Chipotle Barbacoa Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Chipotle barbacoa made of? ›

Round and round we go When it comes to beef, it's not just the quality that matters - it's the cut, too. Our Barbacoa mainly comes from the shoulder, because those cuts have enough fat to keep the meat moist during our long braising method, making the end result seriously juicy and tender.

The barbacoa at Chipotle is made with beef.

Barbacoa is a slow-cooked beef dish that is marinated in a blend of spices and chili peppers and braised for many hours. The end result of the long, slow cooking process is flavorful, juicy meat that is savory and spicy, with a tender texture that is easily shreddable.

Their key flavor differences come from the type of meat they're made with, and the spices and seasonings Chipotle uses to jazz them up. Both types offer slowly braised and shredded meat, but carnitas are made from pork and a bit sweeter while barbacoa is made from beef and is spicier.

What Is Barbacoa Sauce Made Of? For this recipe, barbacoa sauce is made of beef broth, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, yellow onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar, ground cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, lime juice, and allspice.

Among the meats you can choose for your burrito bowl or tacos, however, one protein stands out from the rest as a fan-favorite option: Chipotle's barbacoa. Barbacoa generally refers to any slow-roasted, barbecued meat. But the barbacoa at Chipotle is specifically beef, and it packs flavors that fans rave about.

If you're looking for a healthy balance of fat, protein, and carbs, your best meat options would be plain grilled chicken, steak, or barbacoa. Between those options, they include no more than 7 grams (g) of fat, at least 21g of protein, and no more than 2g of carbs.

"Add your choice of meat, preferably chicken or steak, as these are the leanest options. Top with more lettuce, salsa, and guacamole," she suggests. The result: a tasty yet healthy Chipotle bowl that checks off all your dietary requirements.

PROTEIN. When choosing a protein source you have the option to choose from meats or tofu. the chicken, steak, barbacoa, and carnitas pack between 170-190 calories and 24-32 grams of protein. Chicken and steak rank similar in the amount of nutrients and have the highest amount of protein.

Why Is Barbacoa So Greasy? Barbacoa comes from beef cheek or cow head. This part of the body is already a fatty cut and with fat melting from the slow-cooking process, this can make barbacoa so greasy.

Barbacoa at Chipotle is made from tender and moist seared beef that's been braised in an incredible blend of adobo, lime, cumin, garlic, and oregano. This slow-cooked masterpiece can be added to tacos, salads, bowls, and more! To see us make copycat Chipotle barbacoa from start to finish, watch the video in this post!

What part of the cow is barbacoa? ›

“Barbacoa, made from the meat of a cow's head, is cheap yet rich in flavor.” Customarily served at weekend breakfasts, the cheek, or cachete, is loaded with collagen, and slow-roasting enhances its savory flavor and silky texture.

To make our Carnitas, we season the pork with an aromatic spice blend, then braise and shred it by hand. The result? Meat that's fall-apart-in-your-burrito tender.

This Mexican-style seasoning is made with chipotle peppers, cumin, cloves and garlic. Use it to marinade meats before slow cooking until melt-in-the-mouth tender, then serve in tacos or over rice.

In the US, people typically make barbacoa with chuck roast, brisket and beef cheeks. However, any cut of beef that has a lot of connective tissue and takes a long time to cook until tender works well.

Historically, birria was the regional name given in the state of Jalisco and surrounding areas to what is known as barbacoa, meats cooked or roasted in a pit or earth oven, in other regions of Mexico. For many people today, mostly in the United States, birria is now a distinct dish.

Barbacoa is typically made out of tougher cuts of meat that require long, slow cooking times. When done traditionally, barbacoa is made with large cuts of meat or whole animals. In the United States, barbacoa is usually associated with beef. However, in Mexico, barbacoa is made from beef, goat, lamb or mutton.

In addition to its delicious flavor, barbacoa is also a great source of nutrients. The slow cooking process helps to retain the meat's natural juices, which makes it moist and flavorful. The spices used to season the meat also have health benefits, such as helping to reduce inflammation and improve digestion.

Chipotle's website states that their barbacoa is marinated beef shoulder that is cooked three times to make it really succulent. They state, “First, we cook it sous vide, which locks in moisture by heating the beef at a precise, low temperature for a looong time.