If you're craving that bold, chipotle beef flavors from your favorite Mexican chain, this Chipotle Barbacoa Copycat Recipe will bring those restaurant vibes to your kitchen. Packed with smoky chipotle peppers, aromatic spices, and melt-in-your-mouth beef, this barbacoa is perfect for tacos, burritos, a rice bowl, or salads.
Get ready to make the most flavorful and tender barbacoa right at home with this easy slow cooker recipe! Whether you’re looking to elevate your taco night or add a little spice to your weekly meal prep, this dish is a surefire hit. The best part? The slow cooker does all the work, making it a stress-free option for busy days. Let’s dive in!
Since you are here and love great recipes from your favorite restaurants, check out this Easy Taco Bell Chicken Chipotle Melt Copycat Recipe, this Chili's Sliders Recipe, or this The Best KFC Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe.
Ingredients for this chipotle barbacoa copycat recipe
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this beef barbacoa Chipotle copycat recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements.
- Beef Chuck Roast: is the star of this recipe, providing rich, tender meat that absorbs all the delicious, spiced flavors as it slow-cooks to perfection. You will want it trimmed of excess fat.
- Chipotle Peppers: You will want the canned ones that come with the adobo sauce.
- Adobo Sauce: We will be using the adobo sauce that comes with the chipotle peppers.
- Onion: add a layer of sweetness and depth to the sauce. You can use white, yellow, or red onion.
- Garlic Cloves: infuses the dish with a bold, aromatic kick and adds tons of flavor.
- Lime Juice: The citrus flavor balances out the smokiness of the adobo sauce. You will need about 2-3 limes to get enough juice.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: adds a tangy brightness to the sauce, cutting through the fattiness of the beef.
- Water: to hydrate the ingredients and turn the juices into a sauce.
- Bay Leaves: lend a subtle and earthy depth to the dish.
- Ground Cumin: brings a warm undertone to the sauce, giving the barbacoa part of its signature flavor.
- Dried Oregano: adds an herbal note that balances the richness of the beef.
- Ground Cloves: adds depth and a slightly sweet, earthy flavor.
- Black Pepper and Salt: are essential for seasoning and enhancing the natural flavors of the beef and spices.
- Vegetable or Olive Oil: helps brown the beef to a perfect golden-brown crust, locking in its juices.
- Fresh Cilantro: This is optional as a serving garnish. If you choose to use it, just make sure it's chopped.
How to make this chipotle barbacoa copycat recipe
This is how you can make this copycat Chipotle barbacoa recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the temperature, cook-time, and full step-by-step instructions.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or pressure cooker over medium-high heat. Brown the beef chuck roast pieces on all sides until it's well-seared. Transfer the seared beef to your slow cooker.
- Using a blender, combine chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped onion, garlic, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, cumin, oregano, ground cloves, black pepper, salt, and cinnamon. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the blended chipotle sauce over the seared beef in the slow cooker or crock pot. Add bay leaves. Cover and cook until the meat is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
- Pick the bay leaves and throw them out.
- Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker to absorb the flavorful juices.
- Serve the barbacoa in burrito bowls, tacos, or salads. Optionally, garnish with fresh cilantro.
Why you need to make this Chipotle Barbacoa copycat recipe
- This easy recipe requires a simple ingredient list that you can find at any grocery store.
- Once you try this delicious meal homemade for the first time, you'll never need to go to Chipotle ever again.
- Besides being a great copycat Chipotle recipe, it's the best way to enjoy a tender beef roast that the entire family will enjoy.
- It's super easy to customize by adding your favorite toppings or favorite salsa.
- Make it on Sunday as a meal prep for the week!
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Why is it better to cook the meat at a lower temperature for more time?
Cooking meat at a lower temperature for a longer time allows the connective tissue to slowly break down, resulting in a more tender and juicy texture. This method also helps the flavors to develop and penetrate the meat fully, giving it a richer, more intense taste.
Can I use a different cut of beef or type of meat for this copycat Chipotle barbacoa beef recipe?
Yes! While beef chuck roast is ideal for its tenderness and marbling, you can also use brisket, beef shoulder, or slow cooker carnitas (if you want to use pork) for similar results. Just be mindful that different cuts may require slightly adjusted cooking times.
How do I store leftovers of this slow cooker barbacoa beef?
To store your barbacoa, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Make sure to store the beef in its sauce to keep it juicy and flavorful.
How do I reheat your chipotle barbacoa copycat recipe?
When ready to enjoy, thaw the frozen barbacoa overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
What can I serve with this traditional Mexican dish?
- Make nachos by throwing it over a bed of tortilla chips, cheddar cheese, and pico de gallo.
- Create a burrito by first laying some black beans over a flour tortilla and then adding the Chipotle barbacoa meat.
- Make a cilantro lime rice bowl topped with the meat and sour cream.
- Create tasty tacos by topping the meat with white onions and cilantro over corn tortillas.
- Make a cheesy quesadilla with this to change things up and enjoy somrthing extra cheesy.
The Best Chipotle Barbacoa Copycat Recipe
Chipotle copycat Barbacoa in slow cooker
Ingredients
- 3 lbs beef chuck roast trimmed of excess fat, cut into small pieces.
- 3 chipotle peppers the ones in the canned adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from the chipotle peppers
- 1 large onion diced
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 cup lime juice about 2-3 limes
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 bay leaves
- 1/2 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1-2 tsp salt to taste, start with less then taste when the meat is cooked and adjust
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil for browning
- Fresh cilantro chopped (optional for serving)
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Sear the beef chuck roast on all sides until browned (about 3-4 minutes per side). Transfer the beef to your slow cooker.3 lbs beef chuck roast, 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Sautee the onions in the leftover oil/grease of the meat until translucent. Transfer to the slow cooker1 large onion
You can also do this step in your slow cooker if it has the option to sear/sautee. That's what I did.
- In a blender, add the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, cumin, oregano, ground cloves, black pepper, salt, and cinnamon. Blend until smooth.3 chipotle peppers, 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, 5 garlic cloves, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, 1 tsp black pepper, 1-2 tsp salt
- Pour the blended sauce over the seared beef in the slow cooker. Add the bay leaves. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-9 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and easily shredded with a fork. If you are cooking it on high for less time, make sure the beef pieces are cut into smaller pieces than the ones I shower on the photos of this article.3 bay leaves
- Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker to soak in the juices for another 15-20 minutes.
- Serve the barbacoa in bowls, tacos, burritos, or salads, and top with fresh cilantro if desired.Fresh cilantro
Mindy says
This is perfect! I added 1 Cup of beef broth because it calls for broth in the sauce but it didn’t say how much in the ingredients. I looked at other copycat recipes to get a liquid amount and went with that.
Chahinez says
Hi Mindy!
I love that you tried it with broth — that definitely works if you want extra sauciness! For my version, I used the lime juice, vinegar, and water as the liquid base, which is enough on its own, but adding beef broth is a great option too. I’ll make a note in the recipe so it’s clear both ways. Thanks so much for sharing what worked for you!