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.
Do you love Chipotle as much as I do? Then you will love this Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa recipe I make in my slow cooker.
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!
How to make Chipotle Barbacoa in the crockpot:
- 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.
You can see over at Chipotle’s Website (click on barbaoca) that my recipe has everything that they put in theirs!
Should I sear my beef?
- Yes! For this recipe, I really think it adds more flavor to the dish and makes it taste just like Chipotle’s
How long do I cook in the slow cooker?
- 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.
How do I shred meat in the slow cooker?
- Using two forks, shred the beef right in the slow cooker.
- Discard any fatty pieces.
How can I make this less greasy?
- If desired, lay a paper towel over the sauce to degrease it.
- Pull the paper towel away quickly and discard it.
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.
Can I use chicken instead of beef for barbacoa?
- 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.
Sides to make with Chipotle Barbacoa:
- Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice – really great for any Mexican meal.
- Copycat Chipotle Guacamole – I use this recipe often!
- Copycat Chipotle Fresh Tomato Salsa – Very colorful and flavorful.
- Slow Cooker Pinto Beans – This is my spicy pinto bean recipe!
What can I do with this meat?
- Burritos
- Tacos
- Burrito Bowls
- Can even be put into enchiladas or quesadillas.
Other Mexican style recipes to make in the slow cooker:
- Slow Cooker Chile Verde
- Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Fajitas
- Slow Cooker Smothered Beef Burritos
- Slow Cooker Refried Beans
- Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas
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Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa
Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa made in the slow cooker with chipotle peppers, cloves and garlic!
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Servings: 8
Calories: 348kcal
Equipment Needed:
- Slow Cooker – 5 quart or larger
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs. beef chuck roast
- 2 Tbsp. cooking oil
- 1 tsp. salt
- 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
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:
Recipe Notes:
How can 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.
- 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:
Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 863mg | Potassium: 565mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 4mg
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker
When is the onion needed?
Add at the beginning of the cook time.
Sarah, thank you so much for this delicious recipe. We had a hearty dinner. Everybody in our family loves it. We ate it with an 8 inch round flour tortilla, salsa and sour cream. I didn’t have a guacamole but it is still a killer.
Can i cook this with some thick slices of green peppers in the crockpot?
Yes! Will work great!
I have made this recipe probably 50 times, and it is my go to when I am having people over or cooking for a crowd. The Barbacoa also makes great, delicious nacho meat at a Super Bowl party. Thank you for sharing the recipe!!
Turned out great!!! Yum! And full of flavor.
What do you think of trying this in an electric smoker instead of a crockpot?
Just made your recipe today and it’s so delicious! No changes made and no changes are needed! We let the meat cook for 9 hours and it was flavorful and tender. Great recipe!
Hi Sarah! I am serving this, along with the rice, guac, and Pico tonight!! But what type of cheese is that you have pictured atop the barbacoa? I think it would go well with cheese in a flour tortilla….
Monterey Jack. That is what Chipotle uses.
Dear Sarah, this looks wonderful! I would love to have this right now with cold glass of lemonade. Heaven! xo, Catherine
I am so glad you posted this recipe! We used to eat at Chipotle often when we lived in Columbus, but we don’t have one close where we live now. Now I can make it at home! 🙂
Yes, we do like Chipotle and I have a can waiting to be transformed into something delicious like this barbacoa recipe!
Cloves? Interesting! I need to try this…Pinned 🙂
I didn’t have ground clove so I used garam masala.
Love the idea of this restaurant favorite at home! The slow cooker makes it look so easy!
I know I have to try this!! One of my favorites! Great recipe, Sarah!!
I haven’t eaten in a Chipotle in years. This looks so amazing. My family is going to love it.
This looks absolutely delicious Sarah! Pinned and shared!
These look and sound AMAZING, yum!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
Looks amazing, going to try your recipe! Nettie