Instant Pot Chipotle Barbacoa Copycat

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Tender, juicy and delicious Instant Pot Chipotle Barbacoa Copycat – which can also be made in a slow cooker or dutch oven – tastes just like your favorite burrito shop! 

picture of barbacoa burritos wrapped in tin foil with a bowl of beans and rice in the background.
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Quick Instant Pot Chipotle Barbacoa Copycat

My high school was across the street from one of the first Chipotles – growing up in suburban Denver, Chipotle was just always THE place to go for burritos.

I’ve long been a Chipotle addict (the Fort Collins Chipotle used to see me so much in college, I wouldn’t even have to say my order- they knew exactly what I’d always get), and still am…. it is my one absolute favorite place to eat overall.

How to make Chipotle Copycat Barbacoa

First assemble the following ingredients:

  • Chuck roast – chuck roast is easy on your wallet and tastes delicious, see tips and tricks for other protein options.
  • High Heat oil – I like to use avocado oil for this recipe but you can use grapeseed or olive oil if you prefer.
  • Chipotles in Adobo – few things I love more than chipotles in Adobo, they are a flavor powerhouse.
  • Onion – onion adds a wonderful sweetness to this beef, make sure you cook them off.
  • Garlic – garlic has a strong aromatic flavor that compliments the beef and onion well.
  • Beef broth – beef broth helps enhance the flavor of the chuck roast.
  • Apple cider vinegar – vinegar add a nice zing and some acidity to the barbacoa sauce.
  • Lime juice – lime adds a wonderful acidity to this beef, you can substitute with lemon juice if you prefer.
  • Cumin, Oregano, Chili powder, Sea salt, Ground cloves – this mixture of spices is very common in Mexican food. The spice that makes this barbacoa is the cloves, measure carefully.
bowl of barbacoa beef, tortillas on the side and bowl of rice on the side,

Once you have the ingredients, use the following method

Blend the sauce. In a blender combine the chipotles in adobo, onion, garlic, beef broth, vinegar, lime juice, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and cloves. Blend until smooth and set aside.

In an Instant Pot. To make in an Instant pot heat the oil on “sauté” add the meat and brown it then add the sauce, set the valve to seal and cook on high pressure for 50 minutes.

In a Slow Cooker. Brown the meat in a heavy bottom pan in the oil until brown. Add to the slow cooker along with the sauce and cook on high for 6 hours until able to be shredded.

In a Dutch Oven. Heat the oil in the Dutch oven until hot then brown the meat. Add the sauce and top with the lid. Place the dutch oven on the center rack of the oven and bake at 300 degrees for 4-5 hours.

Assemble. Add the barbacoa to the tortillas and top with shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, and any other topping you like.

picture of barbacoa burritos wrapped in tin foil with a bowl of beans and rice in the background.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Chipotle Copycat Barbacoa

Add toppings. Don’t forget to add in all your favorite toppings to make your own Chipotle Burritos at home!

Use a different protein. If you prefer chicken to beef you can substitute chicken breast or thighs in an equal amount.

FAQs

Can I freeze leftovers?

After the meat is cooked you can freeze it for 3-4 months in an airtight ziplock bags. Don’t forget to mark what it is and the date you made it.

What can I use this for other than tacos?

One of my favorite ways to use this is as a topping for nachos. Set tortilla chips out on a plate or baking tray, top with some of this barbacoa meat then a heavy layer of cheese and melt in the oven or microwave. Yum!

Other amazing Instant Pot Meals

Try these other Instant Pot recipes next!

Click here to see other BBQ recipes!

picture of barbacoa burritos wrapped in tin foil with a bowl of beans and rice in the background.

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Instant Pot Chipotle Barbacoa Copycat Recipe

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picture of barbacoa burritos wrapped in tin foil with a bowl of beans and rice in the background.

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Instant pot Mexican burritos wrapped in foil with chipotle barbacoa, rice, and beans.
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Instant Pot Chipotle Barbacoa Copycat

Cuisine Mexican Inspired
Keyword barbacoa, chipotle beef, chipotle copycat recipe, instant pot, instant pot beef recipe, instant pot chipotle barbacoa copycat, mexican beef recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 752kcal
Author Courtney O’Dell

Ingredients

  • 6 to 8 lbs chuck roast boneless , trimmed of excess fat and cut into 2 inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon avocado or other high heat oil
  • 6 chipotles in adobo with sauce
  • 1 onion peeled and roughly chopped
  • 10 cloves garlic peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • cup apple cider vinegar I use bragg’s
  • ½ cup lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons cumin
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 6 Tortillas
  • Shredded cheese sour cream, salsa (optional toppings)

Instructions

  • In a large blender, add adobo, onion, garlic, beef broth, vinegar, lime juice, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and cloves.
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Set aside.

Pick one of the following methods:

  • INSTANT POT: In an instant pot, heat oil on high sauté and brown meat in small batches.
  • When meat is browned, add sauce from blender.
  • Set valve to seal and cook on high pressure for 50 minutes.
  • Force release, shred, and add to burritos!
  • SLOW COOKER: Brown meat in a heavy cast iron skillet in batches then add to slow cooker.
  • Add sauce to meat, cook on high for 6 hours.
  • When fork tender, shred and add to burritos.
  • DUTCH OVEN: Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
  • Add meat and brown, add the sauce and top with lid.
  • Bake for 4-5 hours, until beef is pull-apart tender.
  • Shred and add to burritos.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 752kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 8mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g

About Courtney

Courtney loves to share great wine, good food, and loves to explore far flung places- all while masting an everyday elegant and easy style at lifestyle blog Sweet C’s Designs. Sweet C's devoted to finding the best food and drinks you'll want to make or find, around the world!

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