Quick and easy Instant Pot Barbacoa is so tender and delicious, and great for leftovers!
Barbacoa is always my first choice when we go out for tacos (that, and fish tacos). There’s something so amazing about how tender and spicy it is, and I just love it just melts in your mouth. If you don’t know what Barbacoa is, you should learn and try it because it’s just the best!
Barbacoa is slow roasted meat, usually beef, seasoned with various spices to give it a delicious chipotle flavor. BUT, if you have no patience for slow roasting anything like me, you can just throw everything in the Instant Pot and it’ll all be ready in an hour or so!
Beside some simple prep work, there’s not much you have to physically do for this Instant Pot Barbacoa. That’s what’s so magical about Instant Pots. They take a fraction of the time that a slow cooker requires, but you still have a delicious fall-off-the-bone meal at the end of it without stinking up the whole house!
The versatility of this recipe makes it a great one to make for meal prepping at the beginning of the week. So far, we’ve had it in tacos, salads, taquitos, and eaten it just on its own. Next time, I think I’ll build a burrito bowl with them with cauliflower rice and veggies. Oh, the possibilities!
What your favorite way to enjoy Barbacoa?
Instant Pot Barbacoa
Ingredients
- 3-4 lb beef bottom round roast or chuck roast cut into 3 inch chunks
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 large onion quartered
- 5 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp chipotle powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth or bone broth
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar raw and unfiltered
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Set Instant Pot to Sauté setting and heat 2 tbsp of coconut oil for 10 minutes.
- Add beef to the Instant Pot and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Work in batches if needed.
- Leave the beef in the Instant Pot and turn it off.
- Combine the rest of the ingredients, except cilantro, in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the meat, close the lid, and cook for 60 minutes on high pressure.
- Release the pressure and open the lid. Take out the meat, shred it with 2 forks, and return it back into the Instant Pot.
- Stir, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve as taco meat, in a burrito bowl, or in any way you want to enjoy it!
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This sounds like the best taco night! Thanks for the idea!
So I’m still an instant pot newbie – how would you convert the cooking time to the slow cooker? Thanks!
I think 8-9 hours on low would be perfect!
How delicious! And only 60 min of pressure time – love it! I have a whole bunch of radishes in my garden waiting to be used, I bet they’d be really good over this in a taco.
I bet! Especially if you pickle them. LOVE pickled radish in tacos.
Properly drooling over this. And I still don’t have an instant pot! Your pictures make me want one so badly. Great recipe, love it!
You should so get it! It’s worth every penny.
This looks fantastic, I’m crazy about tacos and I love how it only needs 1 hour to cook!
I have a confession to make: I always order Barbacoa at Chipotle. Always. Can’t do anything else. I can’t get enough of the spiciness. This looks absolutely delicious.
I’m the same way! It’s SO delicious. 🙂
This beef stew looks so delicious ! I’m mouthwatering just looking at it !!
Mmmmmmm…. that broth looks mouth-watering!
That sauce though! Looks so legit and extra points for a pressure cooker recipe!
I love the idea of this and the flexibility too! Your pictures look good enough to eat. I think I’ll try this as part of meal prep this weekend!
Thanks so much, hope you like it!
This looks amazing!!! And all of those flavors are awesome. I love how it comes together so quickly with the Instant Pot!
Barbacoa is my weakness! I have an instant pot version but I must give yours a try too! So many yummy flavors!
Did you mention which tortillas you’re using here? They look good!
They are Siete Foods. 🙂
This looks so tender and delicious! I’m always on the hunt for more IP recipes.
Jean, I made this for dinner last night, it was amazing! I look forward to cooking many more of your recipes.
So glad you enjoyed it! They are great as leftovers as well. 🙂
Wow — looks delicious! What is the best way to reheat this? If preparing for a family gathering would You make it beforehand or right before mealtime?
Thanks!
Thank you! You can microwave it, or put it in a pot on the stove top and heat it up low and slow. 🙂
What can you substitute for the coconut oil? My daughter is allergic to coconut.
You can use another cooking oil like ghee or avocado oil.
This was delicious, thank you for the recipe!
So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂