FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Barbacoa Tacos Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Barbacoa Tacos
• My Recipe Tips
• Serving Ideas
• Barbacoa Tacos Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

I think some of my best healthy recipes come from questions many of you ask — and you have your fellow readers to thank for my barbacoa tacos ! So many of you have been asking me how to make my Crock Pot barbacoa in the oven instead, and while I had a general idea how, it was about time to test it for myself. So, I tweaked my recipe for the meat to work best for the oven (hint: you need more liquid), loaded it up with toppings, and we had the most amazing taco night. If that sounds pretty great, make these with me!

Why You Need My Barbacoa Tacos Recipe

• Bold, flavorful, fall-apart tender beef – It soaks up all that smoky, tangy sauce chipotle peppers, garlic, lime, and spices… and practically shreds itself.
• Quick and easy prep, without special appliances – The meat takes minutes to throw together (the oven does most of the work), and all you need is a Dutch oven. And the toppings are so simple!
• Perfect for feeding a crowd – Whether it’s taco night with the fam or you’re having people over, my recipe for barbacoa tacos makes plenty. It’s much easier to make a big batch compared to regular steak tacos . Plus, everyone can build their own! My family all did theirs a little differently, but here I’ll show you how I make mine.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my barbacoa taco recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

Barbacoa Beef:

• Chuck Roast – You want a cut of beef with a lot of marbling and connective tissue, which will break down and get super tender as it cooks slowly. I originally made this recipe with beef chuck roast, but used brisket for the photos. Both of these work great!
• Beef Broth – This is an important one to keep your barbacoa tacos moist, as I found the meat dried out a lot more easily in the oven than the slow cooker. I had to triple the amount! Chicken broth will also work, but the beef flavor tastes much better.
• Acidic Ingredients – A blend of apple cider vinegar and fresh lime juice tenderizes the meat, plus both add flavor. You can use just one or the other (or even swap in other vinegars or lemon juice), but I like the taste best with this combo.
• Chipotle Chiles In Adobo – For smoky heat and yep, flavor (again)! If you want it spicier, toss in an extra pepper. Although chipotle chili powder can work (I’d do a teaspoon), it’s just not the same.
• Garlic – I highly recommend fresh, but 2 1/2 teaspoons of the jarred kind will work.
• Seasonings – Dried oregano , cumin , sea salt, black pepper, a pinch of ground cloves for a warm, earthy flavor, and a couple bay leaves . Feel free to also add a little smoked paprika for extra depth. The cloves are optional, as some people in my original recipe for the meat didn’t like them.
• Olive Oil – For searing the beef. Avocado oil works, too.

For The Tacos:

• Corn Tortillas – I use corn tortillas because I’m gluten-free, but you can use flour tortillas if they fit your lifestyle, or lettuce wraps for a lighter option.
• Cheese – I used Cotija cheese as it feels a little fancy and reminds me of the barbacoa tacos I’ve had in Mexico. You can go more classic American with cheddar or Mexican blend if you prefer.
• Fresh Toppings – Choose your faves! I went with red onion, fresh cilantro, my homemade fresh salsa , sliced avocado, and lime wedges for serving. My taco slaw goes really well in these, too.

How To Make Barbacoa Tacos

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Make the sauce. In a blender , combine the broth, chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, garlic, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, dried oregano, cumin, sea salt, black pepper, and ground cloves (if using). Puree until smooth.
2. Sear the beef. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add chunks of meat in a single layer and sear on both sides, until it’s nicely browned.

1. Cook low and slow in the oven . Pour the blended sauce over the seared beef, add the bay leaves, and tuck them into the liquid. Cover the pot and bake until the meat is super tender and easy to shred, flipping halfway through. When the barbacoa beef is fall-apart tender, shred it with two forks.
2. Prepare your toppings. Meanwhile, make my fresh salsa recipe here . (I cut the recipe in half, but you can make the whole thing if you want extra.) Towards the end of the oven time, chop any other fresh toppings — I added red onions, fresh cilantro, Cotija, and avocado slices.
3. Assemble the barbacoa tacos. Load up your tortillas with the meat and all your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

My Recipe Tips

• Sear the beef in a single layer. If it doesn’t fit, sear in batches, then place them all in the pot afterward.
• Check on your barbacoa halfway through to confirm that the liquid didn’t evaporate. It will vary depending on the size of the pot you use. ( I used this one in white.) Ideally you want to start with the liquid about halfway up the meat, so you can adjust the amount of broth if needed for that. If the pan is nearly dry halfway through, add more broth. This will prevent your meat from drying out.
• Don’t forget to flip to avoid dry spots. The pieces above the broth get more dry than the pieces in the liquid, but I find they all get fall-apart tender if I flip them. I wasn’t a fan of just submerging in liquid because it turned out like a soup.
• Prefer to use your slow cooker? This recipe is actually based on my Crock Pot barbacoa recipe , so you can definitely cook the barbacoa taco meat in that! It’s actually my preferred method, but I opted for the oven here just to give you another option.
• How this oven barbacoa compares to my slow cooker one: The oven version comes out more crispy, but not quite as moist as slow cooked. And it’s convenient when I don’t have all day to wait for it, since it’s faster!
• Warm your tortillas, and consider double layering them. This shredded beef is very moist, so it can soak through and cause your barbacoa tacos to break. Warming the tortillas makes them more flexible (read: less prone to breaking). An extra tortilla layer is also safer for breakage, but I don’t usually do this because I don’t want that much starch.
• Want chicken instead of beef? See my shredded chicken tacos for a similar vibe using chicken.

Serving Ideas

Most of the time, I serve these beef barbacoa tacos all by themselves, because they definitely have all the components of a full meal! But if you want something extra for an even better Mexican night, try these add-ons:

• Chips & Dip – If you made extra salsa, serve it with my baked tortilla chips ! Sometimes I throw together a quick guacamole or warm queso dip to go with them.
• Mexican Sides – If you want a side dish, try my cilantro lime cauliflower rice , black bean soup , or even elote for the ultimate Mexican night.

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

Barbacoa Beef:

• 3 cups Beef broth (or chicken broth) ▢
• 2 medium Chipotle chiles in adobo (including the sauce, about 4 tsp) ▢
• 5 cloves Garlic (minced or coarsely chopped) ▢
• 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar ▢
• 2 tbsp Lime juice ▢
• 1 tbsp Dried oregano ▢
• 2 tsp Cumin ▢
• 2 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1 tsp Black pepper ▢
• 1/2 tsp Ground cloves (optional) ▢
• 3 lb Chuck roast (or beef brisket; trimmed and cut into 2 inch chunks) ▢
• 1 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 2 whole Bay leaves ▢

Tacos:

• 1/2 recipe Fresh salsa ▢
• 24 medium Corn tortillas (or any tortillas of your choice) ▢
• 1/2 large Red onion (sliced into thin quarter moons) ▢
• 1 1/2 cups Fresh cilantro ▢
• 1 1/2 cups Cotija cheese (crumbled) ▢
• 3 medium Avocados (sliced thinly) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (163 degrees C).
2. In a blender , combine the broth, chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, garlic, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, dried oregano, cumin, sea salt, black pepper, and ground cloves (if using). Puree until smooth.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef in a single layer and sear for 2-4 minutes per side, until browned.
4. Pour the mixture from the blender over the beef. Add the bay leaves and push them into the liquid.
5. Cover the Dutch oven with a lid and transfer to the oven. Bake for about 4 hours, flipping the meat over halfway through, until it’s fall apart tender when shredded with 2 forks.
6. Meanwhile, make my fresh salsa recipe here . (Cut the recipe in half, or you can make the whole thing if you want extra.)
7. When the beef is done, shred it with two forks.
8. Assemble each taco in a corn tortilla with ~2 ounces of barbacoa beef, and ~2 tablespoons each of fresh salsa, red onions, fresh cilantro, Cotija cheese, and a couple avocado slices.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 2 barbacoa tacos

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get flavorful, fall-apart tender beef without dry spots, my alternate cooking method, and my best tips to prevent your barbacoa tacos from falling apart.
• Storage and meal prep: Keep leftovers in an airtight container (separate from the toppings) in the fridge for up to 4 days. I also often do this for meal prep, as it stores quite well.
• Reheat: I usually just microwave the meat, as it doesn’t dry out as long as I include some of the (solidified) liquid, but a skillet works, too. Add a splash of broth if it looks dry.
• Freeze: Let it cool, then freeze in a zip lock bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight if you can before reheating.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Spring Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Barbacoa Tacos

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Barbacoa Tacos

These barbacoa tacos are loaded with flavorful, fall-apart tender beef and fresh toppings! They’re so easy to make using just your oven.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/barbacoa-tacos/

Ingredients

Barbacoa Beef:

• 3 cups Beef broth (or chicken broth)
• 2 medium Chipotle chiles in adobo (including the sauce, about 4 tsp)
• 5 cloves Garlic (minced or coarsely chopped)
• 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp Lime juice
• 1 tbsp Dried oregano
• 2 tsp Cumin
• 2 tsp Sea salt
• 1 tsp Black pepper
• 1/2 tsp Ground cloves (optional)
• 3 lb Chuck roast (or beef brisket; trimmed and cut into 2 inch chunks)
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 whole Bay leaves

Tacos:

• 1/2 recipe Fresh salsa
• 24 medium Corn tortillas (or any tortillas of your choice)
• 1/2 large Red onion (sliced into thin quarter moons)
• 1 1/2 cups Fresh cilantro
• 1 1/2 cups Cotija cheese (crumbled)
• 3 medium Avocados (sliced thinly)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (163 degrees C).
2. In a blender , combine the broth, chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, garlic, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, dried oregano, cumin, sea salt, black pepper, and ground cloves (if using). Puree until smooth.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef in a single layer and sear for 2-4 minutes per side, until browned.
4. Pour the mixture from the blender over the beef. Add the bay leaves and push them into the liquid.
5. Cover the Dutch oven with a lid and transfer to the oven. Bake for about 4 hours, flipping the meat over halfway through, until it’s fall apart tender when shredded with 2 forks.
6. Meanwhile, make my fresh salsa recipe here . (Cut the recipe in half, or you can make the whole thing if you want extra.)
7. When the beef is done, shred it with two forks.
8. Assemble each taco in a corn tortilla with ~2 ounces of barbacoa beef, and ~2 tablespoons each of fresh salsa, red onions, fresh cilantro, Cotija cheese, and a couple avocado slices.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 2 barbacoa tacos

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get flavorful, fall-apart tender beef without dry spots, my alternate cooking method, and my best tips to prevent your barbacoa tacos from falling apart.
• Storage and meal prep: Keep leftovers in an airtight container (separate from the toppings) in the fridge for up to 4 days. I also often do this for meal prep, as it stores quite well.
• Reheat: I usually just microwave the meat, as it doesn’t dry out as long as I include some of the (solidified) liquid, but a skillet works, too. Add a splash of broth if it looks dry.
• Freeze: Let it cool, then freeze in a zip lock bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight if you can before reheating.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Spring Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)