There are few things as delicious as beef barbacoa when it comes to Mexican cuisine. This shredded beef dish is perfect for feeding a large crowd, and it goes well with a variety of side dishes.
If you’re looking for the perfect pairing to serve with beef barbacoa, look no further! If you are fond of rice and beans or want something different like salsa, chips, or tacos we’ve got you covered.
We’ve got ten delicious options for you to choose from. And if you are getting confused about which side will be perfect, some easy instructions on how to serve are added with each pairing.
Top 10 Side Dishes To Serve With Beef Barbacoa
When it comes to pairing food, there are certain combinations that just seem to work well together. Here are 10 of the best pairings to serve with beef barbacoa:
1. Salsa With Beef Barbacoa
Salsa is a great choice of side to serve with beef barbacoa. It’s flavorful and acidic, which helps to cut through the richness of the beef.
Green salsa with Arbol chili peppers complements the deep, earthy flavors of barbacoa. Another enjoyable combination would be homemade shredded beef tacos (barbacoa) with fresh roasted tomatillo salsa. This specific combination is flavorful and offers a reason to use the instant pot. The combination of barbacoa, tacos, and salsa Roja is also a perfect choice, especially with leftover barbacoa.
LEARN MORE: Best Meat Thermometer For Smokers
2. Pico De Gallo With Beef Barbacoa
Pico de gallo is a sort of salsa often used in Mexican cuisine. It is also known as salsa Fresca, salsa Bandera, and salsa Cruda. It’s prepared with chopped tomato, onion, and serrano peppers, as well as salt, lime juice, and cilantro, in the traditional way.
Pico de gallo, with its unique flavor and fresh taste, always brings out the best in meat-based dishes. So it goes well with beef barbacoa to add some crunch in it.
3. Rice With Beef Barbacoa
One of the most popular combinations of beef barbacoa is rice and veggies. If you want something filling, affordable, and delicious to go with your beef barbacoa, Mexican rice is a good choice. It has a more rich flavor and a more appealing appearance than typical steamed white rice.
You can find numerous barbacoa rice bowls recipes to try out. Among them, Barbacoa with lime rice may be a unique choice for many. In this dish, first, the basic white rice is cooked and then mixed with lime juice, cilantro, salt, and a little bit of oil to toss until complete mixing.
4. Beef Barbacoa With Beans
If you are choosing beans to serve with your beef barbacoa, you will have a nutritious, healthy, and filling option.
This barbacoa and black bean chili might just become your new go-to favorite if you’re seeking a beef and bean chili dish that’s a little unusual. You can try a couple more spices and cook everything together to blend the flavors.
5. Beef Barbacoa With Corn Tortillas
Barbacoa is usually served with corn tortillas made from scratch, onions chopped fresh, and cilantro. Wrap corn tortillas around the meat and other ingredients, like vegetables or sauces, for a quick and delicious supper.
The onions and cilantro provide a crisp, vegetal contrast to the meat’s deep, powerful flavors. To amp up the heat, pour some lime juice on top and drizzle on some sour purchased or homemade hot sauce.
6. Beef Barbacoa With Torta
Barbacoa is served inside Tortas, or Mexican-style sandwiches, in northern Mexico, particularly in the state of Chihuahua. Bolillo rolls are commonly used to make Tortas.
Any crusty water roll, on the other hand, can be used to make a Torta. In a pinch, kaiser rolls or ciabatta buns would suit, but make sure the bread is strong enough to resist the thick meat filling. Onions, cilantro, refried beans, avocado, lettuce, cabbage, and refried beans are common Torta toppings.
7. Beef Barbacoa With Guacamole
Guacamole is a sauce made from mashed avocado, with salt, lime juice, white onion, and sometimes tomato added. What could be better than topping your beef barbacoa with some fresh guacamole? Barbacoa beef will give your guacamole a kick!
The creamy avocado pairs perfectly with the spicy beef, and takes the dish to a whole new level. This pairing is savory and tasty, and it will satisfy even the pickiest of taste senses!
To garnish your barbacoa with this appealing sauce, mash avocados in a small bowl and add lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper after adding the barbacoa and barbacoa sauce to the guacamole mixture. Serve with crunchy, crusty bread or tortilla chips.
8. Beef Barbacoa With Quesadillas
Barbacoa can also be used as a filler for burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas, among other Mexican cuisines. Barbacoa quesadilla is one of these that is both tasty and simple to prepare.
Pressure-cooking the beef roast with a wonderful chipotle sauce, then melting cheese in the best tortillas and serving with salsas is a quick and easy way to make this amazing meaty dish.
LEARN MORE: How to Cook Turkey Bacon?
9. Beef Barbacoa And Chips
A classic pairing, chips are the perfect way to scoop up all of that delicious barbacoa. When it comes to Mexican chips you can look for varieties from the traditional chips styles. Nachos, Tortilla chips are the most popular and crunchy snacks that can go with any Mexican meaty filling.
Serve the barbacoa with white queso, an appealing side dish found on a restaurant menu. Toss it all together with tomatoes, fresh jalapenos, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese on top of tortilla chips.
You can also try the slow cooker beef barbacoa nachos recipe. This platter of Barbacoa Beef Nachos is a crowd-pleasing appetizer or lunch –toasted chips with layers of slow cooker beef barbacoa melted cheese and topped with tasty toppings.
10. Beef Barbacoa And Chimichurri
This Argentinian sauce is made with parsley, oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, and olive oil. It’s the perfect way to add some flavor to your barbacoa.
Serve your barbacoa tacos with chimichurri sauce and nothing else. Allow the flavors to mingle and stand on their own. The Chimichurri sauce, in contrast to barbacoa, comes together in about 2 minutes. Simply add the cilantro, parsley, and pepper to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
LEARN MORE: Best Meat Tenderizers To Buy Online
Conclusion
Now you know, beef barbacoa is a delicious dish that pairs well with many different dishes.
If you like crunchy American tacos, barbacoa is a great compliment and a wonderful change from ground beef. Barbacoa can also be used to make casseroles, fillings for empanadas, over spaghetti, or simply eaten with some cooked rice. The possibilities for using barbacoa in your cooking are endless.