Description
Venison barbacoa is tender, juicy and packed with bold flavor from a perfectly balanced blend of spices, fresh orange and lime juice, and a splash of beer or broth. This easy venison recipe requires minimal prep time and can be made in the oven, on the stove-top, or in the slow cooker.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds venison roast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 ½ cups beef or venison broth
- 12 oz beer (or more broth)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 oranges (juiced (about ½ cup))
- 1 lime (juiced)
- 2 chipotles in adobo (finely chopped)
- ½ tablespoon chili powder
- ½ tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- For serving: diced onion, chopped cilantro, lime wedges and tortillas
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Heat a dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cut the roast into 2-3 inch chunks, then season with salt and pepper. Sear the meat until deeply browned all over. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Add remaining oil and onion to the pot. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the seared venison back to the pot along with the remaining ingredients. Cover and transfer to the oven. Cook for 3 – 3 1/2 hours or until the venison is fork tender, checking periodically to ensure there’s enough liquid – add more broth if needed.
- Remove the venison to a plate and shred with two forks. Add back to the pot to soak up the juices.
- Serve in warmed tortillas with your choice of toppings.
- For stove-top: simmer over low heat for 3 – 3 1/2 hours until fork tender.
- For slow cooker: after step 3, add seared venison and remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours (high for 4-6) until fork tender.
Notes
- Serve in warm tortillas for tacos or over rice for burrito bowls.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 180 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Oven, Stove-top, Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 296
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg