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Barbacoa Lamb Carnitas 81.png

Barbacoa Lamb Carnitas

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5 from 1 review

🍖 Lamb Barbacoa offers tender, slow-cooked meat infused with authentic spices that bring rich, smoky flavors.
🌮 Perfect for tacos, this recipe combines ease of preparation with deep, satisfying taste ideal for gatherings or family meals.

  • Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients

– 2.2 kg (4.8 lbs) bone-in shoulder of Welsh lamb

– 4 tbsp vegetable oil

– 1 tbsp adobo paste

– 1 tbsp chipotle paste

– 4 cloves garlic minced

– 1 tbsp cumin

– 1 tsp ground coriander

– 1 tbsp dried oregano

– 480 ml (2 cups) chicken or lamb stock

– 1 tsp salt

– 1 tsp ground black pepper

– ¼ tsp ground cloves

– Juice of 2 limes (about 4 tbsp fresh lime juice)

– 10-12 soft tacos for serving

– 1 red onion sliced for serving

– 4 tbsp chopped fresh coriander for serving

– 2 jalapenos sliced for serving

– 10 cherry tomatoes quartered for serving

– 4 tbsp salsa for serving

– 120 ml (1/2 cup) sour cream for serving

– 200 g (1 cup) guacamole for serving

– Lime wedges from 2 limes for serving

Instructions

1- Let’s dive into making Barbacoa Lamb Carnitas, starting with simple steps that lead to amazing results. Begin by heating 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat and sear the 2.2 kg (4.8 lbs) bone-in shoulder of Welsh lamb on all sides until it’s nicely browned. This step locks in the flavors and gives the meat a great texture.

2- Next, add the 1 tbsp adobo paste, 1 tbsp chipotle paste, 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 480 ml (2 cups) chicken or lamb stock, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp ground black pepper, ¼ tsp ground cloves, and juice of 2 limes to the pan. Bring this mixture to a boil, then transfer everything to a slow cooker for even cooking. Here, you’ll conclude by setting it to cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 6 hours until the lamb is tender.

3- Once done, take out the lamb and shred the meat using two forks, making sure to discard the bones. Heat the remaining 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a frying pan on high heat, then fry the shredded lamb for 3-4 minutes until it’s crisp and golden. For serving, divide the meat among 10-12 warmed soft tacos, drizzle with sauce from the slow cooker, and top with 1 sliced red onion, 4 tbsp chopped fresh coriander, 2 sliced jalapenos, 10 quartered cherry tomatoes, 4 tbsp salsa, 120 ml (1/2 cup) sour cream, and 200 g (1 cup) guacamole. Finish with lime wedges from 2 limes on the side.

Last Step:

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Notes

⏲️ Slow cook for the richest flavor and most tender meat; alternatively, cook in oven at 160°C for 3 hours adding stock as needed.
❄️ Make ahead by shredding and refrigerating or freezing with cooking liquid; reheat by frying lamb and warming sauce separately.
⚖️ Scale recipe by halving lamb and ingredients for smaller servings.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 6-9 hours
  • Cook Time: 6-9 hours
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking, Frying
  • Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
  • Diet: Gluten-Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 385
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 1069mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: Not specified
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 23g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 29g
  • Cholesterol: 87mg