Instant Pot Barbacoa in Chipotle Sauce + Cilantro Lime Rice

Not sure what’s on the menu for today? Give this recipe a try! It’s got melt-in-your-mouth beef paired with the tangy (yet refreshing) cilantro lime rice. Overall, it’s a chef’s kiss!

Cooking Barbacoa Using an Instant Pot

Originally, I would make beef barbacoa in a slow cooker, but it just took way too much time. 

I wanted to see if I could cut the cooking period, so I tinkered around the kitchen and realized I had an instant pot lying around.

I gave it a whirl, and it’s become one of my favorite ways to prepare beef barbacoa. If you haven’t tried it before, let me share some tidbits I learned along the way:

• Beef: I’ve learned the hard way that the price of the beef doesn’t justify the quality. So, don’t be afraid to use a tough cut of meat like shoulder or chuck roast for this dish.
• Browning: I used to toss all my ingredients in a slow cooker and let the appliance do its magic. Little did I know that browning can add tons of deep, meaty flavors and aromas.
• Chipotles in adobo sauce: Speaking of strong flavors, this is my secret ingredient. Chipotles in adobo sauce are a game-changer when making barbacoa, believe me.

Making Cilantro Lime Rice From Scratch

Since barbacoa in itself is a dish that’s extremely savory, you need a side that can balance it out. Hence, cilantro lime rice is here to the rescue. And here’s how I make it:

• STEP 1: I start by prepping and cooking the Jasmine rice for about 15 minutes.
• STEP 2: Then, I transfer the rice to a separate bowl and mix in some lime juice, zest, and chopped cilantro. 
• STEP 3: Finally, I give it a good toss, and season it with some salt and lemon pepper seasoning (for an extra layer of flavor).

Getting Creative With the Toppings

On top of the cilantro lime rice, I love to round out my meal with a variety of toppings.

Since this dish features bold Mexican flavors, I like to stick with the theme and include ingredients like corn, tomatoes, avocados, and black beans.

You can also toss in sliced red onions and jalapeños for an added kick!

Instant Pot Barbacoa in Chipotle Sauce With Cilantro Lime Rice

Yield: 2 servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

This beef barbacoa with cilantro lime rice is an amazing recipe that’s filled with fresh and delectable Mexican flavors.

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Ingredients

For the Beef Barbacoa:

• 4 pounds of beef chuck roast
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 diced yellow onion
• 4 ounces of drained green chilies (in a can)
• 3 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 cup of beef broth
• 2 bay leaves

For the Chipotle Sauce:

• 1 can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 3 tablespoons of lime juice
• 1 tablespoon of Better than Bouillon beef base
• ⅓ cup of apple cider vinegar
• 5 cloves of garlic (roughly chopped)
• 3 teaspoons of ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons of Mexican oregano (if that’s not available, regular oregano is fine)
• ¼ teaspoon of ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon EACH of kosher salt and black pepper
• ½ cup of beef broth (with reduced sodium)

For the Cilantro Lime Rice:

• 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 1 cup of Jasmine rice (or any long-grain white rice you want)
• 1½ cups of water
• 1 zested and juiced lime
• ½ cup of fresh cilantro (freshly chopped)
• Lemon pepper seasoning (to taste)

Other Toppings (optional):

• ½ cup of cooked corn
• ½ cup of black beans (rinsed and drained)
• 1 diced Roma tomato
• ½ of an avocado
• Others: sour cream, salsa, sliced red onion, cheese

Instructions

To make the Beef Barbacoa with Chipotle Sauce:

1. Start by making your sauce by adding all the necessary ingredients to a blender or food processor. Pulse it until the mixture runs smooth, then set it aside. 
2. While your sauce is resting, prepare the beef by trimming the fat and cutting it into large pieces. Next, season it with salt and pepper.
3. Get your Instant Pot and pour your vegetable oil. Click “saute” to warm up the appliance. Once it gets hot, add your beef and cook for about a minute per side to brown. 
4. Take your browned beef out of the pot, and replace it with your onion. Saute your onion for 2 to 3 minutes or until it softens.
5. After that, add your beef broth, tomato paste, green chiles, and bay leaves. Now, bring your browned beef back into the pot. 
6. Pour your chipotle sauce on top along with your lime. Close the lid and press the setting “Pressure Cook.” Let the beef cook for about 1 hour.
7. 1 hour later, transfer the beef to a cutting board and shred using two forks. 
8. Scoop some of the liquid on your barbacoa to infuse it with more flavor.

To make the Cilantro Lime Rice:

1. Now, for the rice. First, rinse your rice using a strainer or a fine mesh sieve.
2. Then, grab a large saucepot, add your oil, and saute your garlic for about 30 seconds.
3. After that, add your rice and salt. Stir the mixture for a minute to lightly toast the rice.
4. Add your water and bring the mixture to a boil. Cover the pot and lower the heat. Let it simmer for around 10 to 15 minutes before taking your pot off the stove.
5. Transfer your rice to a separate bowl and mix in the rest of your ingredients. 
6. Lastly, plate your rice with your finished barbacoa and add your desired toppings.

Notes

Image credit to @ckinthekitchen.

Featured image credit to @jamieshealthyhome.