Barbacoa Tacos

beef

🥗Healthier: lean turkey

💰Cheaper: pork

Turkey is lower in fat, while pork is often less expensive.

corn tortillas

🥗Healthier: whole grain tortillas

💰Cheaper: flour tortillas

Whole grain offers more fiber, while flour tortillas can be cheaper.

Trim all hard fat and unnecessary pieces from the beef cheeks.

Season the trimmed beef cheeks with a salt, pepper, and garlic blend (Holy Cow seasoning).

Preheat the smoker to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Smoke the beef cheeks for about 2 hours, flipping them halfway through if desired.

Prepare a braising liquid by placing beef broth, garlic cloves, and white onion in a half pan.

Transfer the smoked beef cheeks into the braising liquid and cover.

Braise the beef cheeks until fork tender, approximately 5 hours.

Remove the beef cheeks from the braising liquid and shred the meat using gloves.

Mix the shredded beef with some of the braising liquid.

Warm the tortillas (smoked beef tallow tortillas recommended).

Assemble the tacos by loading them with shredded beef, chopped white onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Top with cotija cheese and hot sauce to taste.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary