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This Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa tastes just like the original. It is so easy to make with the help of your slow cooker.
Today’s recipe is a copycat recipe for one of my favorite fast food places – Chipotle. I am not much of a fast food kind of girl  but when I am running around and need lunch now, Chipotle will always be my fast food of choice.  I must admit I don’t usually get the Barbacoa when I visit Chipotle because it is a little too spicy for me.  But, I decided to create my own, not quite so spicy version at home.  And you can make your version as spicy as you like by the number of chipotle peppers you  put in.
This recipe uses chuck roast or pot roast. I cut the roast into chunks and then browned those in a pan over medium high heat until the pieces are browned. They then get put into the slow cooker along with the rest of the ingredients and cook away for about 6 hours on high or 8-10 on low.
All that is left to do then is shred the meat up. I do so about an hour before I am going to serve it and then let it sit in the juices in the slow cooker for another hour to absorb more flavor.
You can use this meat all kinds of ways – in a taco, a burrito, a quesadilla, an enchilada or just it straight out of the slow cooker!Just be warned this dish does have some heat. I like just a little heat so I cut down on the peppers I put in so judge according to your desired level of heat!
For other yummy slow cooker recipes try these:
Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa
Ingredients
- 1/3 C apple cider vinegar
- 5 tsps garlic minced
- 4 tsp cumin
- 3 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 C chicken broth
- 3 Tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1-2 Chipotle Chilies in adobo for mild add 1 for moderate heat add 2 and for spicy hot add 3-4.
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 4-5 lb. chuck roast or pot roast
Instructions
- Mix together chililes, vinegar, lime, garlic, cumin, oregano, pepper, salt and cloves in blender and blend until smooth.
- Remove excess fat from meat.
- Cut into large chuncks. I cut my 4 lb. roast into about 6 pieces
- Add oil to heavy pan and heat.
- Brown meat over medium heat until browned all sides.
- Place meat in crockpot and add sauce
- Pour in chicken broth and stir to combine.
- Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 8-10
- Shred meat and allow to sit in juices for 30-60 minutes
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
I love Chipotle but I don’t love the salt! This looks delicious! Can’t wait to surprise my husband and try it out!
Leigh Anne says
Hope your husband and you both love it. My husband is on a low salt diet too so I like being able to control the salt content of my food also.
Crystal says
I love Chipotle!! Can’t wait to try this recipe!! Looks amazing!! Thanks 🙂
Leigh Anne says
Crystal, Let me know what you think after you try it. Would love to hear.
Liz says
Nice recipes. Thanks Leigh Anne.
Leigh Anne says
Thanks Liz – hope you’ll give it a try.
Thom says
This is an excellent recipe. I will add one thing. Deglaze the skillet with the chicken broth after browning after browning the meat.
There’s a lot of flavor going to waste there if you don’t!
Leigh Anne says
Thanks for the tip!
Tiffany says
I can’t wait to make this. We love Chipotle and I ususally get the chicken too but I know my husband would love this and I’m sure I will too.
Leigh Anne says
Tiffany, Hope you and your husband both enjoy it!