneless Meat: 1/2 lb. per person for adults and 1/4 lb. per person for children.

There are 170 calories in 1 serving (4 oz) of Chipotle Mexican Grill Barbacoa. * The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

When cooking something like steak, turkey or pork, where meat is the main dish of the meal and paired with a few side dishes, we recommend about 1/2 pound (eight ounces) per person, or up to 3/4 (12 ounces) pound for bigger appetites and those who love leftovers.