What Is Barbacoa Consomé?
Barbacoa consomé (sometimes spelled ‘consome’ or ‘consommé’) is the flavorful broth that forms when slow-cooking barbacoa meat rich, spicy, and deeply savory
Barbacoa consomé is the rich, deeply flavorful broth that forms at the bottom of the pot or pitduring the long, slow cooking of barbacoa meat. In traditional Mexican cuisine, it’s more than just a byproduct; it’s a treasured soup, a dipping sauce for tacos, and often the first thing served at a taquiza (taco feast). Imagine the essence of every spice, every drop of rendered fat, every bit of roasted meat all in one soul-warming cup.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 cups of barbacoa drippings (from beef, lamb, or goat)
- 1 cup beef or chicken stock (low sodium)
- 3 dried guajillo chilies, stemmed and deseeded
- 1 dried chipotle pepper (optional for smokiness)
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled
- ½ white onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp cumin
- Juice of ½ lime
- Salt to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Skim & Reserve the Drippings
Once your barbacoa has finished cooking, carefully strain and skim off any excess fat. Reserve about 2 cups of the golden drippings.
2. Rehydrate the Chiles
Boil 2 cups of water. Place guajillo and chipotle peppers in a bowl and cover with hot water for 10 minutes until softened.
3. Blend the Base
Add rehydrated chiles, garlic, onion, vinegar, cumin, oregano, and ½ cup of soaking water to a blender. Blend until smooth.
4. Simmer the Consomé
In a saucepan over medium heat, add the blended mixture and cook for 5 minutes. Pour in the barbacoa drippings and beef stock. Simmer for 15–20 minutes until rich and slightly thickened.
5. Finish with Freshness
Add lime juice and adjust salt. Taste it should be savory, tangy, and slightly smoky.
Optional Add-ins for Extra Depth
- Roasted tomato puree for umami
- A splash of dark beer for richness
- Simmered maguey leaf (if you’re lucky to have one!)
How to Serve Consomé
- As a sipping soup before tacos
- As a dipping sauce for barbacoa tacos or quesadillas
- Poured over rice or into a bowl with shredded meat for a mini stew
for more information click:
USDA FoodData Central – Beef Broth
Storage Tips
- Fridge: Store in a sealed jar for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in ice cube trays and store in freezer bags perfect for quick flavor boosts!
💡 Pro Tip:
Use consomé as a base for your next chili, stew, or birria!
Ingredients
FAQs
Can I make barbacoa consomé without drippings?
Yes, use rich bone broth, spices, and a beef base, but nothing compares to the real thing.
What spices go best in barbacoa broth?
Cumin, oregano, garlic, guajillo, chipotle, and sometimes bay leaf.
Is consommé supposed to be clear?
Not in this case! Barbacoa consomé is cloudy, rustic, and unapologetically rich.
