This Instant Pot Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa beef tastes just like the traditional and it's even better knowing it's keto and low carb! Slow cooker method is also provided below!
What is Barbacoa Beef ?
Barbacoa beef is a traditional Mexican dish made from cow, goat or lamb and typically slow cooked with various spices, especially adobo chilis!
It has become quite popular if you've frequented a Chipotle restaurant and tried it. My homemade recipe is just as flavorful and delicious and made quicker in the Instant Pot, but just as tender and moist!
How to Make Barbacoa in the Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is one of the best ways to get that slow cooked and tender meat you're looking for in less than half the time it would typically take if slow cooked.
Pressure cooking today in the Instant pot is also a whole lot easier than the way I learned from my grandmother and mother using the old fashioned pressure cookers that jiggled and hissed the entire time they cooked!
You're also less likely to have an explosion with the new Instant Pots as what could have happened back in the day. As long as you follow the instructions in the recipe below, you will have a fool proof and fail proof tender succulent beef that you can enjoy in tortillas, or make a bowl with cauliflower rice!
Directions
Add the oil to the instant pot and press "saute" setting. Once heated, add the roast and brown on each side. While it's browning, make the sauce.
Add all remaining ingredients into a blender and blend on high until smooth. Once the meat is browned, pour sauce over it. Cover the instant pot and pressure cook on high for 60 minutes.
Allow to naturally release by turning off the pot. Leave alone and wait until the float valve has gone down which could take up to 30 minutes. Once depressurized, remove cover and shred meat with two forks.
Serve with my "For Real" Tortillas from my new cookbook, Naturally Keto or add it to a bowl with cauliflower rice and additional toppings like cheese, sour cream, avocado, salsa.
Low Carb Instant Pot Recipes
I love using my instant pot for various recipes when i really don't have the time to prep a meal in my slow cooker in the morning. Here are some other Instant Pot recipes you might like:
- Instant Pot Whole Chicken and Gravy
- Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Instant Pot Italian Sausage and Pepper Soup
"For Real" Paleo Keto Tortillas
Finally, a real tortilla that’s soft and pliable and won’t break apart when you fill it, and it’s not eggy tasting, either. I can’t tell you how many attempts it took to perfect these. It was at least fifteen—no kidding!
And not only are they like Real Tortillas, they are also DAIRY FREE and NUT FREE! The flavor is out of this world, not bland at all! This recipe is in my cookbook, Naturally Keto.
Naturally Keto Cookbook
Inside my keto cookbook you will find:
- Over 125+ low carb, ketogenic, high fat recipes
- 50 plus Dairy Free Recipes and many with Dairy Free-Options
- 75 Egg-Free Recipes
- Over 115 that are nut free!
- A beautiful photograph for EVERY SINGLE RECIPE!
- Nutritional information for every recipe
- Step-By-Step Instructions
- Recipes labeled Dairy free, Nut Free, Stove Top, 30 minutes or less
- Storage and prepping instructions
- A beginner's guide to keto
- Tips on dealing with a reluctant spouse
- Fool proof recipes for entertaining a non-keto crowd
- How to swap ingredients for allergies
- 4 week meal plans (including a dairy free week)!
Whether you’re just trying to remove sugar from your life, or just learning to eat low carb or even if you’ve been doing keto for a long time, Naturally Keto will bring you recipes that satisfy and inspire you, that even the novice cook can make with nothing too complicated or fancy or hard to find ingredients. This book provides you keto friendly family meals that everyone will love, even the picky ones.
How to Make Barbacoa in Slow Cooker
If you don't have an Instant Pot you can still make this tender barbacoa in your slow cooker.
Directions
Add the oil to a large skillet on the stove over medium high heat. Once heated, add the roast and brown on each side. While it's browning, make the sauce.
Add all remaining ingredients into a blender and blend on high until smooth. Once the meat is browned place it into your slow cooker. Pour sauce over it. Cover and cook on high for 4-6 or until tender and you are able to shred easily with a fork or low for 8-10 hours.
Keto Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef
Instant Pot Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa Beef (Keto, Low Carb)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Beef Chuck Roast cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil
- ⅔ cup beef bone broth
- 1 chipotle chili (puree)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Add the oil to the instant pot and press "saute" setting. Once heated, add the roast and brown on each side. While it's browning, make the sauce.
- Add all remaining ingredients into a blender and blend on high until smooth. Once the meat is browned, pour sauce over it. Cover the instant pot and pressure cook on high for 60 minutes.
- Allow to naturally release by turning off the pot. Leave alone and wait until the float valve has gone down which could take up to 30 minutes. Once depressurized, remove cover and shred meat with two forks.
- Serve with my "For Real" Tortillas from my new cookbook, Naturally Keto or add it to a bowl with cauliflower rice and additional toppings like cheese, sour cream, avocado, salsa.
- If you don't have an Instant Pot you can make this in the slow cooker. Instructions are above within the post.
Marisa
My fam loves Chipotle's barbacoa beef. Please share what you use for the "chipotle chili in adobo?"
Brenda
I just realized I never added the link to the one I purchased on Amazon, thanks for asking! https://amzn.to/3in9nMl
Janelle
Absolutely delicious! Stumbled upon sugarfree mom this past weekend and have made 3 of the recipes. All were outstanding! Tomorrow is her chicken chili and we can’t wait!
Lisa
This is a great one!! Ate it with a tortilla and then leftovers in a bowl without tortilla. Great flavor!
Evonne Hope Ang
Hi!
May I ask if it is possible to use a dutch oven to cook your Instant Pot Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa Beef (Keto, Low Carb)? And how long should I cook in Dutch oven?
Thanks
Evonne
Brenda
A Dutch oven is similar to a slow cooker so I would imagine low heat maybe 325 degrees F for 4-6 hours then check if its fork tender.
Naomi Ann Marks
First re ipe I tried in my new InstaPot. Heck kinda bought the instant pot to try the recipe. Do not regret. Served with the suggested tortillas, lettuce and avocados. Cheese and sour cream would do well for those choosing dairy.
Cass
Brenda, Your recipes always work! My husband and daughter need to be gluten free, and I need to be "keto," so I rely on your blog for wonderful recipes. I cannot tell you how many times I've made the Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse. It's amazing. First time, I didn't think it would work. But, it did, and it always does! Now I'm going to make this Barbacoa beef, but I don't have an Instant Pot. I'm going to try it in a slow cooker, and hope for the best. Thank you for your tireless pursuit of wonderful, healthy recipes, and your generosity in sharing them with the world. Bless you and your family, Cass
Brenda
Thank you so much!
Jenny
How did the Barbacoa Beef turn out using the crock pot? I don’t have an Instant Pot either. Thanks!
Judy
I made this tonight for my husband and myself. It was packed with rich flavors and delicious. Best of all it was easy and I did serve with organic riced cauliflower from Costco and a can of organic black beans from Trader Joes. I will make it again. I used a boneless lamb roast cut in chunks, it worked out just fine. Thanks again for a really great recipe. I have the instant pot mini , it worked very well..
Brenda
You were fast Judy, just posted it yesterday, so glad you liked it!