Barbacoa (Chipotle Copycat) Recipe
This Barbacoa recipe is a flavorful Chipotle copycat featuring tender, slow-cooked beef infused with smoky chipotle chiles, garlic, and spices. Perfect for tacos, burritos, or bowls, it delivers rich, deep flavors with a simple slow cooker method.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (slow cooker low) or 5 hours (slow cooker high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes (low) or 5 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Beef
- 3 lb Beef brisket or chuck roast (trimmed and cut into 2 inch chunks)
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup Beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 2 medium Chipotle chiles in adobo (including the sauce, about 4 tsp)
- 5 cloves Garlic (minced or coarsely chopped)
- 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp Lime juice
- 1 tbsp Dried oregano
- 2 tsp Cumin
- 2 tsp Sea salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 1/2 tsp Ground cloves (optional)
- 2 whole Bay leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: Combine the beef broth, chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, dried oregano, cumin, sea salt, black pepper, and ground cloves in a blender. Puree the mixture until it is smooth and well combined.
- Add beef and sauce to slow cooker: Place the beef chunks into the slow cooker. Pour the pureed sauce mixture over the beef, ensuring the meat is well covered. Add the whole bay leaves on top.
- Slow cook the beef: Cook the beef for 4-6 hours on high heat or 8-10 hours on low heat until the meat becomes fall-apart tender and easily shredded.
- Shred and rest: Once cooked, remove the bay leaves. Use two forks to shred the meat directly in the slow cooker, mixing it thoroughly with the cooking juices. Cover and let the shredded beef rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to fully soak in.
- Serve: Use a slotted spoon to serve the barbacoa, perfect for tacos, burritos, or bowls.
Notes
- Beef chuck roast or brisket is preferred for tenderness and flavor.
- Adjust chipotle chiles quantity based on desired spice level.
- Ground cloves are optional but add complex warmth.
- Resting the shredded beef helps it absorb more of the sauce’s flavors.
- This recipe works well in any slow cooker or crockpot.
Keywords: Barbacoa, Slow Cooker Beef, Chipotle Copycat, Mexican Beef, Slow Cooked Meat, Shredded Beef Taco Filling
Find it online: https://ellaeatsdaily.com/barbacoa-chipotle-copycat-recipe/
