Barbacoa beef is a classic Mexican dish that is full of rich, savory flavor. The slow-cooked meat practically melts in your mouth and is incredibly tender. But what should you serve alongside this delicious beef to make it a complete meal? Here are 15 amazing side dishes that perfectly complement barbacoa beef.
An Overview of Barbacoa Beef
Barbacoa beef refers to beef that has been slow-cooked until extremely tender. It is often made with beef cheeks or brisket. The meat is rubbed with spices like cumin, garlic, and chipotle chili powder. Then, it is slowly braised in a flavorful liquid like beef broth, tomatoes, beer, or even pineapple juice. This long cooking time allows the meat to become fall-apart tender while soaking up all the delicious flavors.
Barbacoa beef is a popular taco filling, but it can also be served on its own alongside rice, beans, and plenty of fresh garnishes The richness of the meat pairs well with bright, acidic flavors and crunchy textures. That’s why salsas, slaws, and pickled vegetables make such excellent accompaniments Let’s explore some specific options!
15 Side Dishes to Serve with Barbacoa Beef
1. Spanish Rice
Spanish rice, sometimes called Mexican rice, is an excellent pairing with barbacoa beef. To make it, rice is cooked in a tomato sauce seasoned with garlic, onions, and spices. The rice soaks up the flavorful sauce and turns a beautiful reddish color. Spanish rice has a mild sweetness that balances out the hearty meat.
2. Refried Beans
No Mexican meal is complete without refried beans! Their smooth, creamy texture and earthy flavor complement the richness of the barbacoa. Refried beans also add protein and fiber. Make them extra tasty by frying them with onions, garlic, and epazote.
3. Guacamole
Fresh guacamole adds a cool, creamy element that cuts through the fattiness of the beef. Mash up some ripe avocados with lime juice, cilantro, onions, tomatoes, and serrano chilies for aclassic version. For variety, add mango, pineapple, or even bacon.
4. Nachos
Pile tortilla chips high with shredded barbacoa, beans, cheese, jalapeños, guacamole, pico de gallo, and any other favorite toppings. Nachos make for an exciting, interactive side dish that can be an appetizer or a main meal.
5. Tostadas
Crispy tostada shells are the perfect vessel for barbacoa beef. Top them with lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream for a tasty crunchy-meets-tender texture contrast.
6. Grilled Corn on the Cob
The natural sweetness of grilled corn is a refreshing change of pace from the rich meat. Char it on the grill to impart a wonderfully smoky flavor. Slather it with mayonnaise, cotija cheese lime juice and chili powder for elote-style corn on the cob.
7. Pico de Gallo
Fresh pico de gallo salsa adds a burst of garden-fresh flavor. The acidity from the tomatoes, onions, cilantro and lime cuts through the unctuousness of the barbacoa. Make it as mild or spicy as you prefer.
8. Mexican Street Corn Salad
For another spin on corn, try Mexican street corn salad. It combines grilled corn kernels with a mayo-cotija dressing and spices for creamy, tangy flavor. The crunch of the corn plays nicely off the tender beef.
9. Flour Tortillas
Warm flour tortillas are a no-brainer side for barbacoa beef tacos or burritos. Look for handmade ones when possible for the best flavor and texture. Serve the tortillas wrapped in a clean towel to keep them warm and pliable.
10. Jicama Slaw
Cool, crunchy jicama slaw refreshes the palate with its crisp texture and tangy dressing. Jicama, a Mexican root vegetable, has an apple-like crunch. Toss it with cabbage, cilantro, and a citrusy vinaigrette.
11. Cilantro Lime Rice
For a fresh, vibrant take on rice, stir some chopped cilantro and lime juice into the finished grains. The bright, tangy flavor serves as a pleasant contrast to the rich barbacoa beef.
12. Steak Fajitas
Turn your barbacoa beef into fajitas by sautéing slices with bell peppers and onions. Wrap it all up in tortillas for a full-flavored and satisfying handheld meal.
13. Queso Fundido
Warm, gooey queso fundido is Mexican comfort food at its finest. Stir shredded barbacoa right into the melted cheese for a decadent treat, and scoop it up with tortillas.
14. Black Bean Salad
Black beans, corn, tomato, avocado and cilantro in a lime vinaigrette makes for a refreshing salad. The crisp veggies and tangy dressing cut through the unctuous meat.
15. Chiles Rellenos
For an over-the-top pairing, stuff poblano peppers with barbacoa, then dip them in an egg batter and fry. The combination of the rich meat, melty cheese and crisp fried exterior is incredible.
Elevate Your Barbacoa Meal
Barbacoa beef deserves accompaniments with just as much vibrant flavor. The possibilities are endless, but these 15 sides offer a delicious mix of textures, flavors, and colors to make your meal complete. Try out fun additions like street corn salad, chiles rellenos or jicama slaw. Or keep it classic with Spanish rice and beans. However you choose to complement it, barbacoa beef is sure to be the star of your next Mexican feast!
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Mexican street corn salad is a delicious combination of grilled corn, cotija cheese, mayonnaise, and spices. This flavorful and creamy side dish enhances the barbacoa beef experience, adding a rich, tangy element to your meal.
Flour tortillas are a versatile side dish that allows you to create your own barbacoa tacos or burritos. They are soft, pliable, and perfect for soaking up the delicious juices from the meat.
Jicama slaw is a refreshing and crunchy side dish made from jicama, cabbage, and a tangy dressing. It adds a crisp texture to your meal, contrasting nicely with the tender barbacoa beef, and helps to cleanse the palate.
Pico de Gallo
Pico de Gallo is a fresh and zesty salsa made from chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice. Its an excellent side dish to serve with barbacoa beef, as it cuts through the richness of the meat and adds a vibrant kick to your meal.
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FAQ
What is traditionally served with barbacoa?
You can serve barbacoa the traditional way with lots of chile broth topped with chopped onion and cilantro. Or you can serve the beef shanks whole Osso Bucco style with mashed potatoes and a chile broth gravy. (Yum!)
What is a good side dish for barbacoa?
- Mexican Rice.
- Cilantro Lime Rice.
- Refried Beans.
What to make with barbacoa meat?
- Tacos: Make barbacoa tacos with diced onions, chopped cilantro, red salsa, and a fresh squeeze of lime juice.
- Burrito Bowls: Build a barbacoa burrito bowl to replicate your favorite Chipotle version! …
- Salads: For a lighter meal, swap your base for chopped lettuce!
What condiments go well with barbacoa?
Serve the barbacoa with the tortillas, salsa and/or hot sauce, onion, cilantro and lime.
What to eat with barbacoa beef?
Here’s the short answer. The best side dishes to serve with barbacoa beef are corn tortillas, cilantro lime rice, pickled red onions, and esquites. Pico de gallo, frijoles de olla, or dill pickle coleslaw are also great options. Give sheet pan nachos, yaki udon noodles, or huevos rancheros a try for more unique choices. Ready? Let’s jump right in.
What can be served with barbacoa?
Barbacoa is served with beans and potatoes. You can choose to have it A la Mexicana, en salsa, or with nopales. Two eggs can also be added to the dish, served with beans and potatoes.
What to do with leftover barbacoa beef?
If you’ve got some leftover barbacoa beef – try it with baked potatoes for lunch. A popular hack to get these spuds done in just 15 minutes is to zap them in the microwave. But baking them in the oven will always be superior – it’ll give you soft, fluffy potatoes with deliciously crisp skin.
What goes well with Lamb barbacoa?
The zesty notes of lime and the aromatic essence of coriander perfectly complement the rich and savoury profile of Lamb Barbacoa. Together, they create a harmonious blend that tantalizes the taste buds and elevates the overall dining experience. Coleslaw is a great dish for adding freshness and texture to the Easter meal.