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Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa for Tacos

A white bowl filled with rich, shredded Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa, glistening with sauce.
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Make tender, flavorful beef barbacoa quickly in your Instant Pot, perfect for tacos, burritos, or bowls.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 lb beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 1 medium white onion, quartered
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice, fresh
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced (plus 1 teaspoon adobo sauce)
  • 2 bay leaves

Instructions

  1. Place the beef chunks into the inner pot of your Instant Pot.
  2. Add the onion quarters, minced garlic, beef broth, apple cider vinegar, and lime juice to the pot.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, minced chipotle peppers, and adobo sauce. Rub this spice mixture evenly over the beef chunks.
  4. Tuck the bay leaves around the meat.
  5. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the vent to sealing.
  6. Select the Manual or Pressure Cook setting and set the time for 60 minutes on High Pressure.
  7. Once the cooking cycle finishes, allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes before carefully switching the valve to quick release any remaining pressure.
  8. Remove the beef chunks to a large bowl. Discard the bay leaves.
  9. Use two forks to shred the beef thoroughly.
  10. Skim any excess fat from the liquid remaining in the pot. Return the shredded beef to the pot and toss well with the cooking liquid until the meat is moist and coated with flavor.
  11. Serve hot in tortillas or over rice.

Notes

  • For the best flavor depth, you can sear the beef chunks in the Instant Pot on the Sauté function before adding the liquids and spices.
  • If you prefer a slightly smoky flavor without using chipotles, add 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
  • If the sauce seems too thin after shredding, use the Sauté function to reduce the liquid for 5 to 10 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://epicureempire.com/instant-pot-beef-barbacoa-for-tacos/