Chipotle's Barbacoa Copycat Recipe

Recreate the bold, smoky flavors of your favorite Mexican restaurant with this irresistible Chipotle Barbacoa Copycat Recipe! Tender chunks of beef chuck roast are slow-cooked or pressure-cooked in a savory, spice-packed sauce made from chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic, lime juice, and a blend of earthy seasonings like cumin, cinnamon, and cloves. The result? Perfectly shredded, melt-in-your-mouth barbacoa that’s dripping with rich, tangy flavor. Whether you’re making tacos, burrito bowls, or hearty salads, this homemade barbacoa adds an authentic, restaurant-quality touch to your meal. With simple prep and a hands-off cooking process, this recipe is the ultimate comfort food for weeknight dinners or festive gatherings.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:260 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 3 lbs Beef chuck roast
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 3 peppers Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 2 tbsp Adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers
• 6 cloves Garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp Fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
• 2 tsp Ground cumin
• 0.5 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 0.25 tsp Ground cloves
• 1.5 cups Beef broth
• 2 Bay leaves
• 1.5 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Trim excess fat from the beef chuck roast and cut it into large chunks (approximately 3-inch pieces).

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Sear the beef pieces on all sides until browned, then transfer the beef to a slow cooker or pressure cooker.

Step 3

In a blender or food processor, combine chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic cloves, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, dried oregano, ground cloves, and beef broth. Blend until smooth to create the barbacoa sauce.

Step 4

Pour the barbacoa sauce over the beef in the slow cooker or pressure cooker.

Step 5

Add the bay leaves, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker or pressure cooker.

Step 6

If using a slow cooker, cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and easily shreddable. If using a pressure cooker, cook on high pressure for about 60 minutes, then allow for a natural pressure release.

Step 7

Once the beef is cooked and tender, remove the bay leaves and use two forks to shred the meat directly in the cooker. Mix the shredded beef with the sauce to ensure everything is evenly coated.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or spices if needed.

Step 9

Serve the barbacoa hot in tacos, burritos, bowls, or salads with your favorite toppings and sides!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1905.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3800.1

Total Fat 304.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 114.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 1020.6mg	0%
Sodium 6246.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 22.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.9g	0%
Total Sugars 3.1g
Protein 253.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 297.8mg	0%
Iron 41.4mg	0%
Potassium 4317.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 71.3%

Protein: 26.4%

Carbs: 2.3%