Tacos de Barbacoa (Slow Braised Beef Tacos)
Soft, spiced shredded beef piled onto warm corn tortillas and finished with a spoonful of red salsa.
Made with Salsa roja (cooked red 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
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.69 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 4 tbsp of its cooking juices or water. Cover and heat gently for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until steaming hot all the way through.
9 min - 2
Meanwhile, mix the onion and coriander in a small bowl with a pinch of salt.
- 3
Warm your ready made salsa roja (see the base recipe) in a small pan for 3 minutes until hot.
3 min - 4
Heat the oil in a dry frying pan and warm the corn tortillas for 30 seconds a side, then keep wrapped in a tea towel.
1 min - 5
For a crisp edge, press the shredded beef into the hot pan for 2 minutes and let it brown before filling.
2 min - 6
Spoon the beef into the tortillas, add the onion and coriander mix and the radish, and finish with salsa roja. Serve with lime wedges.
Tips
- Moisten the beef with a little of its braising liquid before reheating. Dry beef makes dry tacos.
- Warm the tortillas just before serving and keep them wrapped. Cold corn tortillas crack as soon as you fold them.
- Serve with an extra bowl of salsa on the table so people can add heat to taste.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours and keep the leftover beef in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Freezes for 2 months.
Questions
What is the difference between barbacoa and birria?
Barbacoa is a slow braised beef or lamb seasoned with chillies and spices and served as tacos. Birria usually comes with a rich red chilli consomme for dipping.
Can I use the leftover juices?
Yes. Serve a small cup of the beef juices on the side for dipping, or stir some into rice. Skim the fat first if you prefer.
Is this spicy?
Mild to medium. The barbacoa base brings gentle heat and the salsa roja adds more. Serve extra salsa on the side for people who like it hotter.
More made with salsa roja (cooked red salsa)
Burritos Mojados (Smothered Wet Burritos)
EFNFChiles Poblanos Rellenos de Arroz y Queso (Poblano Chillies Stuffed with Red Rice and Cheese)
GFEFNFChalupas Poblanas de Pollo y Carnitas (Puebla Style Masa Boats)
GFDFEFSopa Aguada de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup)
NFDouble 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.