Chipotle’s barbacoa is one of their most popular protein options, but is their barbacoa worth trying? In this article, we’ll look at what exactly barbacoa is, how Chipotle makes their barbacoa, and how it compares to other proteins like carnitas. We’ll help you decide is Chipotle barbacoa good for you or if you’re better off ordering something else.
What is Barbacoa?
it is a Mexican dish of meat that has been slow-cooked over an open fire or in a oven using the indirect heat method.
Traditional mexican barbacoa is most commonly made from the meat of cows, sheep or goats. The meat is rubbed with a blend of spices and chiles and then wrapped to cook slowly for hours until very tender.
This cooking method allows the meat to become extremely tender while also infusing it with tons of flavor from the spices, chiles and fat.
Barbacoa is often eaten on tortillas, in tacos, burritos and other Mexican dishes. It can be shredded or chopped into pieces once fully cooked and tender.
The original styles of barbacoa meat were cooked in pits in the ground, but modern recipes have adapted to ovens and smokers to achieve the same end result – flavorful, super tender and juicy barbacoa.
What Is Chipotle barbacoa made of
The barbacoa at Chipotle is made from whole pieces of beef brisket that are rubbed with a blend of signature spices and chiles.
Chipotle’s special spice blend for barbacoa contains cumin, garlic, oregano, black pepper, cloves, and chipotle chiles.
The beef briskets are then tightly wrapped in banana leaves and cooked slowly at a low temperature overnight until extremely tender.
This long, slow cooking allows the meat to become fall-apart tender while also absorbing tons of flavor from the spices, chiles and its own fat and juices.
Once fully cooked, Chipotle workers shred the barbacoa brisket by hand before assembly into tacos, burritos bowls and other menu items.
The barbacoa is kept warm and juicy throughout the day via steam tables at each Chipotle restaurant. So while not exactly the same as traditional pit-style barbacoa, Chipotle’s oven-cooked barbacoa aims to mimic the same tender, flavorful end result.
Barbacoa vs Carnitas at Chipotle
Along with barbacoa, carnitas is one of the most popular proteins at Chipotle. So what’s the difference between the two and which one should you order?
Carnitas at Chipotle is made from pork shoulder. The pork is seasoned and then braised until extremely tender and juicy – essentially falling apart.
The textures of carnitas and barbacoa are similar – both tender and juicy from the long cooking times. In terms of flavor, since carnitas is pork it has a lighter taste compared to the spicier, bolder barbacoa brisket.
Carnitas has a more subtle flavor from the natural pork while barbacoa gains depth from its spices and chiles. Both meats are top choices but it comes down to preference.
If you like spicy, richer meats, go with the barbacoa. For a lighter, more subtle pork flavor, order the carnitas. You really can’t go wrong with either delicious protein.
Is Chipotle’s Barbacoa Good And Healthy?
Now to answer the key question – is Chipotle’s barbacoa worth ordering or should you skip it? Overall, feedback on their barbacoa is very positive.
Customers praise the tender, fall-apart texture of the shredded brisket. Its juicy, moist quality comes from the slow braise as well as the fat content of the brisket. And the flavor delivers a nice mild heat from the blend of spices and smoky chipotle peppers used to season the meat.
The barbacoa has a deeper, richer taste compared to lighter meats like carnitas or chicken. So if you enjoy well-spiced, robust flavors, the barbacoa does not disappoint.
That said, some feel the barbacoa can be a bit too shredded, bordering on mushy. Since it’s pre-shredded and kept warm throughout the day, the texture can lose some of its brisket-like chew.
So if you prefer meat with some bite to it, you may find the ultra-soft barbacoa too much. Also since Chipotle pre-seasons and cooks the brisket in their commissary kitchens, some find it lacks a true authentic, smoky barbacoa flavor. But overall, the consensus seems to be that Chipotle’s barbacoa is a tasty, bold protein choice.
The rich, spiced barbacoa pairs great with contrasting cool, creamy ingredients like guacamole or Chipotle’s chili corn salsa.
It brings a nice heat and heartiness to burrito bowls and tacos. And a barbacoa burrito or meat-filled quesadilla are very satisfying menu items.
So while it may not be the most authentic barbacoa, Chipotle’s shredded brisket still hits the right notes of spice, moisture and flavor. Its pre-shredded preparation sacrifices some texture but makes it easy to incorporate into any menu item.
Frequestly Asked Question
is chipotle barbacoa beef?
Yes, Chipotle’s barbacoa is made from beef. Specifically, they use whole briskets which they rub with a spice blend and slowly cook until tender. The barbacoa beef absorbs tons of flavor from the spices and ends up juicy and shredable after its long braise.
is barbacoa healthy for you?
Barbacoa can be a relatively healthy meat option. Since it’s slow-cooked, a lot of the fat renders out, leaving behind lean, tender meat. However, barbacoa is often high in sodium from seasonings, so it’s healthiest when enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet.
Is barbacoa healthier than chicken?
Barbacoa and chicken can both be healthy meat options. Chicken breast tends to be lower in fat and calories than beef barbacoa.
However, barbacoa has more iron and can be just as lean if brisket is used. Ultimately, barbacoa and chicken are comparable in terms of health, so the choice comes down to personal taste preference between the two.
Conclusion
Chipotle’s juicy, spiced barbacoa brings a bold, richer flavor compared to their other meats. While not the most authentic preparation, it still delivers tender, moist brisket full of smoky spice flavor.
Is Chipotle barbacoa good Reddit? Well, according to many discussions on the platform, it is often praised for its unique taste and tenderness.
The pre-shredding can border on mushy but makes it easy to add generous portions of barbacoa to any order.
When considering your choice at Chipotle, you might also want to think about the Chipotle barbacoa vs steak. The steak offers a different texture and flavor profile, with its grilled, savory notes
Overall, Chipotle’s barbacoa is a tasty choice if you enjoy well-spiced, robust flavors. It pairs nicely with contrasting cool salsas and guacamole.
If you prefer more texture, go for the steak or chicken. And for milder pork flavor, try the carnitas. But for tender, flavored meat that amps up burritos, bowls and tacos, Chipotle’s barbacoa is a good bet.
While maybe not the most authentic, Chipotle still manages to produce a juicy, flavorful and satisfying barbacoa that many customers love.
