Pressure Cooker Beef Barbacoa

Name: Pressure Cooker Beef Barbacoa
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 85 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut in 2in cubes; 4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (canned), minced; 2 tbsp adobo sauce (from chipotle can); 1 cup beef broth (Whole30-compliant, no sugar added); 1/4 cup lime juice, freshly squeezed; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano (or regular oregano); 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 2 tsp kosher salt; 2 bay leaves; 2 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil

Deeply spiced, fall-apart shredded beef made from chuck roast braised with chipotle, adobo, cumin, and lime in a pressure cooker, ready in under an hour.

85 minMediumServes 6410 cal/serving

MexicanDinnerPressure CookerWhole30PaleoHigh ProteinLow CarbGluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut in 2in cubes
4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (canned), minced
2 tbsp adobo sauce (from chipotle can)
1 cup beef broth (Whole30-compliant, no sugar added)
1/4 cup lime juice, freshly squeezed
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried Mexican oregano (or regular oregano)
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
2 tsp kosher salt
2 bay leaves
2 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil

Instructions

1

Pat 3 lbs cut in 2in cubes beef chuck roast dry with paper towels. Season all sides generously with 2 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
2

Set the pressure cooker to the Saute function on high. Add 2 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil and heat until shimmering. Sear beef chuck roast in batches until deeply browned on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Do not crowd the pot. Transfer to a plate.
3

In a small bowl, whisk together 4 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (canned), 2 tbsp adobo sauce (from chipotle can), 1 cup beef broth (Whole30-compliant, no sugar added), 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano (or regular oregano), and 1 tsp smoked paprika.
4

Return all the beef to the pot. Pour the chipotle mixture over the beef. Add 2 bay leaves.
5

Secure the lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 50 minutes. When the timer ends, allow a 15-minute natural pressure release, then carefully quick-release any remaining pressure.
6

Remove and discard the bay leaves. Use two forks to shred the beef directly in the pot, then toss it in the cooking juices. Check that the internal temperature of the beef has reached at least 195°F (91°C) for proper shredding.
7

Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve over cauliflower rice or in lettuce cups for Whole30, or in corn tortillas otherwise.

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Questions

How much time should I plan for Pressure Cooker Beef Barbacoa?

As written, 85 minutes: 25 of prep and 60 of cooking. The longest single stretch is step 5 (50 minutes): "Cook on high pressure for 50 minutes."

What internal temperature should Pressure Cooker Beef Barbacoa reach?

For Pressure Cooker Beef Barbacoa, the target internal temperature is 195 F (about 90 C), given in step 6. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Can I skip the searing in Pressure Cooker Beef Barbacoa?

Step 2 reads: "Sear beef chuck roast in batches until deeply browned on all sides, about 3 minutes per side." You can, but you give up flavor. The browning in step 2 builds the savory base the rest of the dish is seasoned against. Give the pieces room so the pan stays hot.

What can I use instead of chipotle in adobo in Pressure Cooker Beef Barbacoa?

The entry for Pressure Cooker Beef Barbacoa calls for 4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (canned), minced. In its place: Use smoked paprika with a pinch of cayenne and a teaspoon of tomato paste per pepper.

Can I make Pressure Cooker Beef Barbacoa less spicy?

Yes. The heat in Pressure Cooker Beef Barbacoa comes from 4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (canned), minced and 2 tbsp adobo sauce (from chipotle can). For a milder plate, start with half the chipotles and add more to taste at the end; nothing else in the method changes.

Is Pressure Cooker Beef Barbacoa keto-friendly?

A serving of Pressure Cooker Beef Barbacoa carries 12 g of carbohydrate, 2 g of it fiber. Against a strict 20 g keto day that is 60 percent of the budget; against a moderate 100 g low-carb day it is 12 percent.

How many calories are in Pressure Cooker Beef Barbacoa?

One serving (the recipe makes 6) is about 410 calories, with 38 g protein, 12 g carbohydrate and 16 g fat, plus 2 g fiber and 1200 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

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