Tacos de Barbacoa de Res con Salsa Verde (Beef Barbacoa Tacos)
Slow cooked chilli beef pulled into soft strands and served in warm tortillas with tangy tomatillo salsa and raw onion.
Made with Salsa verde (cooked tomatillo salsa) and Corn tortillas from masa harina and Barbacoa beef. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time20 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.98 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
Use your ready made barbacoa beef (see the base recipe). Put it in a saucepan with 3 tbsp water, cover and warm over a low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until steaming hot all the way through.
9 min - 2
Meanwhile, warm your ready made corn tortillas (see the base recipe) in a dry pan for 20 to 30 seconds a side and wrap them in a clean tea towel.
- 3
Warm the salsa verde (see the base recipe) in a small pan for 2 minutes, or serve it cold if you prefer.
- 4
Fill the tortillas with the beef and a little of its sauce. Top with chopped onion, coriander and radish.
- 5
Spoon over the salsa verde, squeeze over lime and serve straight away.
Tips
- Serve the strained juices from the barbacoa in small cups for dipping, the way it is done in Mexico.
- Chop the raw onion very fine and rinse it under cold water for 20 seconds if you find it harsh.
- Double up the tortillas for each taco so they hold the juicy beef without breaking.
- Leftover beef is excellent in a quesadilla the next day.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Cool within 1 to 2 hours, freeze the beef in portions for up to 3 months and reheat until steaming hot all the way through, once only.
Questions
Is barbacoa very hot?
It is smoky and warm rather than fiery. The chipotles give depth, and the heat is controlled by the salsa verde you add at the table.
Can I use pork or lamb instead?
Yes. The barbacoa base is beef, but lamb shoulder or pork shoulder shredded into the same sauce works well in these tacos.
Are these tacos gluten free and dairy free?
Yes. Beef, tomatillo salsa, onion and masa harina tortillas contain no gluten, dairy, egg or nuts. Check the masa harina pack for a gluten free label if you cook for someone with coeliac disease.
More made with salsa verde (cooked tomatillo salsa)
Tacos de Chicharron en Salsa Verde (Pork Crackling in Green Salsa Tacos)
EFNFCazuela de Pollo y Arroz Verde al Horno (Baked Chicken and Green Rice Casserole)
GFEFNFTamales de Pollo en Salsa Verde (Chicken Tamales in Green Tomatillo Salsa)
GFDFEFChilaquiles Verdes con Queso Blanco (Green Chilaquiles with Queso)
GFNFVSee every dish made with salsa verde (cooked tomatillo salsa)
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.