Barbacoa is traditionally a slow-cooked meal, such as Nihari and Haleem. Since this recipe takes so long to cook, it’s usually made only on special occasions. But thanks to the Instant Pot, you can cook it as often as you like!
Why you’ll love this recipe
One pot recipe- You braise, cook and finish cooking everything in just one pot, just like in my Hyderabadi Khatti Daal recipe. Short cooking time - The Instant Pot takes a fraction of the time compared to other cooking methods and yields fantastic results when cooking beef recipes like braised beef short ribs or these Mexican shredded beef tacos. Fewer dishes to wash - This is definitely a perk, since all the cooking is in one pot, washing up is much easier. Less kitchen clean Up - Since the IP is so deep and stays covered for most of the time the meat is cooking, there are fewer splatters than with traditional cooking.
The ingredients
Beef Eye Round - I use eye of round for this recipe. It’s a lean and budget-friendly cut of beef that works really well for marinated and slow-cooked recipes like this one and my Pakistani beef roast with tandoori masala. Beef Broth - The Eye of Round doesn’t have the same rich flavor that many other cuts of beef do. Adding some beef broth to it results in a richer taste. Yellow Onion - I like to use yellow onions for this recipe, with red onions being a good second choice. Serrano Chilies - I use serrano chilies for most of my recipes. Cooking Oil - I use avocado oil for this recipe. Some other great options are canola, sunflower, or peanut.
Garlic paste - Homemade garlic paste, or fresh garlic cloves are essential to this recipe (read the notes in the recipe card). Tomato paste - Tomato paste adds tons of flavor to any meat and is a key ingredient in this recipe as well as my Roast Leg of Goat. Paprika - The paprika adds a delicious hint of smokiness to the meat. Cumin - Cumin gives this beef an authentic Mexican flavor.
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.
Substitutes & variations
Try an alternate cut of beef - Other good alternatives to the eye of the round are Chuck Roast, Beef Brisket, and Rump Roast. Use this trick to reduce cooking time -Cut the beef into 4 pieces and you will only have to cook it for 1 hour to get the desired results. Alternate serving options - Enjoy the beef in a lettuce wrap or turn it into a bowl with rice. Different cooking techniques - Cook the beef in a slow cooker or on the stovetop instead!
Step-by-step instructions
The recipe for this Mexican Shredded Beef is very simple, no matter which cooking method you opt for. The marinade comes together in under 10 minutes and the ingredients are simple and easy to source.
Expert Tips
Cook the meat in 1 large piece - For best results, cook the meat in one large piece. The meat shreds better this way. Don’t skip the tomato paste - The tomato paste adds a deep, rich, and complex taste to this recipe. Its acidity lends the perfect balance to the taste of the meat and the smoky spices, while also helping to thicken the sauce.
Other recipes you may like
For more Pakistani recipes like this, check out 20 popular Pakistani recipes. If you decide to try this recipe, Please don’t forget to leave a rating and comment below! If you take a picture then tag me on Instagram! Thank You!
