Chipotle Beef Barbacoa Recipe (Slow Cooker/Crock Pot)

This post may contain affiliate links to help keep this content free. (full disclosure)

have you ever Barbacoa beef At Chipotle?Their chicken is delicious and the fajita veggies are mouthwatering, but jalapeno pepper? I would say this is the best (especially if you avocado). If you’ve ever had one, you know it.I bet you’re wondering if it’s possible to cook Crock Pot slow cooker barbacoa meat At home, too.good news: this Beef barbacoa recipe very easy (as easy as making pulled pork) and only ten common ingredients. yes.

If you’ve never liked your crock pot before, you’ll be making this Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa in it!This is one of my favorite Chipotle copycat recipes and one of the best Mexican beef recipe I used to do it.

What is a Barbacoa?

Barbacoa is a traditional Mexican cooked meat with soft, flavorful spices, often chopped up as a filling or topping. Traditionally, a variety of meats are used to make Mexican barbaco — including beef (usually roast or brisket), goat or lamb.

Three things are needed to make authentic barbacoa beef: the right meat, the right spices, and the cooking time to allow the flavors to develop. Traditional Mexican spices are combined with adobo, lime and chili in the broth to create a marinade that cooks slowly with the meat, while the long cooking time allows the flavors to meld and the meat becomes tender and juicy.

How does Barbacoa taste?

Barbacoa meat tastes like tender, slow-cooked shredded beef cooked with adobo sauce and lots of delicious Mexican spices. In other words, it tastes delicious.

Barbacoa Chipotle Ingredients

This section describes how to choose the best ingredients for Barbacoa, the role of each ingredient in the recipe, and substitution options. See recipe card below for measurements.

This easy beef barbacoa recipe is just another reason to love Chipotle!Did you know that Chipotle released publicly Ingredient list Every item on their menu?

To make a jalapeno-mimicking barbacoa recipe at home, I’ll start by looking at what they include when it comes to cooking a delicious beef barbacoa. As it turns out, theirs has only eleven ingredients, plus water.

Here’s the barbacoa ingredient in my recipe, very similar to Chipotle’s:

• beef – Use brisket or roast beef. These tougher cuts contain a lot of fat and connective tissue (read: collagen), which means they turn into juicy, crumbly tender Barbacoa when simmered. (I get mine the beef here, because it is grass-fed and can be delivered to my door. ) Cut the meat into large pieces, about 2 inches in size.
• Jalapeños with Adobo Sauce – These add heat and flavor to the classic! My version is a bit spicier than Chipotle’s original, so if you don’t like too much heat, you may want to reduce the amount of chilies in the adobo sauce.
• broth – Barbacoa meat needs liquid to keep it moist.For a richer flavor, use beef soup Instead of water to make your slow cooker Beef Barbacoa.you can also use bone broth for more flavor and nutrition.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – Added acidity to complement the rich beef and also helps to break down collagen in connective tissue, making the Barbacoa mushy.
• lime juice – Enhances the flavor of the spices used in this barbacoa recipe and also helps break down collagen and vinegar.You can use fresh lime juice or bottled For convenience.
• Herbs and Spices – dried oregano, Cumin powder, clove powdersea salt (or kosher), black pepper, and bay leaf.

How to Make Babako

This section shows how to make this easy barbacoa recipe in the slow cooker, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. See the recipe card below for full instructions.

1. Mixed Barbacoa SauceIn a blender combine beef broth, chili paste, garlic, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, dried oregano, cumin, sea salt, black pepper and cloves (except beef and bay leaf). Puree until it is a smooth sauce/paste consistency.
2. Prepare the meat. Cut brisket or roast into 2-inch pieces. Put them evenly into the bottom of the slow cooker.

Tip: For more flavor, sear the meat first.

This is not required and I skipped it for convenience. But if you have time, fry the beef cubes in a pan over medium heat with a little oil before placing them in the slow cooker. It will taste better this way! You may need to do this in batches if the beef doesn’t fit into the pan in a single layer.

3. combine. Pour the Barbacco sauce over the beef in the crock pot. Place two bay leaves on top.

3. Slow cooker. Turn on your slow cooker (low is recommended, but high will work if you’re short on time) and go enjoy your day. Come back later for the perfect slow cooker Beef Barbacoa.
4. Shred. Then, put it back in the juice and stir. Go ahead and make your salad or prepare your burrito, it will absorb more flavor by then. Serve with a slotted spoon and enjoy!

Variation: Make this barbacoa recipe in the Instant Pot!

Follow these instructions for Instant Pot barbacoa:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eBrown the beefu003c/strongu003e directly in the Instant Pot on the saute setting.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eBlend the sauce ingredientsu003c/strongu003e the same way as listed above and pour over the beefu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003ePressure cook for 60 Minutes u003c/strongu003e on manual settings (high pressure). Turn the vent to the vent for a quick release. u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eShred.u003c/strongu003e Remove lid, discard bay leaves and chop with two forks. u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

Storage Instructions

Store leftover beef babaco in the refrigerator.

How long will Barbacoa keep in the refrigerator?

Barbacoa meat can be kept for approx. 4-6 days in the refrigerator.

Freezing Instructions:

This beef barbacoa recipe is freezer friendly, so you can have it thawed on hand for a quick dinner.Freeze the meat in a zip-top bag or airtight container with the liquid at most 4-6 months.

Reheat Instructions:

Reheat barbacoa in the microwave, in a 350°F oven, until warm. You can also reheat barbacoa in a crock pot on a warm setting.

How to use the Barbacoa recipe

This Chipotle barbacoa meat replica can be served in many different types of Mexican recipes! Here are the most popular options:

• salad – My favorite healthy way to make homemade barbacoa beef is in a large salad, which is what I order regularly at Chipotle. My salad pictured above includes slow cooker barbacoa (of course), romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapenos, sour cream, avocado, and fresh cilantro. Other popular additions include shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican mix) ,and pico de gallo instead of tomatoes and onions.
• Burrito Bowl -similar to the salad above, but you can add cilantro lime rice (I usually use plain Cauliflower Fried Rice or Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice) and/or your favorite beans (black beans, pinto beans, etc.) for a healthy version, follow my Healthy Burrito Bowl Recipethen swap the meat for this barbacoa recipe.
• Quesadillas – Add lots of cheese (I like a mix of Mexican cheese and Cotija) and barbacoa to your favorite tortillas. Grill on the tortilla press or on the stovetop.Flour or tortillas are classic options, but for healthy tortillas, try Almond Flour Tortillas, Coconut Flour Tortillasor Cauliflower Tortillas.
• tacos – There are so many ways to make Barbacco tortillas!Use soft shells (with some tortilla ideas above), crunchy Cheesy Taco Shells, or regular hard tortilla shells. My favorite easy combo is beef barbacoa, thinly sliced ​​avocado, red onion quarter crescent, and cilantro – super easy, yet so delicious and juicy that it doesn’t even need a sauce!
• Enchiladas – Combine the Barbacco beef with the chipotle sauce, into the tortillas, roll up, and place on the baking sheet, seam side down. Top with shredded cheese (such as Colby Jack or Mexican Mix) and bake.I have that too This Low Carb Enchiladas Recipewhere you can swap chicken for barbacoa meat.
• Tamales – Use it in your favorite recipes, or swap it out for chicken Keto Tamales.
• top hat – Any of the above can benefit from adding salsa, queso (or queso fresco), shredded cheese, and sour cream, as a topping or dip, depending on the dish.

Easier Mexican Recipes

If you liked this Mexican barbacoa recipe, you will also like these:

Disclaimer: Chipotle may be a registered trademark. This recipe is my interpretation of similar dishes, but it cannot be understood as an endorsement of our company or has been recognized by our company. I have no affiliation with the company. The trademark remains the property of its owner and is used here only to describe the product.

Chipotle Beef Barbacoa Recipe (Best!)

Learn how to make the best barbacoa meat! If you like beef barbacoa, you’ll love this Chipotle barbacoa recipe mimicked in the slow cooker—it’s easy, healthy, and delicious.

Prepare: 10 minute

chef: 4 Hour

All: 4 Hour 10 minute

Serving Size: 12 (Adjust the scale recipe)

Recipe Videos

Click on the image below to watch the video.

Like this video? Subscribe to my YouTube cooking channel Get healthy recipes every week! (Click the bell icon to be notified when I post a new video.)

raw material

Click on the underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn off Safari reader mode to view ingredients.

instruct

Tap the time in the instructions below to start the kitchen timer while cooking.

1. Combine broth, jalapeños in adobo sauce, garlic, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, dried oregano, cumin, sea salt, black pepper, and ground cloves blender (everything except beef and bay leaves). Blend until smooth.

2. Put beef cubes in slow cooker. Pour the puree mixture from the blender over it. Add (whole) bay leaves.

3. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours, until beef is tender.

4. Remove the bay leaves. Use two forks to shred the meat and stir into the juices.cover and rest 5-10 minutes Let the beef absorb more flavor. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Readers who liked this easy recipe also made:

recipe notes

Serving Size: 1/4 pound, or 1/12 of the entire recipe

nutrient content

Amount per serving. Serving Sizes in Recipe Instructions Above.

Calories 213

fat 13.2 grams

protein 22.1 grams

total carbohydrates 1.8 grams

net carbs 1.2g

fiber 0.6g

sugar 0.3 high

Nutrition Facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about the calculation or why you get different results?see our nutrition policy.

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please do not screenshot or copy/paste recipes to social media or websites. We want you to share the link with the photo. 🙂