Barbacoa is a classic dish from mexico, and if you think the word has a familiar sound, this is likely as it is also the mexican word for barbecue. But any resemblance to the grill we all know outside of mexico stops with the word. Barbacoa is a dish made through the long slow cooking of beef with strong seasonings. The meat is then cooled, shredded, and used as a filling for tacos or served over rice. Typically, the seasonings will include chipotle peppers, cumin, cloves, and garlicbut not exclusively. However, like many favorite classic dishes, everyone has their own personalized recipe. Essentially, the finished dish must be tender from the slow cooking and have a mild smoky flavor with a little sting of heat, but not too much heat. It requires a chipotle paste, which is an ingredient you can buy online, in specialty mexican grocers, or in some well-stocked supermarkets. (if you can't find chipotle paste, you can substitute ancho paste). Since this dish is cooked in a slow cooker for up to 10 hours, the best meat to use is brisket. This cut of meat is popular for its pronounced flavor, but more probably because it is cheaper and more affordable. Barbacoa should not be confused with carnitas, which is another slow-cooked dish that's made from pork.
