Chipotle Beef Barbacoa Recipe | Elizabeth Rider

This chipotle beef barbacoa recipe will make you excited to cook at home! It’s proof that a few simple ingredients can transform something ordinary into extraordinary.

We use chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for that distinct smokey, savory, bold flavor. The title also has a second meaning—this shredded beef recipe tastes a lot like the food chain Chipotle’s barbacoa.

It’s easy to make, great for meal prep, and perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, or just on its own. Prep time is quick—just toss it all in the Crockpot and let it work its magic.

When you cook a tough cut of beef like this in a slow cooker with a flavorful sauce, the results are fantastic. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen.

What is barbacoa? Barbacoa is a traditional Mexican dish made by slow-cooking meat, usually beef, and sometimes lamb or goat, until it’s tender and easy to shred. It’s typically prepared with a flavorful sauce of chipotle chiles, garlic, cumin, and lime juice, resulting in a rich, savory dish often served in tacos or burritos.

Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa Recipe

Ingredients:

• For the beef: 1 (4-pound) beef brisket or a (4-pound) beef chuck roast (anywhere from 3-6 pounds works), see my tips on choosing the cut of beef below
• Avocado oil (or another high-heat oil): If you want to sear the meat before putting in the slow cooker, you’ll need a high-heat neutral oil like avocado oil. I often skip searing because, to be honest, there isn’t a huge difference in this recipe, and it saves time.
• For the braising/slow cooker barbacoa sauce:
  • Bay leaf
  • Fresh lime juice
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • 1 can chipotle chiles in adobo (you’ll use 3-4 chiles plus some of the sauce, see description below)
  • Fresh garlic cloves
  • Ground cumin
  • Dried oregano (preferably Mexican oregano)
  • Ground cloves
  • Sugar or honey
  • Kosher salt or sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Beef broth or chicken broth (veggie broth/stock or water also works)
• Ideas to serve: Corn tortillas or flour tortillas, rice (cilantro lime rice is a favorite), and/or burrito bowl fixings such as lettuce, cheese, salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, corn, black beans, my healthy not-fried refried beans, pickled red onions, and/or guacamole or avocado

What is chipotle in adobo? “Chipotle in adobo” is a product of smoked and dried jalapeño peppers that are rehydrated and marinated in a rich, tangy tomato-based sauce. Chipotle in adobo adds a deep, smoky flavor to dishes. Use fewer for a more mild dish, and more for a spicier dish. They are inexpensive, and you can find them in small cans in the Latin foods aisle of most grocery stores, or at specialty markets and online. You’ll have leftovers from 1 small can, so transfer the peppers and sauce to a plastic bag or freezer-safe container and freeze them for a future recipe.

Barbacoa Cooking Method:

This slow-cooker shredded beef barbacoa is incredibly simple to make. You’ll blend the sauce in a blender or food processor, then put the meat in the slow cooker, pour the sauce over it, and let it cook on high for 6-8 hours or low for 8-10 hours, then shred it with 2 forks. You’ll have wonderful, melt-in-your-mouth beef barbacoa.

See the full printable recipe card below for detailed measurements and instructions.

Crockpot (aka Slow Cooker) Method

I recommend braising in a Crockpot (aka slow cooker) because it needs to be braised for a long period of time, and a crockpot is an easy, almost foolproof way to braise anything.

What is braising? Braising is a cooking method that involves slowly cooking meat in a small amount of liquid at a low temperature for a long period of time. Braising is beneficial for breaking down tough cuts of meat such as Chuck Roast or Beef Brisket into tender, flavorful dishes. My recipe for Crockpot Pot Roast with Potatoes is another example of this method.

I have this 6-quart Crockpot, and here are more that I recommend if you’re in the market for one:

A slow cooker is ideal for braising because it maintains a consistently low temperature over several hours, ensuring the meat cooks gently and evenly. The sealed environment keeps the meat moist and allows it to absorb all the flavors from the braising liquid. Plus, it’s convenient! Just set it and forget it for a delicious, ready-to-eat meal.

However, if you don’t have a slow cooker, you can do this in a Dutch oven on the stove. Pressure cooking this in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker is also an option.

Dutch Oven

You can also braise meat in a Dutch oven (a large cast iron pot with a lid) in the oven. I find the Crockpot to be a more efficient way to do this (it uses much less electricity than keeping your oven on for 8-10 hours), but it’s an option if you don’t have a slow cooker. You must use a cast iron pan like a Dutch oven with a tight lid to keep the heat in.

I’ve had my Le Creuset Dutch oven for over 10 years and love it. This is a great budget-friendly option, too. Look for a 5.5-6 quart Dutch oven for general purposes.

Instant Pot

If you have an Instant Pot and you’re short on time, you can also pressure cook a tough cut of meat like a brisket or chuck roast, though I still prefer the slow cooker because I find it still turns out more tender. Most Instant Pots have a slow cooker function, making it a great two-in-one appliance.

Choosing the Cut of Meat

When it comes to choosing the cut of beef for barbacoa, the right choice makes all the difference.

While chuck roast is popular due to its marbling and availability, brisket is my preferred cut for this recipe.

Brisket has the perfect balance of fat and lean meat, which renders beautifully during slow cooking, resulting in incredibly tender and flavorful shredded beef. Its rich, beefy taste pairs perfectly with the bold spices in the barbacoa sauce, making it an excellent choice for those looking to elevate their dish.

However, sometimes brisket can cost more than other cuts of meat. If it’s not an option that week, a Chuck roast also works great.

Ideas to Serve Barbacoa Beef

This Chipotle Barbacoa is not only a delicious dinner, but also perfect for meal prep.

You can easily prepare a large batch, store it in the fridge, and use it throughout the week. You can use Chipotle Barbacoa in:

• Tacos; I like beef barbacoa on small corn tortillas dressed with cilantro and pickled red onion
• Burrito or burrito bowls; I like to add rice, avocado, lettuce, pico de gallo or salsa, and pickled red onion
• Quesadillas
• Stuffed into peppers
• On top of a taco-style salad
• Mix it with scrambled eggs for a flavorful breakfast
• Toss it into a soup or stew for an extra protein boost

The versatility of this Crockpot barbacoa makes it a go-to option for busy weeks when you want something quick, easy, and satisfying.

More Crockpot Meals

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Nutrition Facts (5-ounce portion)

Servings and cuts of meat can vary, so keep in mind nutrition facts are generally estimates:

• Calories: 300
• Protein: 25g
• Fat: 19g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Carbohydrates: 4g
• Sugar: 1g
• Fiber: 0g