Barbacoa (Mexican Pulled Beef)
 

Loosely based on this recipe from Amy & Jacky and this one at Skinnytaste. From googling around a bunch of different recipes, it seems like there are endless variations and it's probably pretty forgiving. :thup:

Beef and marinade: (you could probably skip the marinade)
- 2-3 lbs beef, I used 3 eye of round steaks
- few Tbsp olive oil (mine was infused with lime)
- few Tbsp lime juice
- splash of apple cider vinegar
- about 1/2 tsp each of chili powder, garlic powder and cumin (needs more next time)
- about 2 tsp adobo sauce from a can of chipotles

Combine and put in the fridge until you're ready to cook.

For the Instant Pot (or slow cooker):
- olive oil or other oil with a fairly high smoke point
- 1 small onion
- 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 can Rotel tomatoes + chilis
- 2 chipotles or to taste (hint: you can freeze the rest)
- about 1/2 cup beef broth or water

IP:
- Heat olive oil, sear the meat on both sides, set aside
- Add a bit more oil, sautee the onions and peppers.
- Deglaze the pan with beef broth - stir in all those tasty brown bits
- Add the Rotels, remaining marinade and meat juices. Stir.
- Submerge the meat (doesn't need to be completely submerged; it'll shed water), cook on high pressure for 45 min
- I did a quick pressure release b/c I was in a hurry - probably doesn't matter.
- Remove meat, turn cooker to "sautee" to thicken the sauce somewhat. Stir occasionally.
- Shred the beef while it's thickening, puree the sauce with an immersion blender.
- Add it all back together

Slow cooker: same idea, just do your sauteeing in a pan on the stove, then let the meat cook 6-8 hrs as you see fit.

** Times will be different if you use a roast instead of steaks.

Serve with your favourite toppings: I had some on a bed of lettuce with sour cream, a bit of chopped red onion, cilantro and fresh lime. :cool: DH got his on tortillas.


**Variations: most recipes called for fresh garlic; I didn't have any. Some called for tomato paste, canned green chilis, and/or Worcestershire sauce.

**Before you ask, no, I don't have nutrition info. ;) I didn't measure anything.