Barbacoa Hidalgo

Hidalgo-Style Slow-Cooked Lamb Barbacoa

This recipe is more than just slow-cooked lamb—it’s a centuries-old tradition from the heart of Mexico. In Hidalgo, families have been cooking lamb underground in earth ovens since pre-Hispanic times, using maguey leaves to lock in flavour & tenderness. It’s a dish that brings people together—shared at weddings, fiestas & weekend gatherings. The smoky aroma, the tender meat, the salsa on top… every bite tells a story of heritage, community & pure Mexican soul.

SPICINESS

SERVES

4

COOKING TIME

6 hours

Ingredients

  • 2 kg free-range lamb shoulder w/bones
  • 100 ml white vinegar
  • 150 g rice
  • 250 g chickpeas
  • 4 morita chillies
  • 2 carrots
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 onion
  • Banana leaves
  • Rock Salt
  • 1/2 bunch coriander
  • 2 limes
  • Salsa verde with arbol chilli

Cooking Instructions

  1.  Chuck the meat in a pot with water & 100ml of vinegar, let it rest for one hour with the lid on. (This helps tone down the lamb’s strong flavour.)
  2. Once that’s done, give the meat a good rinse & then season it with just rock salt.
  3. In the steamer, add some water with the rice, chickpeas, morita chillies, sliced carrots, garlic & half an onion. This will help cook the meat & create a beaut stock.
  4. Since it’s tricky to find maguey at home, we’ll use banana leaves instead. Roast them directly over the flame, then place them in the steamer to make a bed for the meat.
  5. Place the meat on top, cover it with the banana leaves, then wrap everything up with aluminium foil & put the lid on.
  6. Cook over high heat until it starts to boil., then drop it down to a very low simmer. Let it cook for 6 hours.
  7. After 6 hours, check if the meat’s nice & tender. Remove the bones & shred the meat.
  8. Dice th other half onion & chop fresh coriander.
  9. In a very hot dry frying pan, heat your tortillas until soft, hot & floppy. Wrap in a tea towel until ready to serve.
  10. Place some Barbacoa on each tortilla, add the chopped onion & coriander along with some salsa verde with arbol chillies.

¡Buen provecho!

 

 

 

 

 

We are makers of award-winning traditional corn tortillas and tortilla chips, sold Australia-wide

Where to Buy

Want more Mexican? Get recipes, tips and news straight to your inbox!

You may also like:

The Nixtamal Process

Learn about Nixtamal, the ancient process we use to make healthy and stronger tortillas.
Read more