Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef

What is Barbacoa Beef?

Barbacoa is a traditional style of Mexican cooking with many regional variations. 

It generally refers to slow-cooking meat (usually lamb, goat, beef, or pork) over an open fire for a long time until the meat becomes juicy, flavorful & falling-apart tender. Then, it’s traditionally served on warm corn tortillas with salsa.

Traditional barbacoa is most often found at market stalls served for breakfast, brunch, and dinner; at parties or other special occasions.

Barbacoa Beef is pulled beef that has soaked up all the bold & exciting savory-umami-spicy-tangy-salty flavors from the rich chipotle sauce and spices. yummy~

One of the things we miss the most is dining out! We love trying new restaurants, exploring new cuisines, and getting to know the restauranteurs & chefs. 

For now, let’s roll up our sleeves and explore new dishes & try out new recipes as we have some tasty fun experiments in our kitchens!

Come join us to make Barbacoa in Instant Pot!

Step-by-Step Guide: Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef

Tools for Instant Pot Barbacoa

• Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker
• Immersion Hand Blender
• Mortar and Pestle
• Wooden Spoon
• Pyrex Measuring Cups
• Mixing Bowl

Here are the ingredients for cooking Beef Barbacoa in Instant Pot:

*Pro Tip: We got our chuck roast delivered from a local butcher. If possible, try to find one that’s full of fat and beautiful marbling for the best results. 🙂 

For the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, we chose this “LA Costena” brand (shown in the photo below).

*Pro Tip: 1 or 2 tablespoons of this sauce will add complexity and smokiness to the barbacoa beef recipe.

*Note: We like to ground our whole spices, so we ground the cumin seeds, whole cloves, and dried oregano with our mortar and pestle

*Note: However, using pre-ground spices will work with this Instant Pot Barbacoa.

Brown Chuck Roast Steak

First, heat up Instant Pot Pressure Cooker using “Sauté More” function, and wait until it says “HOT”.

*Pro Tip: Make sure the Instant Pot is as hot as it can be in order to induce a maillard reaction.

Pat dry the chuck roast steak, then season one side generously with salt and black pepper.

Then, drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil in the inner pot, and ensure to coat the oil over the whole bottom of the pot.

Carefully place the seasoned side of chuck steak in Instant Pot. Then, generously season the other side with salt and black pepper.

Brown one side for 5 minutes before flipping over, then brown the other side for another 5 minutes.

Finally, remove the browned chuck steak, then set aside.

Saute Onion and Garlic

Now, add minced onions in Instant Pot, and saute for 3 minutes.

Then, add minced garlic, 1½ tsp (3g) ground cumin, ¼ tsp (0.4g) ground cloves, 2 bay leaves, and 2 tsp (1.3g) dried oregano in Instant Pot, and saute for another minute. 

Deglaze Instant Pot

Pour in 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock, then deglaze by scrubbing all the flavorful brown bits off the bottom with a wooden spoon. Give it a quick mix.

Pressure Cook Barbacoa Beef

Add 1 tbsp (15ml) regular soy sauce, 1 tbsp (15ml) fish sauce (optional), 2 tbsp (30ml) apple cider vinegar, and 2 – 3 chipotles with 2 tbsp adobo sauces in Instant Pot, then give it a quick mix.

*Spicy Tip: Adjust how many chipotles to use based on how spicy you want your barbacoa beef.

*Pro Tip: Use the wooden spoon to chop and smash the chipotles a bit (see below photo).

Then, place chuck roast into the cooking liquid.

With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.

• Pressure Cooking Method: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 45 minutes, then 15 minutes Natural Release

After 15 minutes, release the remaining pressure by turning the Venting Knob to Venting position.

Remove the lid carefully.

Season & Thicken Barbacoa Sauce

Place chuck roast steak in a large mixing bowl and shred the beef with 2 forks.

While you’re shredding the beef, bring the barbacoa sauce mixture to a simmer with the “Saute More” function.

*Pro Tip: Allow the yummy sauce to reduce while you’re shredding the beef. 

*Pro Tip: If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend the sauce with an immersion blender. This will also add some extra body to the sauce.

Then, add the shredded beef in Instant Pot. Taste and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt (roughly 1 – 2 pinches of salt).

Garnish & Serve Barbacoa Beef

Finally, place the piping hot Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa on the warmed corn tortillas with a spoonful of salsa (Pico De Gallo).

And finish it with a squeeze of fresh lime.

This Barbacoa Beef is super versatile. You can serve it as tacos, nachos, burritos, enchiladas, or serve it with rice, and more!

Enjoy this Flavor-bombing Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef!

More Instant Pot Taco Recipes You’ll Love

Instant Pot Carnitas (Crispy Mexican Pulled Pork)

Instant Pot Chicken Tacos