Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa Recipe {the BEST for slow cooker!}

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If you love Chipotle’s barbacoa beef, give this copycat Chipotle Barbacoa slow cooker recipe a try. Tender, flavorful, fall-apart goodness.

Homemade Chipotle Burrito Bowl Bar

When we’re expecting a crowd of guests, homemade burrito bowls are always a hit. People can make their own burritos, bowls, tacos, salads, and even quesadillas, taking what they want and leaving what they don’t.

We typically have the following items on our burrito bowl bar:

• Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa (of course)
• Copycat Chipotle Chicken
• Copycat Chipotle Pinto Beans
• Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
• Copycat Chipotle Fresh Tomato Salsa
• Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa
• Copycat Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette
• Guacamole
• Sour cream (organic sour cream is extra rich and creamy)
• Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Shredded Lettuce
• Salsas
• Fresh cilantro
• Tortillas

Chipotle Barbacoa Ingredients

• 3 lb beef chuck roast
• 1/2 cup beef broth (try making beef broth with Better Than Bouillon Beef Base)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 bay leaf
• 5 cloves garlic
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

How to Make Chipotle Barbacoa Beef Recipe

1. Cut the roast into 3-inch cubes.

2. Place the meat into a greased slow cooker.
3. In a blender, combine all other ingredients except the bay leaf.

4. Blend until smooth.

5. Pour the mixture over the meat and add the bay leaf.

6. Cook in the slow cooker on low for about 8 hours (or high for about 5 hours), until the meat can be shredded easily with a fork.
7. Remove the bay leaf.
8. Shred beef directly in the slow cooker to soak up the braising liquid. Serve in corn tortillas or flour tortillas as barbacoa tacos, in burrito bowls, or on top of cilantro lime rice. Plate extras with sour cream, pico de gallo, black beans, fajita veggies, or romaine lettuce.

Serving Suggestions & Favorite Ways

• Burrito bowls with cilantro lime rice, black beans, pico de gallo, and sour cream.
• Barbacoa tacos on warm corn tortillas with a squeeze of lime juice and fresh cilantro.
• Taco salad built on romaine lettuce, barbacoa, tortilla chips, cheese, and sour cream.
• Nachos layered with tortilla chips, cheese, barbacoa, and pickled onions.
• Meal prep: store in an airtight container or freezer bag for easy weekday meals.

More Ways to Use This Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa Beef Recipe

If you’re like me, you’ll want to stretch this delicious meat across several meals. It’s an easy way to meal prep without getting bored. Here are more of our favorite ways to use this tender beef recipe throughout the week:

• Chipotle-inspired barbacoa burritos wrapped in a soft flour tortilla with cilantro lime rice and chipotle corn salsa.
• Rice bowls with white rice, black beans, chipotle steak, and a squeeze of lime juice for balance.
• Top a romaine lettuce taco salad with shredded meat, tomato paste salsa, corn, and sour cream.
• Layer over nachos with melty cheese, chili powder-spiced black beans, and green chiles.
• Try it with fajita veggies and tortilla chips for a smoky, chipotle copycat recipe the entire family will love.
• Reheat leftovers in a little oil in a dutch oven or on medium-high heat for crispy edges.
• Make a barbacoa breakfast hash with potatoes and red onion in a cast iron skillet next time.
• Add it to a warm bowl of beef broth with veggies for a Mexican shredded beef soup.
• Don’t forget—this beef stores great in an air-tight container and packs well for lunches or freezer meals.

Whether it’s taco night or a quiet meal at home, this slow cooker barbacoa beef roast makes an easy, hearty shredded beef dish full of rich, smoky flavor. Use it in your favorite ways and share with loved ones.

Why This Recipe Works

1. Beef chuck roast is perfect for breaking down connective tissues in this pot roast‑style recipe.
2. Adobo sauce and chipotle chiles give that smoky, spicy flair.
3. Apple cider vinegar and lime juice help tenderize meat and add a bright tang.
4. Ground cloves, cumin, bay leaves, and other spices build complexity.
5. Overnight marinating deepens the flavor through the braising liquid.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How spicy is this? It’s medium heat by default. Use fewer chipotles or reduce adobo sauce for milder heat.
• Can I use different cuts of beef? Yes. Beef brisket or beef roast both work. Just ensure plenty of connective tissues for shredding.
• How to store leftovers? Keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• What side dishes go well? Cilantro lime rice, black beans, tortilla chips, pico de gallo, fajita veggies, and sour cream all pair beautifully.

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Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa Slow Cooker Recipe

If you love Chipotle’s barbacoa beef, give this copycat Chipotle Barbacoa slow cooker recipe a try. Tender, flavorful, fall-apart goodness.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 9 hours hrs

Total Time 9 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Ingredients

  

• 3 lb beef chuck roast
• 1/2 c Beef broth
• 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Lime juice
• 1 Bay leaf
• 5 cloves Garlic
• 2 Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 2 tsp Cumin
• 1 tbsp Oregano
• 1/2 tsp Ground cloves
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Pepper

Instructions

 

• Cut the roast into 3-inch cubes.
• Place the meat into a greased slow cooker.
• In a blender, combine all other ingredients except the bay leaf.
• Blend until smooth.
• Pour the mixture over the meat and add the bay leaf.
• Cook in the slow cooker on low for about 8 hours (or high for about 5 hours), until the meat can be shredded easily with a fork.
• Remove the bay leaf.
• Shred beef directly in the slow cooker to soak up the braising liquid. Serve in corn tortillas or flour tortillas as barbacoa tacos, in burrito bowls, or on top of cilantro lime rice. Plate extras with sour cream, pico de gallo, black beans, fajita veggies, or romaine lettuce.