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. ๐
Ingredients and substitutions
- Olive oil โ or another neutral oil like canola oil.
- Stewing beef โ diced chuck roast or steak would also work.
- Garlic โ freshly minced garlic is best but jarred minced garlic will work in a pinch.
- Chipotle pepper โ try using chipotle powder instead.
- Adobo sauce โ this will come with the can of chipotles, there’s no good substitute.
- Lime juice โ fresh or bottled lime juice can both be used.
- Soy sauce โ tamari or coconut aminos are the best substitutes here.
- Vinegar โ use apple cider vinegar or double up on the lime juice.
- Chili powder โ taco seasoning would also work.
- Ground cumin โ add more chili powder instead or use taco seasoning.
- Onion powder โ garlic powder would also be good.
- Paprika โ use a pinch of cayenne instead.
- Beef broth โ vegetable or chicken broth can work but will have a different flavour.
- Rice โ serve it over white rice, brown rice or cauliflower rice.
- Toppings โ 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.

Recipe tips & variations
Here are my top tips for making the best barbacoa:
- Sear the beef: Sear for a minute per side before cooking for added flavour.
- Adjust the spice: For less spice, use only half a chipotle pepper.
- Top it up: Add guac, cheese, lime crema, lettuce and refried beans.
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.
More Chipotle copycat recipes
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.

Chipotle Barbacoa Recipe
Ingredients
For barbacoa
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lbs stewing beef
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 chipotle pepper, minced
- 2 tbsp adobo sauce (from the can of chipotles)
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari if gluten-free
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp paprika
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
For bowls
- 1 cup Store bought pico de gallo
- 1 cup Store bought Guacamole
- 1 cup Corn
- 2 cups Lettuce
- 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
- sour cream to serve
- cilantro to serve
Rice
- 1.5 cups water
- 1 cup dry rice
- 1 tsp butter
Instructions
Instant Pot instructions
- Add all ingredients for barbacoa to Instant Pot in order that they are listed. Place lid on Instant Pot and make sure valve is set to seal. Press the pressure cook button and set to high, then cook for 20 minutes. Do a natural pressure release, then open lid when pressure gauge has dropped and lid opens easily (should take about 20 minutes). Shred beef and serve in juices.
Stovetop instructions
- Add all ingredients for barbacoa to a large pot on the stove in the order that they are listed. Bring to a boil, then place lid on pot. Lower heat to a simmer and cook for 1 hour, stirring every so often. Shred beef and serve in juices.
Crockpot instructions
- Add all ingredients for barbacoa to the slow cooker in the order that they are listed. Cook on high for 3 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours. Shred beef and serve in juices.
To assemble
- Meanwhile, add water, rice and butter to a rice cooker or pot on the stove and cook until liquid has absorbed. Assemble ingredients for bowls.
Comments & Reviews
Sharon V says
My family really enjoyed this recipe and I love how easy it is. I did it with a bottom blade and I cut out all the fat which made it inexpensive and tasty. In terms of cooking times, I found that 20 minutes at high plus natural release was perfect. The meat literally came apart. Thanks ๐
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed! ๐
Debbie says
I am planning on cooking this recipe in the Instant Pot with 4 pounds of Chuck Stew meat, do I need to increase the cooking time, or is 20 minutes with natural pressure release sufficient? I am still new to Instant pot cooking. What is the secret to really tender meat… cooking longer? or shorter?
THANK YOU!
Taylor Stinson says
I would recommend adding 20 minutes. In most cases, cooking longer results in more tender meat.
Bonnie says
This recipe was crazy delicious! Everyone in my family (8 kids!) devoured it and the adults had seconds. I also used the crock pot (fresh roast on high for 5 hours) and while it turned out great, next time Iโll leave out the peppers and spice until the end. I think cooking them so long made it extra spicy (I liked it but it was too hot for the kids). The crock pot meat also turned out a tad bit drier than I liked so I added a bit more beef broth at the end to neutralize the spice and make it juicier. Perfection!!
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed, Bonnie ๐
Kessa says
I love chipolte’s bowls!
Ted says
Followed recipe exactly, except I used 2 1/2 lbs. stew meat. And 3 minutes time. After the natural release meat was still tough. Another 3 minutes and NR it was perfect..
Karl says
I must have used the wrong beef or used too much beef but I followed this recipe and put it for 2 minutes and it turned out raw and would not shred.
Taylor Stinson says
I’m wondering if you used more beef than the recipe called for. I’m sorry you had trouble!
Larissa says
Simply amazing. I’m currently nursing my food coma with a paloma as we speak. You’re the best!
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed Larissa!! ๐
Victory says
Should it be cooked for 20 minutes i assume?
Taylor Stinson says
Hi Victory – you cook for 2 minutes on high pressure. The Instant Pot will take a few minutes to preheat so it does end up cooking for more than 2 minutes in the end, but you want to set your pressure cooker to cook for 2 minutes.
Melissa Beckley says
There were no leftovers! This recipe was SOOOO delicious, even my pickiest eaters devoured it! I love that it was quick and super easy to throw together too. This has been requested to be put into our regular rotation. ๐
Taylor Stinson says
That makes me so happy Melissa!!! ๐ Thanks for your review!
Anne Groom says
This recipe is terrific! I substitute garlic coconut aminos for the soy sauce to be gluten free/whole 30 friendly. And honestly, I double the recipe because it’s just that good! Thanks for bringing a super easy dish to our dinner staples!
Taylor Stinson says
So happy you enjoyed, Anne ๐
Tyiara says
This recipe is amazingly delicious! However I used my crock pot as I don’t have an instant pot and it turned out really good. Just turn it on the lowest setting and it cooks all day. (I put the meat in frozen and by the time I got home from work it was perfect, all I had to do was cook the rice and assemble.)
Taylor Stinson says
So happy you were able to do it in the crockpot Tyiara! ๐ Thanks for sharing!!