Chipotle Barbacoa Recipe (Copycat)

chipotle peppers

🥗Healthier: smoked paprika

💰Cheaper: canned jalapeños

Smoked paprika provides a similar smoky flavor without the heat.

beef chuck roast

🥗Healthier: pork shoulder

💰Cheaper: beef brisket

Pork shoulder is often less expensive and has a similar texture.

Trim all visible fat from the chuck roast and cut into 8 chunks.

Sprinkle all sides of the beef chunks with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, reserving the remaining salt.

In a blender or food processor, combine the sauce ingredients (apple cider vinegar, garlic, ground cumin, oregano, black pepper, ground clove, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, chicken broth, and lime juice) and blend until smooth.

Warm a Dutch oven or heavy bottom pot over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.

Sear all sides of the beef chunks until nicely browned and crusted.

Transfer the seared beef to a slow cooker and pour the blended sauce over it. Add the bay leaves.

Set the slow cooker to high and cook for 5-6 hours (or 8 hours on low) covered.

After about 5 hours, shred the beef using two forks and taste, adding the remaining teaspoon of salt if needed. Stir to coat the beef in the sauce and cover to cook for 1 more hour.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: