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 menu includes tacos, tortas, carnitas, barbacoa, chicharrón, quesadillas, burritos, tamales, pupusas, menudo and guiso del dia, or stew of the day — all made with fresh ingredients and meats.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
People heaped their plates with barbacoa, Mexican rice, refried beans, and flour tortillas.
—Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Pudgy, tender sopes are piled with mounds of lamb barbacoa.
—Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
In Mexico, barbacoa is traditionally prepared in an underground fire pit and seasoned with cumin, cinnamon, oregano, garlic, cloves, salt, pepper and various Mexican chilies such as guajillo and ancho.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
Customers can choose from protein options including chicken, steak, beef barbacoa and carnitas, as well as rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream and fresh tomato salsa.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated July 18, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2025
Expect a fun take on bar food ranging from burgers and chicken tenders to barbacoa bowls and kimchi fried rice to accompany the summery cocktail list ranging from $16-45 and select beers starting at $7.
—Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 17 July 2025
Try the sweet potato flautas and the mushroom barbacoa, and don’t skimp on sides.
—Lela London, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The term comes from barbacoa, used by the Taino people for slow-cooking meat over fire.
—Cheryl Russell, Oc Register, 22 June 2025
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Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
People heaped their plates with barbacoa, Mexican rice, refried beans, and flour tortillas.
—Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Pudgy, tender sopes are piled with mounds of lamb barbacoa.
—Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
In Mexico, barbacoa is traditionally prepared in an underground fire pit and seasoned with cumin, cinnamon, oregano, garlic, cloves, salt, pepper and various Mexican chilies such as guajillo and ancho.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
Customers can choose from protein options including chicken, steak, beef barbacoa and carnitas, as well as rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream and fresh tomato salsa.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated July 18, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2025
Expect a fun take on bar food ranging from burgers and chicken tenders to barbacoa bowls and kimchi fried rice to accompany the summery cocktail list ranging from $16-45 and select beers starting at $7.
—Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 17 July 2025
Try the sweet potato flautas and the mushroom barbacoa, and don’t skimp on sides.
—Lela London, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The term comes from barbacoa, used by the Taino people for slow-cooking meat over fire.
—Cheryl Russell, Oc Register, 22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barbacoa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbacoa. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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