Chipotle Beef Barbacoa (Crock Pot / Slow Cooker)
30 Comments Dec 27, 2021
Updated Nov 29, 2023
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Make this recipe for Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa right in your slow cooker. This recipe has a few interesting ingredients to give its unique flavor.
Shredded beef is the best thing to come out of the slow cooker. Whether it be this chipotle barbacoa or my Beef and Onion Chuck Roast. Chuck Roast in the slow cooker always turns out tender.
Table of Contents
- What does Barbacoa mean?
- How to make Chipotle Barbacoa in the crockpot:
- Step-by-Step Directions
- How do I make this less spicy?
- Sides to make with Chipotle Barbacoa (more copycat recipes!)
- What can I do with this meat?
- Recipes FAQs and Expert Tips
- Chipotle Barbacoa Recipe Recipe
- Other Mexican style recipes to make in the slow cooker:
Do you love Chipotle food as much as I do? Then you will love this Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa recipe I make in my crock pot.
We eat Chipotle one night a week, no joke. I LOVE their Barbacoa. If you don’t know what Barbacoa is, I would describe it as a Mexican shredded beef. When I make this at home I can eat it for lunch the next day too! You can see over at Chipotle’s Website (click on barbacoa) that my recipe has everything that they put in theirs!
What does Barbacoa mean?
Barbacoa means “Barbecue” in Spanish. It also describes the Mexican cooking of meat (beef or lamb) that has been slowly cooked with seasonings and is usually shredded. The dish barbacoa originated in Mexico.
How to make Chipotle Barbacoa in the crockpot:
Ingredients
- Beef Chuck Roast – Chuck roast has the most flavoring than other roasts and melts in your mouth!
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo – This adds smoke flavor and HEAT! Don’t go crazy and add extra unless you can handle spicy foods.
- Ground Cloves – This is one flavor I was shocked was in barbacoa, but really makes it special and just like Chipotle.
- Other ingredients to not be forgotten – Sweet onion, garlic, cumin, bay leaves, oregano, salt, pepper, cooking oil and water (or beef broth).
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Sear your meat on both sides. Do this by heating a skillet over medium-high heat, adding a touch of cooking oil. When the oil is hot, brown all the sides of your roast. Add the meat and other ingredients to your slow cooker.
Step Two -Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 5-6 hours or low for 8-10. This recipe has plenty of liquid, so it’s a great recipe to leave all day without worrying that it will dry up and burn.
Step Three – Shred the meat with two forks and serve!
How do I make this less spicy?
- Barbacoa is made spicy by the chipotle peppers and is the main ingredient for the flavor of this recipe.
- If you can’t handle the heat you can cut this in half. If you omit this completely, you will not have the true Chipotle flavored barbacoa.
Sides to make with Chipotle Barbacoa (more copycat recipes!)
- Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice – really great for any Mexican meal. The flavor comes from the fresh lime juice.
- Copycat Chipotle Guacamole – I use this recipe often!
- Copycat Chipotle Fresh Tomato Salsa – Very colorful and flavorful this is Pico De Gallo, be sure to add plenty of fresh cilantro.
- Slow Cooker Pinto Beans – This is my spicy pinto beans recipe! Or you can use canned black beans.
What can I do with this meat?
- Burritos – Find large flour tortillas and make burritos just like the restaurant.
- Tacos – Make hard shell corn tortilla tacos or soft shell tacos.
- Burrito Bowls – Forget the tortilla and pile the flavorful beef on rice and beans.
- Beef barbacoa can even be put into enchiladas or quesadillas! Be creative.
Recipes FAQs and Expert Tips
Barbacoa should melt in your mouth, it’s so tender! It has chipotle pepper flavoring along with a touch of cloves.
Using two forks, shred the beef right in the slow cooker. Discard any fatty pieces.
Chicken breasts or thighs can be used instead of a beef chuck roast. You will need to add more salt if you use chicken for it has less flavor than a chuck roast.
Yes! For this recipe, I really think it adds more flavor to the dish and makes it taste just like Chipotle’s Barbacoa.
If desired, after cooking, lay a paper towel over the sauce to degrease it. Pull the paper towel away quickly and discard it.
The leftover meat can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 days or in the freezer for up to three months.
Yes! Sear your beef in the instant pot, then the rest of the ingredients (plus an extra 1/2 cup of water). Place the lid on the pot and seal, make sure your vent is on the closed position. Pressure cook on HIGH for 70 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.
If you want a more authentic Mexican flavor, add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and the juice of half a lime. This will change the flavor from Chipotle’s recipe, though it will taste more authentic.
Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.
Chipotle Barbacoa Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. beef chuck roast
- 2 Tbsp. cooking oil
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. dried leaf oregano, (not ground)
- 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
- 2 bay leaves,
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 chipotle peppers, minced(from a can of chipotle peppers)
- 1 Tbsp. adobo sauce, (this is the sauce from the can of chipotle peppers)
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup water, (or beef broth)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot add the oil. Brown the chuck roast on all sides, then add the roast to the slow cooker
- Sprinkle the roast with the salt, oregano, cumin and cloves. Add the bay leaves, minced garlic, onions, minced chipotle peppers, and adobo sauce (that's from the can of peppers) on top the roast. Add the water around the sides of the roast.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours, without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- When the roast is done cooking, remove and discard the bay leaves. Shred the meat with 2 forks. If the meat is really fatty, I do the shredding on a plate so I can pick out the fatty pieces and discard them. Add the shredded meat back into the juices in the slow cooker.
- Serve and enjoy!
How to Video
Sarah’s Notes
- Barbacoa is made spicy by the chipotle peppers and is the main ingredient for the flavor of this recipe.
- If you can’t handle the heat you can cut this in half. If you omit this completely you will not have the true Chipotle flavored barbacoa.
- Burritos
- Tacos
- Burrito Bowls
- Can even be put into enchiladas or quesadillas
- Chicken breasts or thighs can be used instead of a beef chuck roast.
- You will need to add more salt if you use chicken for it has less flavor than a chuck roast.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Can I freeze this after it’s cooked and shredded?
Yes, this will freeze very well!
Thanks!
Great recipe, I’ve made it several times in the slow cooker but can I cook it in a Dutch oven? Time and temperature?
I don’t test my recipes in a dutch oven, though I think it would work great.