Barbacoa is a traditional Mexican cooking method that involves slow-cooking meat, typically beef, lamb, or goat, until it becomes tender and flavorful. The meat is often seasoned with spices and wrapped in leaves, then cooked in a pit or oven. This method allows the meat to absorb the flavors of the seasonings and become juicy. Originally, barbacoa was cooked in underground pits, a technique that dates back to the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean and Mexico. Today, it is commonly served in tacos or burritos, often accompanied by onions, cilantro, and salsa, making it a popular dish in Mexican cuisine.