Grilled Beef Barbacoa Tacos Recipes

SOUTHERN TEXAS-STYLE BEEF BARBACOA

Steps:

• Prepare a smoker with dampened hickory wood charcoal. The heat inside your grill or smoker should be around 180 to 200 degrees F (80 to 95 degrees C). Combine the black pepper, oregano, cayenne pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and seasoned salt in a small bowl until thoroughly mixed.
• Place the chuck roast into a mixing bowl, and rub all over with the spice mixture. Place the meat into the smoker, and smoke for 1 1/2 hours, turning about every half hour. The meat should be a dark red color, and the edges should be darkened. Place the meat into a roasting pan, and seal tightly with aluminum foil.
• Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Bake the barbacoa in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours until very tender. Uncover the beef, and shred with two forks while still hot.

BEEF BARBACOA TACOS

Steps:

• Heat a large cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chiles and cook, pressing them down with a spatula, 10 seconds per side; transfer to a plate. Add the tomatoes, onion and garlic to the skillet and cook, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are charred in spots, about 10 minutes.
• Peel the garlic and transfer to a blender along with the tomatoes and onion (reserve the skillet). Tear the chiles into pieces and add to the blender along with 1/2 cup water and 1 teaspoon salt; pulse until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the skillet, pressing it through with the back of a spoon.
• Add the beef to the skillet and turn to coat in the chile sauce using tongs. Cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until a crust starts to form on the meat, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle in the cumin, cinnamon and cayenne pepper and cook 1 more minute. Meanwhile, puree 2 1/2 cups water, the cilantro and thyme in the blender; add to the skillet along with the bay leaves.
• Reduce the heat to low. Cover and gently simmer until the meat is very tender, about 2 hours, adding up to 1 1/2 cups water if the sauce gets too thick. Remove the bay leaves and season with salt and black pepper. Serve in tortillas with assorted toppings.

BARBACOA PULLED-BEEF TACOS

Steps:

• Pour the vinegar and lime juice into a large bowl (it should be able to hold all the beef ). Whisk in the chipotle paste, garlic, spices, herbs, sugar and some seasoning. Mix in the beef, ensuring it's well-coated, then cover and leave to marinate for 1-2 hrs, or chill overnight.
• Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/ gas 3. Put the beef on a plate, then tip the marinade into an ovenproof casserole, along with any bits that have stuck to the bowl. Pour in the stock and bring to a simmer. Add the beef and simmer for 1 min, then cover and cook in the oven for 2 hrs.
• If the beef isn't tender enough to shred, cook for 15 mins more, then check again. Leave until cool enough to handle, then lift onto a board using a slotted spoon. Bring the sauce to the boil and reduce to about 300ml. Meanwhile, roughly shred the beef, discarding any fat or gristle. Stir back into the sauce to reheat, then serve in the casserole dish with the tacos, coriander and toppings on the side for everyone to help themselves.