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This Chipotle Barbacoa Copycat recipe is one of the first that I experimented with in my Instant Pot. It has been a staple in our home ever since!
This magical cooking vessel does all of the work of 8 different kitchen gadgets in a fraction of the time. It easily takes the place of an electric pressure cooker, a sauté pan, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker and warmer.
As I experimented with various cuts of beef and seasonings, I was instantly addicted. The end result is meat that is fall-apart-tender in as little as 30 minutes.
What is barbacoa?
Traditionally, barbacoa is a shredded beef that may include some interesting parts like the tongue and head. I opted for a beef chuck roast instead.
The beef is slow cooked with many different aromatics including chipotle peppers, apple cider vinegar, ground cloves, bay leaves, and cinnamon.
I've also included instructions for a slow cooker and dutch oven in the recipe card.
Chipotle is delicious but pricey
To be completely honest, I love Chipotle's barbacoa. It's delicious. It has a great texture... and the flavor is always on point!
Unfortunately, it's a little pricey. With double barbacoa, sour cream, cheese, salsa, pico de gallo and guacamole, my bill inevitably comes out to almost $15.
The lack of rice and bean definitely contribute to this, but those aren't very Keto-friendly. You can also add romaine lettuce (free) in place of rice and beans, so keep that in mind.
I don't mean to brag, but I feel like my recipe might be better. One thing is for sure, I think this is as close to a Chipotle barbacoa copycat as you can get.
In addition to this recipe, I also have a full guide dedicated to eating out at Chipotle! Check it out for some easy on-the-go options.
Turn on your Instant Pot to 'saute' and wait for it to come up to temperature (make sure the lid isn't on).
Prepare the roast chuck by removing any large pieces of fat (optional, I don't like eating fat that is chewy) and then pat dry with paper towel or kitchen towel.
Season all sides of the meat with ½ tablespoon salt and ½ tablespoon pepper.
When the Instant Pot has come to temperature, add the bacon fat directly to the pot. Once melted, add the beef.
Sear the beef on all sides.
In a blender (or with an immersion blender), blend together: lime juice, apple cider vinegar, chipotle peppers, adobo, cumin, black pepper, salt, tomato paste, oregano, cinnamon, onion powder and ground cloves. Puree until smooth.
Once beef is browned all over, cover with puree.
Add bay leaves and broth.
Close the lid and set on on Manual > 50 minutes. Make sure that high pressure is selected.
After the time is finished, turn off the Instant Pot. I highly recommend doing a natural pressure release (NPR) by letting it come down in pressure itself. This usually takes around 20 minutes, but it always comes out so juicy and tender!
Shred, return meat back to liquid and serve.
Notes
If you do not have access to an Instant Pot, you can still make this recipe in a slow cooker or Dutch oven. Should you choose to go this route, just sear your meat on all sides, cover with blended sauce and cook on high for 6 hours or low for 8-12 hours.
Tried this recipe?Tag @nobunplease or #nobunplease on Instagram!
This Chipotle Barbacoa Copycat Recipe is great for get-togethers! I like to make mock burrito bowls using Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice or wrap it up in a low carb tortilla. For those with friends and family not following Keto, you could just as easily serve with flour tortillas.
Finally, this recipe serves as a great protein source for meal prep as well. I like to make a big batch, shred the meat, and portion into separate containers.
Have you tried my Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa recipe? Let me know what you thought in the comments!
Barbacoa at Chipotle is made from tender and moist seared beef that's been braised in an incredible blend of adobo, lime, cumin, garlic, and oregano. This slow-cooked masterpiece can be added to tacos, salads, bowls, and more! To see us make copycat Chipotle barbacoa from start to finish, watch the video in this post!
So are you eating cow's cheek at Chipotle? As it turns out, no. They're slow-cooking the shoulder cut of beef. But you can always make your own traditional barbacoa...just as soon as you find somewhere to dig a large pit.
According to Chipotle's menu, the restaurant's barbacoa consists of “responsibly raised beef” that's “braised for hours, then shredded”. Barbacoa is historically a method of cooking meat, with its origins in the Caribbean, so that it's tender and juicy.
What is in a Chipotle Barbacoa Burrito Bowl? Barbacoa burrito bowls are usually made up of rice, barbacoa beef, beans, and lots of toppings including lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and salsa.
Typical barbacoa seasonings include a combination of dried guajillo and ancho chile peppers. Guajillo chiles are mildly sweet and taste almost like dried fruit mixed with black tea. If you've ever had a cup of black currant tea, that's kind of what they taste like, but with a smoky, smoldering kick of heat to them.
Around here, all you need to know is that we use long-grain white rice. We have always been committed to preparing real food made with real ingredients. You know, the kind you can recognize and pronounce.
Barbacoa is a method of cooking meat (historically lamb or goat, though beef or pork is often used today) that produces tender and juicy results. It's traditionally steam-cooked underground, but modern barbacoa can be prepared over an open fire, on the stove, or in a slow cooker.
If you're looking for a healthy balance of fat, protein, and carbs, your best meat options would be plain grilled chicken, steak, or barbacoa. Between those options, they include no more than 7 grams (g) of fat, at least 21g of protein, and no more than 2g of carbs.
Their key flavor differences come from the type of meat they're made with, and the spices and seasonings Chipotle uses to jazz them up. Both types offer slowly braised and shredded meat, but carnitas are made from pork and a bit sweeter while barbacoa is made from beef and is spicier.
Simply go for a veggie bowl or salad, where guacamole comes free, and pair it with lean proteins like chicken or Sofritas. Don't forget to load up on fresh, crunchy veggies like fajita peppers, tomato salsa and crisp romaine lettuce. All in all, it's easy to see why it's one of the healthiest items at Chipotle.
What cheese does Chipotle use? In most of their dishes, Chipotle Mexican Grill uses a shredded blend of two kinds of cheese: White cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese. On their menu, the cheese blend is referred to as "shredded cheese," and it is used in burritos, tacos, and salads.
Rice bran oil is our primary cooking oil at Chipotle. Its high smoke point - the temperature at which the oil starts, well, smoking - makes it suitable for high-temperature cooking like grilling, while its mild taste makes it versatile.
Our steak, meanwhile, comes from all over: bottom rounds, top rounds, eye of rounds, inside round, outside round, sirloin, knuckle, ball tip, and sirloin top. You get the picture. Lots of rounds. These cuts hold up to the heat of the grill, giving each bite a nicely charred outside and a perfect medium-rare inside.
WHAT IS CARNE ASADA? This tender steak is hand-seasoned with our signature blend of spices, finished with fresh lime juice and cilantro, hand-sliced before serving, and grilled fresh every day in small batches. Our steak has high standards—in how it's raised, prepared, and served.
Chicken al Pastor is a craveable protein featuring bold flavors like adobo, morita peppers, and ground achiote with a splash of pineapple and fresh lime and cilantro. Fans can experience Chicken al Pastor with a $0 delivery fee offer* for a limited time.
What Is Barbacoa Sauce Made Of? For this recipe, barbacoa sauce is made of beef broth, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, yellow onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar, ground cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, lime juice, and allspice.
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