Instant Pot® Brisket Barbacoa with Poblano Peppers and Onions

Mexican-inspired barbacoa using beef brisket in the Instant Pot® is so tender and delicious. Use the meat for tacos or a burrito bowl and top with sautéed poblano pepper and onion along with your favorite toppings to complete the meal. This recipe is a great for make ahead/meal prep too. Serving options: corn tortillas, warmed; or your favorite Mexican rice, or cilantro-lime rice. Garnish with chopped cilantro, limes, salsa, sliced and diced avocado, and queso fresco.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 25 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins
• Calories: 187 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 8 cloves garlic
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• ¼ cup lime juice
• 3 leaf (blank)s bay leaves
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 large white onion, thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
• 3 tablespoons avocado oil, divided
• 2 tablespoons adobo sauce from chipotle peppers
• 2 large poblano peppers
• 1 (3 pound) beef brisket, trimmed and cut in half
• ½ medium red onion, quartered
• 3 peppers chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1 ¾ cups low-sodium beef broth, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Season both sides of the brisket with salt and pepper.

Step 2

Combine red onion, chipotle peppers, cilantro, orange juice, lime juice, adobo sauce, garlic, cumin, oregano, and cinnamon in a blender. Blend until chipotle sauce is smooth.

Step 3

Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. When display shows Hot, add 2 tablespoons avocado oil. Using tongs, place a brisket half into the pot and sear, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer meat to a plate and set aside. Repeat with remaining brisket half.

Step 4

Add 1/4 cup beef broth to Instant Pot® and deglaze using a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits. Select Cancel to turn it off. Return brisket pieces to the pot. Pour chipotle sauce mixture over the brisket. Pour remaining beef broth on top and add bay leaves. Place lid on the Instant Pot® and set valve to Sealing. Select Meat/Stew setting on and set timer for 1 hour.

Step 5

Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, 20 to 30 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.

Step 6

Remove meat to a platter and shred the meat with 2 forks. Remove bay leaves from Instant Pot®. Remove 2 cups of liquid from the pot and set aside; discard remaining liquid. Add reserved liquid to the pot and return shredded meat. Leave on Warm setting until ready to serve.

Step 7

Meanwhile, heat remaining avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add poblano peppers and white onion and saute until tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Serve meat with poblano peppers and onion on top.