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    Home » Recipes » Beef

    Instant Pot Barbacoa Quesadillas

    Published: August 28, 2020 · Updated: April 6, 2021 · By: Krissy · 83 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Barbacoa Quesadillas are made quick and easy by pressure cooking the beef roast with an amazing chipotle sauce, then melting cheese in the best tortillas.

    Barbacoa Quesadillas with pickled radish topping

    Why this recipe works:

    You don't often think of a quesadilla coming from an Instant Pot recipe. Although this barbacoa beef can be eaten on it's own or in burritos, tacos, or enchiladas, a tasty quesadilla is my favorite choice!

    • Cooking a bone-in chuck roast in an Instant Pot with the right seasonings and enough liquid to bring it to pressure creates unbelievably tender and flavorful meat.
    • Using an Instant Pot to cook a roast that usually needs to be braised, not only drastically decreases the cooking time but it helps infuse the flavors into the meat.
    • The beef is super easy to shred.
    • Since you're making this from scratch, you can easily modify the ingredients to make it more or less spicy.

    Ingredients needed:

    A rather long list of ingredients is needed to create the amazing flavors in this recipe, but it's actually fairly simple to make.

    • For the barbacoa beef, you will need a chuck roast, onion, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, chipotle in adobo, tomato paste, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes, bay leaves, cloves, beef broth, oil and salt
    • For the quesadillas you will need corn tortillas and shredded cheese
    • For the quick pickled radish garnish, you'll need radishes, jalapeno, red onion, lime juice, salt and cilantro
    Chipotle Barbacoa

    How to make Instant Pot barbacoa beef:

    1. To reduce over all cooking time and to create the best flavor, you will cut the roast into smaller pieces and brown them in the Instant Pot.
    2. Once the meat has been browned and transferred to a separate plate, you will saute the onion to give it flavor and help release any bits of meat that may have stuck to the bottom of the pot.
    3. Then, all of the meat and remaining ingredients get added to the Instant Pot and cooked on high pressure for an hour.
    4. The meat gets transferred to a cutting board where it will get separated from the fat and bone while the sauce gets further reduced and thickened in the Instant Pot. The shredded beef then gets stirred into the flavorful sauce.
    shredded barbacoa beef

    How to make the quesadillas:

    1. Lightly oil the corn tortillas on one side.
    2. Set the oil side on a hot griddle.
    3. Layer cheese, barbacoa beef, and then more cheese before topping with a tortilla.
    4. Cook until the tortilla starts to brown and the cheese melts. Flip once and cook on the other side. 
    5. Top with the pickled radishes!
    Beef barbacoa quesadilla recipe

    Cooking tips:

    There are a few easy tips to creating the most wonderful, tender Barbacoa in your own kitchen.

    • Chose the right cut of meat. I recommend finding a roast that has a fair amount of marbled fat as well as bone. I think a chuck roast is the perfect choice when making chipotle barbacoa because it cooks up so incredibly tender and is easy to shred.
    • Good barbacoa requires excellent seasoning. Although there are a lot of ingredients, each one plays it's roll in creating a very unique flavor. I don't recommend any substitutions, but you can certainly increase or decrease the amount of chipotle pepper depending on how spicy you like it.
    • Make ahead and freezing instructions - Barbacoa beef can be made ahead of time. If not being used within a couple of days, freeze the cooked shredded beef in it's sauce in an airtight container for a future date. To reheat, just thaw in the refrigerator and heat in a pot on on a baking sheet under the broiler.
    Cheesy chipotle beef barbacoa quesadilla

    Related recipes:

    Who doesn't love a good quesadilla? Here are some tasty recipe recommendations:

    • Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas
    • Grilled Summer Vegetable Quesadillas
    • Broccoli Cheddar Quesadillas
    • Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
    • Vegan Gluten Free Pizza Quesadilla
    How to make barbacoa in the instant pot and then make quesadillas.

    I am not lying when I tell you that these amazing barbacoa quesadillas might just be one of the best things that have ever come out of my kitchen!

    If you’ve made this or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out. I love hearing from my readers!

    You can also follow along on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes to satisfy any foodie craving!

    barbacoa beef quesadilla with radish topping

    Barbacoa Quesadillas

    Barbacoa Quesadillas are made quick and easy by pressure cooking the beef roast with an amazing chipotle sauce, then melting cheese in the best tortillas.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
    Scale: 8 servings
    Recipe Created By: Krissy Allori

    Ingredients

    Instant Pot Barbacoa

    • 1 tablespoon avocado oil (or other high heat oil)
    • 2.5 pound beef chuck roast (bone in recommended, size can range from 2-3 pounds)
    • 1 small yellow onion (diced)
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • ¼ cup lime juice (2-3 limes needed)
    • 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 tablespoon dried cumin
    • 1 tablespoon dried oregano (Mexican, if available)
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 2 bay leaves
    • ¼ teaspoon cloves (whole cloves recommended but ground will work)
    • ½ cup beef broth (or substitute with water)
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    Quesadillas

    • 16 Corn Tortillas
    • 16 ounces shredded cheese (any kind of a Mexican blend works (cheddar, pepper jack, etc))
    • 1 tablespoon avocado oil (or oil spray)

    Pickled Radishes

    • 1 bunch radishes (chopped)
    • 1 jalapeno (stem and seeds removed, chopped)
    • 1 small red onion (chopped)
    • Juice from one lime
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • fresh cilantro (minced)

    Instructions

    To make the barbacoa beef:

    • Cut the add chuck roast into chunks that are no larger than 4 inches wide. Heat the Instant Pot on Saute mode with the oil. When the oil is extremely hot, place pieces of the roast in the pot allowing room in between each piece of meat (you may have to brown the meat in batches to avoid over crowding). Allow the meat to sear to a nice brown by cooking for about 5 minutes per side, flipping only once. Transfer browned meat to a separate plate and continue untiil all the meat is browned.
    • With the meat removed but the Instant Pot still set to saute mode, add the onion. Stir a few times while scraping the bottom of the pot to release any meat that stuck to the bottom. Allow onions to brown slightly.
    • Add the remaining barbacoa ingredients to the Instant Pot, along with the browned pieces of roast and any juices that may have accumulated on the plate. Stir to combine. Close lid with pressure valve seated correctly. Set to high pressure for 60 minutes.
    • When the Barbacoa beef is done cooking, allow the pressure to naturally release. Then remove the meat from the pressure cooker and transfer it from a cutting board. Set the Instant Pot back to saute mode and allow the liquid to cook with the lid off so that the sauce reduces and thickens. This may take 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Once the meat is cool enough to handle, shred the meat and discard any fat and bone. Add the shredded beef back to the pot with the sauce, stir, and turn the Instant Pot off.

    To make the pickled radishes:

    • While beef is cooking, prepare the pickled radishes by combining radishes, jalapeno, red onion, lime juice, salt and cilantro in small bowl.

    To make the quesadillas:

    • Heat a griddle over medium high heat. Spray bottom side of a corn tortilla with a very thin layer of oil, and place oil side down on hot griddle. Add a sprinkle of cheese, then a small handful of the shredded Barbacoa, then more cheese, and top with a second tortilla that has been lightly brushed with oil. Cook until tortillas start to turn golden brown and cheese melts and flip once. It may take about about 3-4 minutes each side.
    • Serve Barbacoa Quesadillas with pickled radishes.

    Notes

    • Chose the right cut of meat. I recommend finding a roast that has a fair amount of marbled fat as well as bone. I think a chuck roast is the perfect choice when making chipotle barbacoa because it cooks up so incredibly tender and is easy to shred.
    • Good barbacoa requires excellent seasoning. Although there are a lot of ingredients, each one plays it's roll in creating a very unique flavor. I don't recommend any substitutions, but you can certainly increase or decrease the amount of chipotle pepper depending on how spicy you like it.
    • Make ahead and freezing instructions - Barbacoa beef can be made ahead of time. If not being used within a couple of days, freeze the cooked shredded beef in it's sauce in an airtight container for a future date. To reheat, just thaw in the refrigerator and heat in a pot on on a baking sheet under the broiler.

    NUTRITION INFORMATION

    Calories: 589kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 1053mg | Potassium: 688mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 686IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 368mg | Iron: 4mg
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    This recipe was originally published in September 2019 and has been updated with helpful information, ingredient and process photos, as well as recipe tips. Don't worry - the recipe hasn't changed!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katie Hayes

      December 08, 2017 at 7:07 pm

      I'm excited to try this...my family will go ape over anything with a tortilla!

      Reply
    2. Bonnie

      December 08, 2017 at 12:46 pm

      Now I have to make this! Looks sooo ez and good! As soon as I find Barbacoa Sauce Starter!

      Reply
    3. Bonnie

      December 08, 2017 at 8:54 am

      I have the XL pressure cooker But I have heard the Instant Pot is even better lol I eat way to much of this Recipe lol Big fat xmas hugs to ya!

      Reply
      • Krissy

        December 09, 2017 at 6:35 am

        Right back at ya!

        Reply
    4. Bonnie

      December 08, 2017 at 8:50 am

      So yummy! I eat too many lol Hugs!

      Reply
    5. Brenda Nolen

      December 07, 2017 at 5:38 pm

      I wish I liked to tag people on Instagram. I am thrilled that I found this post, though, because I discovered your amazing site.

      Reply
    6. Giant Sis

      December 06, 2017 at 6:50 pm

      I've never heard of barbacoa until now - but this looks delicious! (IG giantsis)

      Reply
    7. Lupe

      December 06, 2017 at 11:12 am

      can't wait to try...

      Reply
    8. Julie Laird

      December 06, 2017 at 8:23 am

      I absolutely love LaTortilla Factory tortillas! I always have some in my refrigerator.......usually the green chile ones! The chile is such a great addition to tacos and/or enchiladas. I drive to whatever store I have to drive to to buy this product and am very excited to start the hunt for the Barbacoa Sauce Starter!

      Reply
    9. Debra Guest

      December 05, 2017 at 10:12 pm

      I haven't tried la tortilla factory, but i think I'm about to!

      Reply
    10. Morgan

      December 05, 2017 at 9:09 pm

      Yes love La Tortilla Factory! I’ve learned recently that I NEED an IstaPot. This recipe looks amazing.

      Reply
    11. Kymi

      December 05, 2017 at 2:35 pm

      Wowza this barboca quesdillas recipe looks so yumderful I have to try it. We love LaTortilla factory it makes the perfect meal, snack or dessert. Thank you for sharing the recipe.

      Reply
    12. Vicki Ferguson

      December 05, 2017 at 2:30 pm

      I don't have an Instagram account, but I do follow your blog. Would love to win an Instant Pot and prepare this recipe for Barbacoa - stunning!

      Reply
    13. Kendra C.

      December 05, 2017 at 1:56 pm

      I have never tried LaTortilla Factory products, are they available in Nebraska? Winning an Instant Pot would be a dream come true! It’s the only thing on my Christmas wishlist, but with a tight budget this year it doesn’t look likely after we buy our kids gifts and adopt-a family-gifts. Here’s hoping for a Christmas miracle and wishing the best of luck to all entrants!!! ??????

      Reply
      • Krissy

        December 06, 2017 at 1:47 pm

        Hi Kendra, Be sure to check out their store locator on their website to see if their products are available in your area.

        Reply
    14. Linda Mast

      December 05, 2017 at 10:30 am

      Would love to try the LaTortilla products and the Instant Pot. Curious - are the La Tortilla products vegetarian?

      Reply
      • Krissy

        December 06, 2017 at 1:48 pm

        yep!

        Reply
        • Linda

          December 08, 2017 at 7:59 am

          cool, I will use the locator to find them locally!

          Reply
    15. Angela R

      December 04, 2017 at 8:37 pm

      I would LOVE an Instant Pot!!! I've never had barbacoa. Can't wait try this recipe!!

      Reply
    16. Geoff

      December 04, 2017 at 6:17 pm

      I've never bought La Tortilla product before. I'd love to give them a try with the barbacoa recipe!

      Reply
    17. Melissa

      December 04, 2017 at 4:47 pm

      The barbacoa looks delicious! I like the idea of putting the pickled radish salad on it for some crunch and tang!

      Reply
    18. annamarie dodge

      December 04, 2017 at 3:34 pm

      I would dearly love to win/own/use an instant pot...guess i will have to ask santa to bring me one for christmas as I am no longer able to work... #Phillipdodge.

      Reply
    19. Vickie Strickland

      December 04, 2017 at 3:22 pm

      These sound absolutely yummy. Will have to try them!

      Reply
    20. Vickie Strickland

      December 04, 2017 at 3:20 pm

      This sounds absolutely yummy! I'm hoping to try it soon.

      Reply
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