Low Sodium Authentic Barbacoa Tacos

Savor the rich, tender flavors of these Low Sodium Authentic Barbacoa Tacos, a healthier twist on a Mexican classic. Made with melt-in-your-mouth slow-cooked beef cheeks, this recipe is seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices like cumin, oregano, and cloves, all without the need for added salt. The low and slow cooking process infuses the meat with deep, authentic barbacoa flavors, making it perfectly shred-worthy. Served on warm corn tortillas and topped with fresh cilantro, crisp radishes, and a bright squeeze of lime, these tacos deliver a vibrant and satisfying meal. Ideal for those looking to enjoy the essence of traditional barbacoa while maintaining a low-sodium diet, this recipe is both wholesome and utterly delicious—perfect for weeknight dinners or a crowd-pleasing taco night.

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:480 mins

Total Time:510 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef cheeks
• 1 medium white onion
• 6 whole garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 4 pieces whole cloves
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 pieces bay leaves
• 1 whole lime
• 12 pieces corn tortillas
• 0.5 bunch cilantro
• 5 small radishes

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the beef cheeks under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.

Step 2

Peel and quarter the onion. Peel the garlic cloves.

Step 3

Place the beef cheeks in a slow cooker. Add the onion, garlic cloves, apple cider vinegar, cloves, ground cumin, oregano, black pepper, and bay leaves.

Step 4

Mix the ingredients to ensure the beef is well coated with the spices.

Step 5

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the meat is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.

Step 6

Once cooked, remove the bay leaves and discard them.

Step 7

Shred the beef using two forks and mix it with the juices in the slow cooker.

Step 8

Warm the corn tortillas on a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side.

Step 9

Slice the radishes thinly and chop the cilantro coarsely.

Step 10

Serve the shredded barbacoa on the warm tortillas, topped with slices of radish, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(912.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1469.4

Total Fat 19.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 643.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 294.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 46.3g	0%
Total Sugars 14.7g
Protein 40.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 524.1mg	0%
Iron 14.9mg	0%
Potassium 1638.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 11.4%

Protein: 10.6%

Carbs: 78.0%