barbacoa
noun
bar·ba·coa
ˌbär-bə-ˈkō-ə 
plural barbacoas
: a flavorful Mexican dish of shredded meat (such as beef, lamb, or goat) made by slow-cooking the meat in a marinade
Barbacoa as we know it today evolved in Mexico, where the most classic barbacoa is made in a natural oven dug into the ground, lined with heated rocks that cook meat enclosed in agave leaves, which keep the meat moist as it cooks.—
Andee Gosnell
Andee Gosnell… lunch on … barbacoa tacos of unctuous shredded beef packed into soft corn tortillas.—Jane and Michael Stern
Jane and Michael Stern
also
: a food item made with barbacoa
For a greasier fix, try the barbacoas: beef tacos in a fried shell. —Erika Stark
Erika Stark Examples of barbacoa in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The term comes from barbacoa, used by the Taino people for slow-cooking meat over fire.
—Cheryl Russell, Oc Register, 22 June 2025
Massage the chops with the barbacoa rub up to two days in advance.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 June 2025
Lamb lovers of the world will have to unite in order to eat the entirety of the massive and wonderful lamb-neck barbacoa at Isabel Coss and Matt Conroy’s Pascual.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 10 June 2025
Others are drawn to the color’s comforting associations—like a handful of barbacoa in a supple tortilla, a steamy plate of dal, a square of chocolate—because our mind tells us these foods are safely cooked and invite savoring.
—Bedatri D. Choudhury, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
Most taquerias serve barbacoa only on weekends, a testament to the time and attention the dish requires.
—Edmund Tijerina, Bon Appétit, 27 Feb. 2025
Try a sampler plate with a choice of stews, including cochinita, chamorro (red wine braised beef) and barbacoa.
—Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Barrio nacho helmet with the choice of chicken tinga or barbacoa beef with queso bravo, pico de gallo, pickled red onion, jalapenos, black beans and avocado crema in a souvenir helmet.
—Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2024
Avila’s fans likely are already familiar with the barbacoa, which the chef previously operated behind RISE Westwood, a local food collective.
—Sara Rosenthal, The Denver Post, 24 Mar. 2025
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Cheryl Russell, Oc Register, 22 June 2025
Massage the chops with the barbacoa rub up to two days in advance.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 June 2025
Lamb lovers of the world will have to unite in order to eat the entirety of the massive and wonderful lamb-neck barbacoa at Isabel Coss and Matt Conroy’s Pascual.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 10 June 2025
Others are drawn to the color’s comforting associations—like a handful of barbacoa in a supple tortilla, a steamy plate of dal, a square of chocolate—because our mind tells us these foods are safely cooked and invite savoring.
—Bedatri D. Choudhury, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
Most taquerias serve barbacoa only on weekends, a testament to the time and attention the dish requires.
—Edmund Tijerina, Bon Appétit, 27 Feb. 2025
Try a sampler plate with a choice of stews, including cochinita, chamorro (red wine braised beef) and barbacoa.
—Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Barrio nacho helmet with the choice of chicken tinga or barbacoa beef with queso bravo, pico de gallo, pickled red onion, jalapenos, black beans and avocado crema in a souvenir helmet.
—Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2024
Avila’s fans likely are already familiar with the barbacoa, which the chef previously operated behind RISE Westwood, a local food collective.
—Sara Rosenthal, The Denver Post, 24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barbacoa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbacoa. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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