Dutch Oven Barbacoa Recipe
This Dutch oven barbacoa delivers juicy, tender beef braised low and slow in a smoky adobo sauce with chipotles, citrus, and spices. Cook barbacoa in the oven for a flavor-packed meat that’s perfect for making bowls, tacos, nachos, or stuffing into burritos.
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 288kcal
Equipment
- Dutch Oven 4-5 quarts
Ingredients
- 3 pound boneless beef chuck roast cut into 3-4 inch chunks
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil or canola oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce minced, plus a spoonful of sauce
- 3 cups beef broth
- ¼ cup lime juice freshly squeezed
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon cumin
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300℉.
- Season beef generously with salt and black pepper on all sides.
- Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add oil. Add the beef and sear until browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- To the same Dutch oven, add the remaining ingredients: onions, garlic, chipotle peppers and adobo sauce, vinegar, lime juice, broth, and spices. Using a wooden spoon deglaze the pot by scraping the brown bites from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a boil and remove from the heat.
- Add the beef and its juices back to the pot. Cover and transfer to the oven. Braise beef until it's fork-tender, about 2 ½ to 3 hours. Tip: You know the barbacoa is ready when the beef shreds easily with a fork. If the meat still feels tough, it needs more time in the oven.
- Remove bay leaves. Transfer the braised barbacoa to a bowl or cutting board. Using two forks, shred the barbacoa then add it back to the pot with the liquid.
Notes
- If you don't have Mexican oregano, marjoram is a good substitute.
- If you don't have ground cloves, allspice is a good substitute.
- Storage: Store cooled barbacoa in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of beef broth if needed to keep it juicy.
Nutrition
Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 393mg | Potassium: 549mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 267IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 4mg
