Chipotle Barbacoa Recipe

This barbacoa beef is a perfect Chipotle copycat! The beef stays tender and flavourful. Make it in the Instant Pot, crockpot or stove top!

Who doesn’t love a Chipotle bowl for lunch? But because you can’t exactly afford to eat there everyday, you can make a big batch at home. And, when you use the Instant Pot or crockpot, you can just set it and forget it.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Super flavourful: The barbacoa is sooo yummy and full of flavour.
• Different serving options: Serve it as burrito bowls, enchiladas, tacos and more!
• No upcharge for guac: When you make your barbacoa at home, you don’t need to pay extra for guac. 😉

Ingredients and substitutions

• Olive oil – or another neutral oil like canola oil.
• Stewing beef – diced chuck roast or steak would also work.
• Garlic – freshly minced garlic is best but jarred minced garlic will work in a pinch.
• Chipotle pepper – try using chipotle powder instead.
• Adobo sauce – this will come with the can of chipotles, there’s no good substitute.
• Lime juice – fresh or bottled lime juice can both be used.
• Soy sauce – tamari or coconut aminos are the best substitutes here.
• Vinegar – use apple cider vinegar or double up on the lime juice.
• Chili powder – taco seasoning would also work.
• Ground cumin – add more chili powder instead or use taco seasoning.
• Onion powder – garlic powder would also be good.
• Paprika – use a pinch of cayenne instead.
• Beef broth – vegetable or chicken broth can work but will have a different flavour.
• Rice – serve it over white rice, brown rice or cauliflower rice.
• Toppings – salsa, guacamole, corn, lettuce, cheese, sour cream and cilantro would all be good.

How to make barbacoa beef

Step 1: Cook the beef.

Cook the barbacoa ingredients in the Instant Pot, crockpot or stove top.

Step 2: Make the rice.

Cook rice in a rice cooker or on the stove.

Step 3: Shred the beef.

Shred the beef once it’s finished cooking.

Step 4: Assemble your bowls.

Serve the beef over rice with all your toppings.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to cook the meat on the stovetop?

You can cook it on the stovetop over low heat for 3-4 hours until the beef is tender.

Can I make this recipe with chicken or pork instead?

You can definitely try! Just make sure to dice the meat beforehand. Cooking time should remain the same.

Can I use frozen meat?

Yes, but the meat needs to be defrosted first, especially if you’re cooking on the stovetop or crockpot.

How to serve this dish

There are so many ways you can serve barbacoa beef. It’s a super versatile dish and works with a variety of sides and add-ons. Try some of these:

• Tortilla chips and salsa or queso
• Cilantro lime rice or Mexican-style rice
• Black beans or refried beans
• Roasted corn, grilled veggies or a simple side salad
• Fully loaded: Turn them into loaded fries, loaded sweet potatoes or stuffed poblano peppers!

How to store and reheat

Make ahead: You can cook the beef up to 3 days in advance. Store it with the sauce to keep it juicy and flavourful.

Store: Store the leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat the rice and beef separately, add to your fresh bowls and dig in.

Freeze and reheat from frozen: Freeze the barbacoa for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat as usual.

Meal prep tools

• Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan to use the Instant Pot barbacoa beef in lunches for the week.
• Get some compostable takeout containers like the ones pictured in this post.
• I get all my grass-fed beef and free-range chicken from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.