Spicy, seasoned beef cooked low and slow to tender perfection! Your favorite Mexican take out! You’ll love this amazingly easy copycat version of the famous Chipotle Barbacoa Beef Burrito so you can feed a large crowd and save 80% the price!
Chipotle is a definite guilty pleasure for me. I mean, since my freshman year in college (my high school years were dedicated to the deliciousness of Baja Fresh) it has been the go to place when friends wanted Mexican food in Washington DC and we were too poor to afford Guapos. You could go to Chipotle, have them make you a burrito (literally the size of your head) and make three meals out of one burrito! Extra bonus points if you could also make them use a second piece of foil to wrap it.
Then there was the sheer genius idea someone came up with to get people to make the quesorrito and make the burrito with a quesadilla wrapped around it instead of one tortilla. I could never do this one because I already get “calorie-anxious” about Chipotle and I know how many calories are in just a SINGLE tortilla. Doubling it up and adding more cheese to the middle is more than I can handle. And of course, my favorite hack, making the burrito bowl with the tortilla on the side. This has been proven to give you up to 40% MORE food than that size of your head burrito. Who needs 3 full meals when you can have 5!
But if you are reading this and you’re like, “Forget those lines, I want to make it myself!” then you are in the right place! I totally have your back! And, you can make way more servings and make this into a party! We’ve hosted a few Chipotle parties and they are always a hit. I buy gigantic tortillas, line up all the items and serve up lots of Corona beers with a bowl full of lemon and lime wedges. Want to come over and party with us? 😉 
In fact as I type this I can taste the flavors in my mouth even though I didn’t just eat this dish today. It is authentically special to Chipotle, just like In-N-Out is authentically special to them. So when something has a completely unique flavor, figuring it out and being able to enjoy it at home is a wonderful thing! Especially when the restaurant is so cool that they release a recipe for their authentic guacamole which is one of my favorite things ever.
What can I say? This recipe is the foundation of an AMAZING Chipotle Meal!
Here is how you layer it:
Tortilla (warmed)
Chipotle Cilantro-Lime Rice
Chipotle Jalapeno Lime Corn Salad
Black Beans
Chipotle Barbacoa Beef (You’re here!)
Sour Cream
Chipotle Guacamole (Authentic Recipe!)
Guapos Salsa (Authentic Recipe!)
This recipe is a joy to make and the foundation of an amazing party menu! Set out a table full of these items and you’ll see how the party instantly recenters itself around the table. Even better, cut up some small corn tortillas and fry them up. Add some lime juice and salt and bake at 350 degrees for 3 minutes for an authentic side dish.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Add the vinegar, lime juice, chipotles in adobo sauce, garlic, cumin, oregano, black pepper, salt, ground cloves, and process until small homogenous chunks occur. 
Trim your beef, add vegetable oil to a large dutch oven and heat on high. Sear the beef on all sides until deeply browned. Pour over the beef and spread on it evenly. Add chicken broth on the sides of the beef so you don’t make the topping fall off. 
I mean c’mon, how crispy, crusty and full of flavor does this beef look?! 
Chipotle Barbacoa Beef Burrito (Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic cloves
- 4 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 3 bay leaves
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 chipotle chiles in adobo
- 5 lbs chuck roast
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Add the vinegar, lime juice, chipotle, garlic, cumin, oregano, black pepper, salt, ground cloves, and process until small homogenous chunks occur.
- Trim your beef, add vegetable oil to a large dutch oven and heat on high.
- Sear the beef on all sides until deeply browned
- Pour over the beef and spread on it evenly.
- Add chicken broth on the sides of the beef so you don't make the topping fall off.
You can either cook in your slow cooker on low for 7 hours.
In the oven, you can cook at 325 degrees for 3-4 hours until fork tender.
Recipe Notes
Adapted from Food.com
Hi! I am cooking this in the oven in the Dutch oven. Do I cover it or leave uncovered? Thanks so much!
covered 🙂
So amazing! All of your recipes taste delicious. Thank you Sabrina.
You’re welcome, Sandy!
Thank you for sharing your recipes, techniques, and lessons. Whether you realize it or not, you are shaping an entire generation of Americans. We’re deciding to stay home more, cook healthier meals, and live longer lives. For far too long, restaurants have kept all of these techniques hidden and not shared how to make good-tasting & affordable food at home.
So, I thank people like you — also like Todd Wilbur, Kevin at Closet Cooking, and many more. You are making the Middle Class be able to keep going, because wages aren’t keeping up with prices — along with the student loan debt burden (like I have).
So, it is so appreciated what you do, even if you don’t have a TV Show yet … you will. Because I think you will be one of the standouts and Stars of this next generation of Chefs.
Thank you David!
This recipe looks amazing. I’m thinking of making ahead of time and taking camping. Any tips?
Also, do you use Mexican oregano?
This would be great to make ahead of time to take camping. I used regualr oregano but you can use whichever you’d like. 🙂 Have fun!
Loved it! Made the Barbacoa, the rice, the corn salsa. Used all the other ingredients. Made Burrito bowls, and tacos. AMAZING! and not difficult. Will be making again
My husband and daughter (she’s 12 years old) looooveees burritos and didn’t want to order take outs from chipotle but I’m so glad I found you and it taste just right at home ! Every now and then she would ask for burritos ! She never got tired of it! And the husband who is a police man cannot wait to come home for dinner for this ! Thank you!
Love seeing this! I know how hard it can be at times to please everyone with one dish so when it happens, I take it as a huge win!!!
Looks great but help!!! My text editor is not translating parts of the ingredient quantities. When viewing the recipe I see 1?3 cup apple cider vinegar, 1?2 teaspoon ground cloves, and 3?4 cup chicken broth. Should those all be fractions? 1/3, 1/2 an 3/4? Many thanks in advance!
Sorry! There have been some glitches in the recipe card system, I updated it so the quantities are corrected. 🙂
In my crock pot now. This is 3rd time making this using this recipe and I highly recommend it. People please give this a try. Your taste buds get lit up like a grand finale fireworks display on 4th of July!!!
It’s just as good if not better than Chipotles. Everything gets put in a food processor or blender, and poured over the browned meat. Then low and slow is how you cook it and BAM you’ve got a Barbacoa to die for. Be sure to make the rice, guac, white sweet corn, jack cheese, cilantro, green onions, sour cream and salsa. You will forget all about Chipotle and save your money!
Thanks, Kathy!
I wonder if you could make this in a electric pressure cooker? It looks so delicious!
Absolutely! 45 minutes to an hour I imagine, but would need to refer to some more notes if you want a solid time estimate.
THANK YOU I HAVE MADE THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES NOW, IT TASTE EXACTLY OR BETTER, THANKS SO MUCH GOD BLESS HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Fantastic!! I am so glad to hear it, thank you for coming back and letting me know. 🙂 Happy New Year!
You mentioned that you make this in large batches and freeze it. Would you mind sharing your process for this and how you thaw/reheat afterward? I am expecting a baby soon, so this would be awesome to make before she arrives so we can just heat it up! 🙂
Of course and CONGRATS! I did the same when I was pregnant! I pre-shred, add liquid and fill about 75% of the way a quart sized ziploc bag. Freeze in a flat stack of them so it is a thin rectangle. To defrost I usually put it in a warm glass bowl of water for about 10 minutes then tear the ziploc away. Empty the bowl of water, break the slightly melted beef apart and microwave on 50% power covered with a wet paper towel. If you prefer to not heat in the microwave. You can do the same defrosting in a bowl, then warm in a covered skillet on medium-low for 5-7 minutes. I keep the liquids in the bag with the meat to prevent freezer burn.
I am making this right now my house smells so good
I’m so happy to hear that! I hope it tastes as good as it smells!
This sounds lovely. Going to give this a go. thanks for sharing this recipe.
Simon
Wonderful! I hope you love it!
That looks so delicious! The Barbacoa Beef looks mouth watering. I can’t wait to try this.
Thanks!
My husband eat the burrito bowl with barbacoa in it from Chipotle every week. We actually thought the meat was pork–all we do know is it is yummy, and I am glad it can be replicated at home.
It will save you a fortune if you use this recipe!
Thank you for this – I’m OBSESSED with Chipotle, but the closest one is like thirty minutes away!
Yay! Now you can make it at home!
These photos are gorgeous! Absolutely mouthwatering. I will have to try this at home!
Thanks Mariel, that is so sweet 🙂
Wow, that really looks like a Chipotle burrito. Yum! I can’t imagine the money that could be saved by making this.
Yes! I make it in big batches and freeze it!
Whoa that is one awesome looking Chipotle copycat burrito!
Thanks!
Thanks for this recipe. i love Barbacoa beef.
My pleasure! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
My family would love it if i made this for dinner. I will have to give this recipe a try. I like trying something new.
I hope you love it!
What an Eye catching main photo! I was completely taken by that picture. Great use of ingredients.
Aww thanks!
Well hello delicious! This looks like something I need in my belly…now.
Haha! I love that!
Dare I say I’ve never tried anything from Chipotle? My adult kids eat there often but I’m hesitant to try it because I hear they’re not cheap.
No, they are not. Especially if it is a bigger group. But you can easily eat two meals from one burrito, haha.
Oh Hubby is such a great fan of Chiptle and he would love this. I just may have to surprise him with it one night. Thanks so much for sharing.
My pleasure! I hope you guys love it!
Oh wow, I need to mention that we can try making this to my boyfriend. We go to Chipotle literally 2-3 times a week lol.
This could save you a fortune!
Love how colorful this looks. Will definitely have to try this recipe.
Hope you love it Stacie!
I DO want to come over to your house for a party! I love build-your-own meals like this for a crowd! That way everyone gets what they want, and it’s always such a fun way to change things up. These look better than Chipotle’s!
Haha! You’re totally welcome to! I love these “bar” parties. Ice cream bars, taco bars, burrito bars. I think they are so much fun!
That looks so delicious and healthy too! I’m going to have to make these real soon. Hopefully my daughters will eat this too. I can’t wait to try it out.
Thanks! If you make it for kids I would suggest maybe half the adobo peppers 🙂 My toddler said “hot mommy” but totally hates any spice so take that with a grain of salt, haha.
Oh wow does this look delicious! I have not had a good beef burrito in a long time!
You’ll love it!
That is fantastic! I know what we’re having ALL weekend! Boom!
Mic drop kind of recipe, it is that good 😉
This recipe looks delicious! I love mexican food and Chipotle, especially burritos!! Thanks for posting!
My pleasure! Glad you like it!
Well, now I’m starving! I can’t wait to give this a try this weekend.
Hope you love it!
Wow – this looks delicious!! And who does not love Chipotle!?! This would be the perfect dish for an Sunday afternoon football party. Pinned!!
Awesome! Thanks for the pin!
This recipe rocks! It’s so perfect and fun to make this at home with my family.
Thanks Daisy!
I will confess I am drooling at the screen, Can I hire you to make my dinners please?! 😉 It looks delicious!
That is my actual job, haha. I am a personal chef in Sacramento. These are all my trade secrets 😉
Sounds tasty. I can’t wait to try this.