BARBACOA “ESPECIAL” HOMEMADE RECIPE - Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks + Lengua

This is BARBACOA "ESPECIAL" the South Texas way. Cachete (Beef Cheeks) + Lengua (Cow Tongue) = an EPIC taco you have to try.
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In South Texas barbacoa is a year round tradition and a must have weekend breakfast along side some corn tortillas, salsa, menudo, pan dulce and don't forget the cafecito.
Heeeeere in the 956 you can buy it by the pound in every city and at every meat market and tortilleria, even HEB sells it by the ton! "Real" barbacoa is made with cachete, and/or lengua and when mixed together its called, “barbacoa especial.”
The beef cheek is fatty, the tongue is lean and the two together make the perfect blend, and that's why it’s special.
You can buy it just about anywhere in South Texas but once in a while we love to make it here at home and we’re gonna show exactly how to cook it perfectly every single time.
The two most popular ways to make it at home are in the crock pot or in the oven - today it’s 8 lbs so we’re using the oven!
The most important pro tip is that you need to cook it low and slow since these are tough cuts of meat, this way the fat fully renders and you get some delicious super tender and juicy barbacoa at the end. The flavors of the meat are so good you only need a couple of simple ingredients.
In this recipe we’re gonna use:
- 8 lbs of cachete, thats beef cheek in english
- One whole lengua, thats tongue meat
- One garlic clove
- One bay leaf
- A light shake of APC OG (salt pepper garlic in the perfect ratio)
- And of course some super good homemade salsa
Salsa Recipe - use the green salsa from this video below:
• TWO SALSAS You Always ...
- Then add one boiled roma tomato, 1 tsp of olive oil, and blend to emulsify.
Were gonna slow cook it in the oven for 6-7 hours. Now let’s get fired up and start cooking barbacoa!

[@76olmeda]

Some of my fondest memories are of my grandpa and uncles cooking barbacoa in holes . They would sing and party all night and in the morning my grandma ,mom and aunts would be making tortillas, eggs , salsa, potatoes while grandpa brought in the barbacoa . Familia and great food is what its all about .❤

[@frankmckinnis]

growing up in South Texas, we often bought the whole cow's head (before mad cow disease all but made that impossible) placed the head in a cooking bag with a bit of lawry's and cooked it for about eight hours at about 220 or so in the evening. placed the bag in a roster pan around ten at night and at six in the morning it was ready to go. nothing better.

[@togwy]

Frank, the Best barbacoa (no BBQ) tacos, are Made with the cow head meat. ITS great to know other families enjoy It the same way we all do

[@maryalison1321]

Hi Frank how are you doing. it's nice coming across your amazing comment

[@texasforever5776]

You can still buy the head....it's usually cooked underground, tho. True barbacoa is goat tho.

[@edwinlugo90]

Same way my family in Tampico Mexico make it. Cows head is the way to go.

[@noelmedina4915]

I was 13 when my dad homie came for lunch with a whole cow head and eyeballs staring. I was a little freaked at first but best barbaqua I had.

[@MedievalLit]

ArnieTex, you did it again… a staple weekend dish from the 956. I remember my grandfather waking me up super early on Sunday mornings and going to Santillan’s toetilleria in San Juan to get cachete, lengua (my favorite), ojos, y cesos. It was a tradition we had since I was around 4-5 yrs old until my very late teens when he started getting Alzheimer’s. It’s something I will always treasure. Thanks again for posting some great food I grew up with and continue to enjoy with my family on the weekends. Your friend from McAllen.

[@MedievalLit]

I just realized you said you had a restaurant in San Juan! While I was born (and now live) in McAllen, I grew up in San Juan until the late 90’s

[@jose.luis.ayala.]

STUCK IN K.C. Grew up in BROWNSVILLE. RGV 4 LIFE 🇲🇽🇺🇸

[@ALVERGAZ0]

I'm From Brownsville Texas and I like the fact that he explains how cheek and tounge is the traditional way to make barbacoa. There are alot of videos out there teaching ppl to make barbacoa with roast beef , but no sir CHEEK AND TOUNG is the TRADITIONAL WAY . New Subcriber

[@banksta3]

Dry a$$ roasts lol

[@fuscian]

am i mistaken i thought barbacoa in mexico was using lamb and not beef ?

[@joealvarado5399]

@@fuscian that’s birria

[@MedievalLit]

@@fuscian, depending which area of the country you go to, barbacoa in Mexico is made using beef, lamb, or goat.

[@killerhair5833]

I can't wait to make this. I grew up in the RGV and every Sunday morning my mom would wake up early to get barbacoa, fresh tortillas, pan dulce, and a 3 liter coke for my brother and I. Great memories from my childhood. Thank you for sharing this recipe.

[@ctucker258]

Raymondville! 🙋‍♂ Same sunday routine we had. Plus medudo!

[@sushicat4152]

I am half Mexican and this has always been the pinnacle of self-validation for me to be able to cook barbacoa. I have tried other recipes and it has never came out right. I used your recipe for one of our latina nurse interns celebratory party who will becoming a brand spanking new labor and delivery nurse and EVERYONE loved it and said it tasted very legit!! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us it means the world to me

[@8bitbunbun]

This is almost exactly how my abuelita makes hers! Sometimes, she puts a layer of banana leaves over the meat before the foil. Sooo so good! And she uses Modelo instead of beef broth. Yum!

[@AlismonitesPatrides]

Arnie, I made it! My first Barbacoa. I used chuck roast and cachete. First oven roasting and then pressure cooker until super tender (took me 3 hours overall). Extremely yummy. Seasoned with salt-paper-garlicpowder and a ground bay leaf. It’s perfect, just like I’ve been having it in taco restaurants. Served on corn tortillas, with cilantro, lime, and your salsa verde (which I made following your salsa roja/verde video). Thanks a lot!!

[@ArnieTex]

Great job!

[@enriqueolivares1420]

@@ArnieTex Any instructions on how to do it in a slow cooker?

[@killert9098]

I see so many videos of people making “barbacoa” but with regular ass beef meat. Idk how it is in other places but in Texas I’ve always had it where it’s cheek meat. So much better than the knock off barbacoa other people are trying to make. This looks so good!

[@banksta3]

Cheeks have become more pricey over the years, so even taqueria's are using roasts and just adding more broth or fat to the finished product so that it's not as dry. Definitely not the same, but it helps.

[@jn5390]

Hi love all your Mexican cooking recipes as I grew up in Mexico now living in Ontario with my mouth watering when watching your videos Keep going Arnie !!

[@L33W41K41]

Thank you so much Arnie! I used your recipe and I'm totally addicted! Addicted to the flavor, the time it takes and how EASY it is! We paired it with Native American fried bread since we are part Natives in this household. It is SO GOOD! Thank you ❤

[@txrick4879]

Barbacoa back in the days was the whole head made in a large hole in the ground with stones covered with fire . 55 gal drum cut in half with holes in the side to lift with hooks and put over stones . The pit was covered with tin and in the early morning pulled out . The man that did it would sell out in 2 or 3 hours starting at 6 in the morning . I miss that but a slow cooker worked well . Thanks for tips .

[@francescamacho4863]

Aww this Barbacoa looks so delicious. Thank you 🙏 for sharing your recipes.

[@cornpop3159]

Beef tongue is rich people food these days. I make my "barbacoa" with cheek meat and chuck roast or top round

[@michaelspunich7273]

Yup, before Biden I would pay $20 for a tongue. Now it cost $50!

[@porcky92]

It's not before Biden, it's after Trump

[@gamechanger8398]

That's the right way to do it thoe

[@Exile976]

What ratio of cheek and chuck do you use?

[@chrismedina9571]

@@michaelspunich7273oh Jesus Christ, you think inflation was caused by that old fuck? Do you realize this is going on around the world?! Does you’re entire identity revolve around making anything you can a political comment?! Let’s enjoy arnies videos without bringing in trump or biden into the mix for gods sake

[@athenajorg738]

I'm so happy you posted this video. I have cheek and tounge I've been saving for the perfect recipe. :) I'm doing it this weekend. Thanks Arnie

[@GQFunkyMoney]

Thanks for this recipe! Just made a batch with cachete only - got an amazing result.

[@frankthetank1369]

I bought 2 packs of beef cheeks yesterday from Walmart on Causeway Blvd in Brandon Florida Tampa. Im making it again. Yummy. First time i tried it in San Antonio Texas i got hooked about 25 years ago.

[@steeltalon105]

I'm in love with barbacoa ❤ It's truly heavenly tasting!!!

[@gennym2372]

Oh my goodness!!! My husband and I made this yesterday for company. It was AMAZING!! Arnie...you are the best!! We grew up in San Antonio and this was better than I could have imagined!! Thank you!!!!😊😊

[@user-te9we7rn3d]

This is by far the most delightful video on this subject that I've come across, & I thank you, sir. ❤

[@AlismonitesPatrides]

Your video is wholesome and very nice. Love the friendly and cheerful South Texas vibes!

[@ArnieTex]

Thanks so much!

[@herward1047]

I love barbacoa, I grew up in San Antonio but cannot get it where I live now here in Leander. This looks so simple I have to try it. Thank you for the recipe.

[@TheWheelsOnTheRideGo]

Wahhh. Your rite outside of Austin there's gotta be some good barbacoa.

[@herward1047]

@@TheWheelsOnTheRideGo Places have barbacoa but it's not the kind he has prepared or the kind I used to get in SA. I am not sure exactly what it is...but it is reddish in color almost like barbecue pork...it tastes okay but it is not the traditional barbacoa. So if you are ever in the area just know if the menu says barbacoa it might not be what you are wanting.

[@DavidBooker-mj5yh]

I made this recipe and it was absolutely fantastic! Thanks, Arnie!

[@maryalison1321]

Hi David how are you doing

[@01comegetsome]

Going to make some on New years Eve. Glad you made a video because this will be my first time making it.

[@tellrich29]

Right on Arnie. Great video but even better barbacoa recipe. HEB here I come.

[@beerman9807]

I love H‑E‑B , good quality meat

[@grahamgeeting6522]

I bought a 1/4 cow and got the whole tongue. Very excited to try this recipe out on Friday! Looks great!

[@ArnieTex]

Hope you enjoy

[@maryalison1321]

Hi Graham how are you doing

[@pinkfluffydino8217]

Delicious! Made this and quite a few of your other recipes for a Mexican feast today and it all came out amazing! I made refried beans, barbacoa especial, roja salsa, verde salsa, your momma’s Spanish rice, and guacamole! Your recipes aren’t much different than my own but I’m always down to try something new and I’d never made barbacoa before which is how I found you in the first place. Everything was amazing! 🧡

[@hclvchef]

To @Arnietex , I made this yesterday for a fundraiser at my mom's church. People were blown away by this. It came out awesome, perfect and delicious. Thx brother

[@adaybaben1842]

I'm definitely making this. Looks delicious! ❤

[@trinidadrodriguez874]

Arnie, just found your videos and they are great going to be making some you and your mom are the best. Thanks for sharing.

[@isabelcantu4474]

Love this! I’m going to make Barbacoa for my grandmother who is a born and bread Texican for her 90th birthday … will Definitely be inspired by this recipe … gracias from ATX ❤

[@vicrjr1072]

Great video Arnie! Keep em coming!

[@henryklassen3362]

Looks delicious Arnie, merry Christmas to your family.

[@themiscriant]

Im from Houston, TX and you remind me so much of my uncles. I randomly got the itch to make barbacoa but didn't remember how they used to make it. Your video was super helpful! Subscribed!

[@ArnieTex]

Hope you enjoy

[@notsure1872]

Fellow Houstonian. We have some great taquerias here in Pasadena. Delicious food

[@mauro5481]

LOOKING GOOD 👍

[@frankthetank1369]

Just remember low an slow. Low temperature about 250 minimum for about 4 hours oven or stove top.

[@maryalison1321]

@@frankthetank1369 Hi Frank how are you doing

[@scottberenyi2985]

Best thing about a lot of these dishes is they are awesome for breakfast as well.

[@danielrobinson7872]

Barbacoa is my absolute favorite way to have meat. Really hard to find it here in Missouri. Definitely one of the biggest things I miss about living in Texas. Really easy to get down there.

[@maryalison1321]

Hi Daniel how are you doing

[@chassitymichelleduke1115]

Thank you for being so easy to follow! I was able to make this, for the first time, and my boyfriend said it reminded him of his childhood in Monterrey. This recipe is amazing! Love your content!

[@tycaruso5612]

Awesome seeing someone from the valley doing so well!! Keep it up man and keep showing the world where the love is in the 956!

[@landinwatkins5348]

The entire video my mouth was watering, it looks so goooooood

[@mab021503]

I made this yesterday and ooooommmmgggeeeeee delicious!!!!everyone loves it 😊😊😊

[@Mr.DJones]

Thank you for your time and posting. Great stuff and a well-made video.

[@ArnieTex]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@andkucz1352]

Hey Arnie. Love the videos. My wife is from Weslaco and we live in Buffalo. I’ve been making dish after dish, own your seasonings and love it. We make homemade flour tortillas but corn tastes bad outside of restaurants. May you please make a video on how to make corn tortillas taste better for tacos? Mine taste dry and bland. They frankly try to sabotage my meats. Please and thank you! Also you really have a great way of making videos. Subtle things you say in a positive light really keep this channel top tier.

[@juanresendiz56jr]

Thanks brother Arnie for the video!! As always your the best!! 💙

[@marshfacekillahbee]

Always love the videos!! Keep it going my man!!

[@ramoncortez8623]

Wow, that barbacoa looks amazing!

[@earthcream]

AWESOME JOB ARNIE!!!

[@vickihandel3620]

Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe! I’m from SETX around Houston. You’re educating us well! I adore this dish

[@ArnieTex]

You are so welcome!

[@rjflo409]

SETX 409 🤟🏼

[@luisgarza4210]

Hey Arnie, I love your recipes, I was born and raised in San Juan, Tx about 3 blocks from the Basilica. Barbacoa, especially the one that was buried and cooked, I used to help my Aunt in Brownsville in removing the meat from the whole cows heads. To me, that was the best Barbacoa. Enjoy your recipes, especially the carne Guisada.

[@christophejergales7852]

Wow, we are really gettin' somewhere! This is something I would love to make. Thanks so much for the vid!

[@pinkfluffydino8217]

Making this again this weekend. Had to come double check my memory for cooking times and temps. Thanks again!

[@JDDOWDY]

Oh yeah let's eat. Thanks for sharing your video. God bless from west Texas.

[@TheCannaBBQ]

Made me want to dance!!! 😂 you inspired me to defrost my cheeks and make barbacoa 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@maryalison1321]

Hi WoodFire how are you doing

[@La19930]

Spot on my Bro!!! Se ve bien rica!!! Ya se me antojo!!!

[@czerniana]

Well, my boyfriend thanks you for posting this! He’s a Texan stuck in Ohio, and misses home. I’ll have to make this soon!

[@MsRosa-nz8bi]

I miss barbacoa since I moved to Tahlequah Oklahoma. Moved here from corpus Christi where we had Barbados every weekend! Thank you Arnie for sharing. God bless you and yours.

[@PartidoElPotosino]

Torterilla puebla en tulsa has some great barbacoa

[@frankthetank1369]

I made Barbacoa yesterday with beef cheeks & cow tongue. Yummy.

[@cjcedillo70]

Good morning Arnie.thank for the tips👍🏽looks good,,it’s looking 👀 WOW!!

[@chuckrogers2480]

Awesome definitely making this soon!!!!!!!

[@ShaneTheViking]

Was in shipyard in Brownsville for a few months, when the locals showed up and brought lunch, we all started paying them to bring some for us too, until someone asked what was in these burritos. Out of 150 guys, me and 2 or 3 people kept asking for more. If it tastes good and doesn't kill me, I'll eat just about anything, and those tacos were good.

[@OLHEAD1974]

I haft to say ! I really enjoy your videos it reminds me of home back in Tejas! Mucho gracias amigo!!

[@ArnieTex]

Glad you like them!

[@eljefe09]

Looks awesome Arnie, I like to add some lemon pepper seasoning when I make mine.

[@glennbiggs5585]

Man Arnie, this one is awesome. Love your channel. Keep up the good work.

[@ArnieTex]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@pepsiguy467]

This was amazing!! I have made several items from your channel and I have never had anything but compliments . Where did you learn to make this? I always refer them to your channel.

[@johnstewart7559]

Watching this from Kingsville Tx. Gonna make some for memorial day. Great video.

[@santiagotrevino9469]

My dad would make it on Sunday morning. . can't wait 🤠

[@fredsbbq1975]

Daleshine! Thank you for the video and for inspiring me! 🙏

[@elvialucero6174]

Looks delicious ❤

[@SugarWire.]

I would dance too! 🤤 Thank you for teaching us!

[@benitogarcia5751]

Love your channel

[@thomasjonse8537]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing 👍🏽

[@rorozco70]

Awesome recipe 🎉!

[@leebooz3677]

Looks delicious

[@cobio51]

Great video...I learned how to make barbacoa from my late father may G-D have my father in peace and in His Glory. This video hits home with a smile. Thank you again Sir for sharing your techniques and family with us. G-D bless. One more thing I made barbacoa in Israel for my family and with homemade corn tortillas and they went crazy👍🇺🇲👍

[@kevincain2697]

I'm in Toledo Ohio and I would love to get my hands on plate of that .that looks so good and it's making my mouth water. 👍🎉🤤🤤🤤🤗🥲

[@arc_angel_3162]

Thank you,love your videos 🔥❤️🔥

[@effinericsloan]

you do it differently than what i've seen other texan's i've watched. but still look delicious im wanting to do this sometime.

[@notsure1872]

Gonna have to try this recipe

[@franciscoperez6356]

Looks Delicious ! Putting some cachete in the slow cooker tonight. Thanks

[@jon316love9]

Hey Arnie I’m from south Louisiana I love food I love flavors and your channel ! Keep Rocking It man!

[@ArnieTex]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@seamus6387]

Man that looks good!

[@edwardgutierrez3323]

Well Arnie ...EXCELLENT...BEAUTIFUL RECIPE...WOW....KEEP IT UP ARNIE....WOW

[@dwaynewladyka577]

That sure looks good. Cheers, Arnie! 👍👍✌️🌮🌮

[@adrianm7533]

There’s folks that don’t believe tongue is that good, but if there’s any meat I could exist on, it would be tongue!🤤👏🏽

[@markdavis6116]

I love you Brother your stuff is always the best advice I've amazing stuff following you my friend

[@frankthetank1369]

The first time i had it was in San Antonio Texas. Good stuff. Im hook from day one.

[@jdad8726]

Super glad I found this I haven't had it since I was in Texas

[@001SapoBBQ]

Heck yeah.,. I never tried the oven yet. I'm done slow cooker and instant pot.... No more sesos in barbacoa... Yours came out awesome Carnal 👍

[@emwelder59]

Thank you so much for posting all wonderful cooking videos. Saludos from Indio,ca an originally fro Mercedes ,tx

[@pedroponce5295]

Love your videos

[@azuredreamfall]

I’ve been looking for a good Barbacoa recipe for years now! Miss the flavor of it from the flea markets in Juarez, being out here in Ohio you don’t have the selection of markets that somewhere like Chicago would have for barbacoa of this caliber thank you so much!

[@TheGolfCellar]

I live in northwest Ohio and we have some good options, up in Detroit the Mexican flea market is only about an hrs drive away, Chicago's Mexican flea market is also one of my favorites like you mentioned.

[@maryalison1321]

Hi Jonathan how are you doing

[@mikaveli2149]

Watch here and fb now your the best man. That barbacoa 💯💥💥

[@RahulSharma-mo1kr]

Arnie, Merry Xmas to You, Your Family and All of The Fellow Viewers! May you all have a Wonderful and Blessed New Year! Thank you so much for all of your videos and inspiring me to take the first step in starting the business idea that has been in my mind for the last couple of months. Can I ask is it the case that barbacoa traditionally is cooked with goat or lamb, or is this only in certain areas of Mexico? Thank you. Regards, Rahul.

[@domingarowley1012]

Yummy yummy 😋Love it

[@wilcsen]

very excited to fix this for my family! :)

[@mathewshackelford8037]

I'm tellin you Arnie, I love your videos!

[@lew-e]

Ive got a tongue and some cheeks in my freezer from the cow I bought. I've been wanting to cook up some barbacoa really bad and this looks perfect!

[@oqwazyme4616]

Barbacoa...man I am coming over !!

[@patrickmitchell100]

I absolutely love barbacoa 🤤

[@Capnobvious]

Man got me sitting here mouth watering wishing I had some Barbacoa and menudo in front of me.

[@jmichel70]

Thank you

[@matthewtaylor6870]

Your Recipes are the best! tan rico todas!!!!