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Barbacoa Lamb Carnitas

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🍖 Lamb Barbacoa Recipe features slow-cooked shoulder lamb infused with rich spices and smoky chipotle for deep, satisfying flavors.
🌮 This recipe is perfect for flavorful, tender taco fillings that make entertaining effortless and delicious.

  • Total Time: 6 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 10-12 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

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

1 tablespoon adobo paste

1 tablespoon chipotle paste

4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

1 tablespoon cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 tablespoon dried oregano

480 ml (2 cups) chicken or lamb stock

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Juice of 2 limes (about 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice)

1012 soft tacos, warmed (for serving)

1 red onion, peeled and sliced (for serving)

4 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander (for serving)

2 jalapenos, sliced (for serving)

10 cherry tomatoes, quartered (for serving)

4 tablespoons salsa (for serving)

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

200 g (1 cup) guacamole (store-bought or homemade) (for serving)

2 limes, sliced into wedges (for serving)

Instructions

1-Getting started with Barbacoa Lamb Carnitas: Begin by heating 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, then sear the 2.2 kg bone-in shoulder of Welsh lamb on all sides until it’s nicely browned. This step locks in the flavors and sets the base for the dish.

2-Next: add the adobo paste, chipotle paste, minced garlic, cumin, ground coriander, dried oregano, chicken or lamb stock, salt, ground black pepper, ground cloves, and lime juice to the pan. Bring everything to a boil, stirring to mix the spices well with the lamb. Once boiling, transfer the whole mixture to a slow cooker and cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 6 hours until the meat is fall-apart tender for a quick family meal.

3-After cooking, take the lamb out of the slow cooker and use two forks to shred the meat, tossing out the bones as you go. In another pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and fry the shredded lamb for 3-4 minutes until it’s crisp and golden, adding that irresistible texture. Finally, assemble your tacos by dividing the meat among 10-12 warmed soft tacos, drizzle with some of the cooking sauce, and top with sliced red onion, chopped fresh coriander, sliced jalapenos, quartered cherry tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole, then serve with lime wedges for a fresh finish.

4-To keep things flowing, let’s break down the assembly process. Start by warming your tacos in the oven or microwave for that soft, inviting feel. Then, layer on the toppings one by one to build flavor and color, turning your plate into a vibrant meal that everyone will enjoy.

Notes

🔥 For oven cooking, use a heavy-based oven-proof pan with a lid at 160°C for 3 hours, adding extra stock to keep it moist.
🧊 Prepare ahead by shredding meat and refrigerating lamb and cooking liquid separately for up to two days.
♨ Reheat by frying shredded lamb in oil until hot and golden and heating cooking liquid separately.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 6 to 9 hours
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking and Pan Frying
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 taco
  • Calories: 385
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 1069mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Carbohydrates: 23g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 29g
  • Cholesterol: 87mg