Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa
This is probably the easiest way to make barbacoa at home – just sear the meat, dump everything in the pot, and let it do its thing. The dried chiles and coffee give it that deep, smoky flavor you get at good taco shops.
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Ingredients
Ingredients (~6 servings)
- 3 lbs bone-in beef chuck cut into large chunks
- 1/2 white onion sliced
- 6 cloves garlic peeled
- 4 dried guajillo chiles stems and seeds removed
- 2 dried ancho chiles stems and seeds removed
- 3 chile de arbol optional
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 3/4 tsp ground coriander
- 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 12 oz Negra Modelo beer or beef broth
- 3/4 cup cold brew coffee
- 3 Tbsp white vinegar
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
- 1 Tbsp neutral oil for searing
Instructions
- Pat beef dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in Instant Pot on sauté high until shimmering.
- Sear beef in batches 3-4 pieces at a time until golden brown on all sides, about 8-10 minutes total.
- Transfer seared beef to a plate.
- Return all beef to pot and add onion, garlic, dried chiles, cumin, coriander, oregano, black pepper, bay leaf, cinnamon, beer, coffee, and vinegar.
- Lock lid and pressure cook on high for 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Allow natural pressure release for 20 minutes.
- Transfer beef to a plate and remove bones.
- Scoop solids from braising liquid into a blender with half the liquid and blend until smooth, adding more liquid as needed for a spoon-coating consistency.
- Return beef and blended sauce to pot.
- Sauté on high for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally and gently breaking up meat, until sauce reduces and coats the beef.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve when sauce clings to meat with minimal liquid remaining.
Notes
Do not add salt during pressure cooking; season at the end for best flavor.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below & let me know!