Name: Barbacoa Beef Tacos with Two Sauces
Total time: 240 min
Ingredients: 4 large ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded; 4 dried chipotle chiles, stemmed; 3 celery ribs, chopped; 2 medium carrots, chopped; 1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced; 15 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled; 8 bay leaves; Six 1-lb., English-cut, bone-in beef short ribs; 2 tablespoons dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 2 tablespoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning; Freshly ground black pepper; Warm corn tortillas, cilantro sprigs, finely chopped white onion, and lime wedges, for serving; 1/2 pound tomatillos, husked, rinsed, and quartered; 1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro; 1 jalapeño, stemmed and chopped; 1 garlic clove, crushed and peeled; Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper

Barbacoa Beef Tacos with Two Sauces

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While most meat is put on the grill raw, these intensely flavorful Mexican beef short ribs from chef Roberto Santibañez are first braised with chiles and spices until meltingly tender. The cooked meat is then crisped on the grill, shredded and served in corn tortillas with a sauce made from the braising liquid and a fresh Salsa Verde Cruda.

By Roberto Santibañez

Updated on June 1, 2014

Barbacoa Beef Tacos with Two Sauces — Photo: © Con Poulos

Active Time:

1 hrs 50 mins

Total Time:

4 hrs

Yield:

Ingredients

Barbacoa Beef Tacos

4 large ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
4 dried chipotle chiles, stemmed
3 celery ribs, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
15 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
8 bay leaves
Six 1-lb., English-cut, bone-in beef short ribs
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
Freshly ground black pepper
Warm corn tortillas, cilantro sprigs, finely chopped white onion, and lime wedges, for serving

Salsa Verde Cruda

1/2 pound tomatillos, husked, rinsed, and quartered
1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
1 jalapeño, stemmed and chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed and peeled
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Braise the Meat

Preheat the oven to 325°F. In a medium skillet, toast the ancho chiles over moderate heat, turning, until pliable and charred in spots, about 2 minutes; let cool slightly, then tear into pieces.
In a large roasting pan, toss the ancho and chipotle chiles with the celery, carrots, onion, garlic, and bay leaves. In a large bowl, toss the short ribs with the oregano, cumin, and 2 tablespoons of salt. Arrange the ribs over the vegetables in the roasting pan. Add 2 cups of water to the pan, cover tightly with foil and braise in the oven for about 3 1/2 hours, until the meat is very tender.

Make the Salsa Verde Cruda

Combine all of the ingredients except the salt and pepper in a blender and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Make the Chile Sauce

Transfer the ribs to a baking sheet. Strain the braising liquid through a colander set over a heatproof bowl; skim off any fat. Discard the bay leaves and return the vegetables and chiles to the braising liquid. Working in batches, puree the vegetables and liquid in a blender until smooth. Season the sauce with salt and pepper.

Grill

Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Working in batches if necessary, grill the ribs over high heat, turning occasionally, until charred and crisp, about 5 minutes total. Transfer to a platter and, using two forks, shred the meat; discard the bones. Serve the barbacoa in warm corn tortillas with the sauce, cilantro, chopped onion, lime wedges, and Salsa Verde Cruda.

Make Ahead

The braised short ribs, salsa, and sauce can be refrigerated separately for 3 days. Warm the ribs in a low oven before grilling.