Barbacoa Spice Mix
Deeply flavored, shredded Mexican meat typically comes together with a bit of pfaff involving an abodo, blender, and a selection of specialty ingredients including dried chilis. This easy barbacoa spice mix is the shortcut version using pantry staples only to instantly create that rich and complex flavor. Double or triple the recipe to have it on-hand in your pantry, cutting the prep time for beef barbacoa down to a few minutes.
Once the seasoning mix is batch prepped, Mexican shredded meat becomes super simple:
- Protein (beef, chicken, pork, or lamb) +
- Barbacoa spice mix + other flavorings +
- Cooking method (stovetop or oven braise, slow-cooker, or Instant Pot)
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Barbacoa Spice Mix
Equipment
- 1 Small Mason Jar 4oz
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 2 tsp oregano or Mexican oregano
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients.1 tbsp cumin, 2 tsp oregano, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1/2 tsp chili flakes
- Stir the spices until they are thoroughly mixed.
- Store the spice mix in an airtight container until you’re ready to use it.
Notes
Nutrition
Ingredients and substitutions
- Paprika – Smoked paprika is key here to create that rich and smoky flavor barbacoa is known for as it is traditionally roasted in a pit underground.
- Cumin – Ground cumin creates a rich base that’s essential in Mexican cuisine.
- Oregano – I opted for regular oregano as I like to stick to widely available ingredients but you can use Mexican oregano if you have it on hand.
- Chili – Chili flakes add controlled heat. Our family likes it mild so 1/4 tsp is at the mild end for sure. You can increase this to you liking and add some cayenne pepper for some extra oomph.
- Garlic – Ground garlic cuts down the flavor prep. You can skip this and add fresh cloves when making the barbacoa recipe. Simply substitute 1 tsp with x fresh cloves.
- Cinnamon – Ground cinnamon adds sweet and rich flavors.
- Cloves –
- Salt and Pepper – I like to add s+p to my spice blends to round them off but you can leave those out if you prefer to control these when making the dish.
Why I batch prep spice blends
Most recipes ask you to measure ten different spices every time you cook. In my simplified kitchen, I do that work once in a while during my weekly prep sessions.
Instead of measuring cumin, oregano, chili, garlic powder, and smoked paprika every time I make Mexican shredded meat, I simply batch prep this versatile barbacoa seasoning.
That means fewer ingredients on the counter when cooking which is another way to simplify and speed up dinner time without compromizing on the ingredients used.
I keep a curated stash of these blends and use them across different proteins and meals. You can explore all my handy spice mixes here.
6 delicious ways to use barbacoa seasoning
This spice mix works well anywhere you want warm, smoky depth to your dishes.
- Shredded eat: My go-to spice for for beef barbacoa but it also works beautifully to make Mexican shredded chicken, pork, or lamb.
- Burgers or meatballs: Mix the seasoning directly into ground beef, pork, chicken, or lamb before forming patties or meatballs. A barbacoa meat loaf is another easy dinner idea!
- Roast veggies: Toss pumpkin, potatoes, sweet potato, or cauliflower with olive oil and the seasoning. Roast until caramelized.
- Beans: Stir 1–2 teaspoons into simmering black beans or pinto beans with onion and garlic.
- Grains: Add a teaspoon to rice, quinoa, or barley while cooking for subtle smoky flavor.
- Sauces: Stir barbacoa seasoning into yogurt, sour cream, mayo, olive oil, or tomato sauce to create quick smoky sauces or marinades for tacos, bowls, roasted vegetables, or grilled meats.
