↑

The Magical Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Recipes

  • Recipe Box
  • Buy my Digital Cookbook
  • About me
  • Contact Me
  • Free Slow Cooker Newsletter

Home » Beef » Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa

Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa

by Sarah Olson on January 10, 2020 | Updated June 17, 2020 23 Comments

4082shares
  • 3306
  • 697
  • 79
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa
collage of chipotle barbacoa photos for pinterest

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.

Shredded Chipotle Barbacoa in slow cooker

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!

ingredients for barbacoa in front of slow cooker

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
portioned out ingredients for barbacoa

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.
chipotle barbacoa meat in slow cooker raw

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.
cooked and whole chuck roast

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.
shredded chipotle barbacoa in slow cooker

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!
sides for barbacoa

What can I do with this meat?

  • Burritos
  • Tacos
  • Burrito Bowls
  • Can even be put into enchiladas or quesadillas.
chipotle barbacoa meat on tortilla

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
chipotle barbcoa burrito

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 barbcoa burrito

Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa

5 from 11 votes
Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa made in the slow cooker with chipotle peppers, cloves and garlic!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chipotle barbacoa
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 hours
Total Time: 10 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 348kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

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
US Customary – Metric

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.
What can I make with this meat?
  • Burritos
  • Tacos
  • Burrito Bowls
  • Can even be put into enchiladas or quesadillas
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.
 

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
4082shares
  • 3306
  • 697
  • 79

FREE EMAIL SERIESSLOW COOKER SECRETS

Get Sarah's tricks to delicious and hands-free cooking!

    Filed Under: Beef, Dinner Tagged With: beef, burritos, chipotle, Crock pot, crockpot, dinner, slow coooker

    Comments

    1. Mk says

      June 16, 2020 at 8:03 pm

      When is the onion needed?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        June 17, 2020 at 8:38 am

        Add at the beginning of the cook time.

        Reply
    2. Tony Evaldez says

      May 28, 2020 at 6:57 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    3. Dan says

      May 4, 2020 at 11:33 am

      Can i cook this with some thick slices of green peppers in the crockpot?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        May 4, 2020 at 6:48 pm

        Yes! Will work great!

        Reply
    4. Katie says

      January 18, 2020 at 6:55 am

      5 stars
      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!!

      Reply
    5. Anonymous says

      December 24, 2018 at 5:43 pm

      5 stars
      Turned out great!!! Yum! And full of flavor.

      Reply
    6. Karyn says

      July 23, 2018 at 9:31 am

      What do you think of trying this in an electric smoker instead of a crockpot?

      Reply
    7. Ginger Cooper says

      March 25, 2017 at 4:14 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    8. TIffany says

      May 21, 2015 at 1:31 pm

      5 stars
      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….

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        May 21, 2015 at 3:05 pm

        Monterey Jack. That is what Chipotle uses.

        Reply
    9. Catherine says

      May 19, 2015 at 12:56 pm

      Dear Sarah, this looks wonderful! I would love to have this right now with cold glass of lemonade. Heaven! xo, Catherine

      Reply
    10. Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says

      May 19, 2015 at 10:44 am

      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! 🙂

      Reply
    11. The Foodie Affair says

      May 18, 2015 at 9:11 pm

      Yes, we do like Chipotle and I have a can waiting to be transformed into something delicious like this barbacoa recipe!

      Reply
    12. Valerie Brunmeier (@ValeriesKitchn) says

      May 18, 2015 at 7:24 pm

      Cloves? Interesting! I need to try this…Pinned 🙂

      Reply
      • Anonymous says

        September 13, 2020 at 7:10 am

        I didn’t have ground clove so I used garam masala.

        Reply
    13. reneeskitchenadventures says

      May 18, 2015 at 5:25 pm

      Love the idea of this restaurant favorite at home! The slow cooker makes it look so easy!

      Reply
    14. Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says

      May 18, 2015 at 4:49 pm

      I know I have to try this!! One of my favorites! Great recipe, Sarah!!

      Reply
    15. Food Done Light (@FoodDoneLight) says

      May 18, 2015 at 4:08 pm

      I haven’t eaten in a Chipotle in years. This looks so amazing. My family is going to love it.

      Reply
    16. Joanne T Ferguson says

      May 17, 2015 at 7:27 pm

      This looks absolutely delicious Sarah! Pinned and shared!

      Reply
    17. kellysparklesandshoes says

      May 17, 2015 at 6:38 pm

      These look and sound AMAZING, yum!

      xx Kelly
      Sparkles and Shoes

      Reply
    18. NettIe Moore says

      May 17, 2015 at 6:54 am

      Looks amazing, going to try your recipe! Nettie

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published.

    Recipe Rating




    Photo of Sarah Olson holding a slow cooker

    Hello! I'm Sarah

    Welcome to The Magical Slow Cooker. Let me help you find recipes for your slow cooker that you'll enjoy!

    Best Chili Recipes

    vegetarian chili in slow cooker uncooked with wooden spoon in it.

    Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

    close up of prime rib chili in slow cooker

    Slow Cooker Prime Rib Chili

    Slow Cooker Hot Chili

    close up of white chicken chili in slow cooker with wooden spoon in it. Fritos on side.

    Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

    beef chili in slow cooker with cornbread and oyster crackers on the side.

    Chuck Wagon Chili

    pumpkin chili with meat and beans. Cornbread, cheese and onions on the side.

    Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili

    Magical Cooker logo

    FREE EMAIL SERIESSLOW COOKER SECRETS

    Get Sarah's tricks to delicious and hands-free cooking!

      Most Popular Recipes

      close up of enchilada casserole

      Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole

      close up photo of chicken, potatoes and green beans in slow cooker

      Seasoned Chicken, Potatoes and Green beans

      shredded creamy chicken with bacon and cheese on top.

      Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

      close up of pasta, chicken and cheese in slow cooker

      Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

      cooked salisbury steaks in gravy in slow cooker

      Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

      Close up of chicken and gravy in a slow cooker.

      Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

      Featured on:

      Featured in BuzzFeed, The Kitchen, Popsugar, 12 Tomatoes, yummly, Today, and Country Living

      FREE EMAIL SERIESSLOW COOKER SECRETS

        Privacy Policy  Nutritional Disclosure

        The Magical Slow Cooker is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
        Copyright ©2021, The Magical Slow Cooker. All Rights Reserved.
        Design by Pixel Me Designs