barbacoa

noun

bar·​ba·​coa ˌbär-bə-ˈkō-ə 

plural barbacoas

: a flavorful Mexican dish of shredded meat (such as beef, lamb, or goat) made by slow-cooking the meat in a marinade

Barbacoa as we know it today evolved in Mexico, where the most classic barbacoa is made in a natural oven dug into the ground, lined with heated rocks that cook meat enclosed in agave leaves, which keep the meat moist as it cooks.

—Andee Gosnell

… lunch on … barbacoa tacos of unctuous shredded beef packed into soft corn tortillas.

—Jane and Michael Stern

also : a food item made with barbacoa

For a greasier fix, try the barbacoas: beef tacos in a fried shell.

—Erika Stark

Examples of barbacoa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Today the company is grappling with decisions to raise prices to offset increases in wages, as well as consumer backlash over the ability to order some menu items only online—including Niccol’s favorite barbacoa quesadilla—and portion sizes, which some say have dwindled. —Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 3 June 2024

Visitors can get a barbacoa walking taco, BBQ sundae and beer bacon mac 'n' cheese. —Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 29 Nov. 2024

Sol Mexican Cocina Cuisine: Mexican Sol's menu is inspired by Baja coastal cooking and features Spanish octopus, ceviche, short rib barbacoa, tacos, quesadillas and desserts. —Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024

The limited-time menu item is currently the most expensive protein, topping even the chain’s steak and beef barbacoa options. —Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2024

The meat eaters can try the Venga street tacos ($12) — classically made with barbacoa, onions and cilantro. Bonus: On your drive home, stop at Pepe's Cafe in Ozona for the catfish tacos and a giant agua fresca. —Megan Stringer, Axios, 18 Oct. 2024

The East Austin classic serves up a daytime menu spanning options such as a barbacoa breakfast plate and many breakfast tacos, including Austin’s must-have migas tacos. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2024

And what’s the best way to boil an egg, bake a potato and make restaurant-style barbacoa? —Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Sep. 2024

Texas-style barbecue staples like brisket, slaw, and mac and cheese are served alongside charro beans, elote cups and the weekends-only smoked barbacoa. —Scott Hocker, theweek, 13 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Mexican Spanish, "barbecued meat, meat roasted in an earthen oven" — more at barbecue entry 2

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above