Tacos de Barbacoa de Res (Beef Barbacoa Tacos)
Tender, chilli-rich shredded beef in warm corn tortillas, topped with guacamole, onion and plenty of lime.
Made with Classic guacamole and Corn tortillas from masa harina and Barbacoa beef. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.85 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Put your ready made barbacoa beef (see the base recipe) in a pan with the water and any cooking juices you saved. Heat gently for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring, until steaming hot all the way through.
7 min - 2
Increase the heat for the last 2 minutes to let the juices cling to the meat, then taste for salt.
2 min - 3
Warm the ready made corn tortillas (see the base recipe) in a dry pan for 20 seconds each side, and keep them wrapped in a clean tea towel.
- 4
Mix the onion and coriander together.
- 5
Fill each tortilla with a heap of beef, a spoonful of your ready made classic guacamole (see the base recipe), the onion and coriander and a few radish slices. Serve with lime wedges.
Tips
- Use some of the beef cooking juices to moisten the meat. Dry reheated barbacoa tastes flat.
- Double up the tortillas so the juicy beef does not soak through.
- Add a drizzle of a hot salsa for extra heat; the beef itself is rich and mild-hot rather than fiery.
Storing and freezing
Keep leftover barbacoa in its juices in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Is barbacoa the same as barbecue?
The word is related, but in Mexico barbacoa means meat cooked slowly until very tender, traditionally in an underground pit. At home it is usually made in an oven or slow cooker.
Can I use another meat?
Yes, lamb shoulder is traditional in central Mexico, and beef cheek is excellent. Cook until it pulls apart with a fork.
Are these tacos gluten free?
Yes, as long as the stock and tortillas are labelled gluten free. The base recipe uses only gluten free ingredients.
More made with classic guacamole
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
