Chipotle Steak (Copycat) (2024)

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This copycat Chipotle Steak recipe tastes even better than the real thing. The marinade is quick and easy and full of the smoky, spicy flavors you love!

Chipotle Steak (Copycat) (1)

Chipotle Steak has all the same flavors as Chipotle’s famous Chicken, but here it’s applied to your favorite inexpensive cut of steak like sirloin, round steak, or flat iron steak.

It’s a tasty way to add protein to your burritos, bowls, tostadas, and more. Or serve it like they do in Mexico: Tacos on corn tortillas with just grilled onions, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Table of Contents

  1. Recipe ingredients
  2. Ingredient notes
  3. Step-by-step instructions
  4. Recipe tips and variations
  5. Recipe FAQs
  6. Chipotle Steak (Copycat) Recipe

Recipe ingredients

Chipotle Steak (Copycat) (2)

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient notes

  • Adobo sauce:To make your own adobo sauce, whisk together 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 tablespoon cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon chipotle powder (or ½ teaspoon EACH smoked paprika and cayenne powder), ½ teaspoon ground cumin, and a pinch EACH of oregano, garlic powder, and salt.
  • Ancho chile powder:You canbuy ancho chile powder onlineorbuy dried ancho chilesand grind them tomake your own ancho chile powderor soak them and add straight to the marinade (Culinary Hill may earn money if you buy through these links).
  • Olive oil:Chipotle uses rice bran oil, but olive oil is more widely available (and probably already in your pantry).
  • Oregano:Chipotle uses Mexican oregano, but you can use Italian oregano if that’s all that you have. They have different flavors (Mexican oregano tastes more like marjoram) but both taste great in this recipe.
  • Steak: According to Chipotle’s customer service, the “beef” in their steak could be any number of cuts including part of the loin, ball tip, round steak, flat iron steak, top butt, clod, or knuckle.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. To make the marinade, in the bowl of a food processor or blender, add garlic, adobo sauce, ancho chile powder, olive oil, cumin, dried oregano, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Blend until smooth (add water if needed to fully blend the marinade).
Chipotle Steak (Copycat) (3)
  1. In a large zipper-top plastic bag or bowl, add steak and marinade, tossing to coat. Let the beef marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or up to 12 hours in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
Chipotle Steak (Copycat) (4)
  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil until shimmering. Add marinated steak to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the temperature reaches 120 to 125 degrees F for rare or 130 to 135 degrees F for medium-rare. Depending on the size of your skillet, you can cook the steak in batches.
Chipotle Steak (Copycat) (5)
  1. Remove to a cutting board and tent with foil for 10 minutes. Chop into small pieces.
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  1. Season to taste with salt. Serve with your favorite burrito toppings such as rice, beans, guacamole, and salsa.
Chipotle Steak (Copycat) (7)

Recipe tips and variations

  • Yield:This recipe makes 20 generous servings, about 1/2-cup each.
  • Storage:Store leftovers covered for up to 4 days.
  • Make ahead: The steak can be marinated the day before you need it. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
  • To substitute dried ancho chiles:
    1. Remove stems and seeds from dried chiles (wearing gloves is recommended).
    2. In a dry skillet over medium-low heat, toast the chiles until fragrant but not smoking, about 5 minutes.
    3. Transfer to a medium bowl and add 4 cups (1 quart) water and 2 Tablespoons adobo sauce. Microwave on HIGH for 6 minutes. Drain well, then add the chiles to the food processor in step 1.
  • Chipotle Burrito Bowls: Make your own copycat burrito bowls, tacos, and salads at home with my full collection of Chipotle Copycat Recipes:
    • Proteins: Chipotle Chicken, Chipotle Barbacoa, Chipotle Carnitas, Chipotle Sofritas
    • Sides:Chipotle Cilantro-Lime Rice, Chipotle Black Beans, Chipotle Pinto Beans, Chipotle Fajita Veggies
    • Sauces: Chipotle Guacamole, Chipotle Tomato Salsa, Chipotle Corn Salsa, Chipote Tomatillo Salsa, Chipotle Hot Salsa, Chipotle-Honey Vinaigrette
Chipotle Steak (Copycat) (8)

Recipe FAQs

What can I do with leftover chipotle chilis and adobo sauce?

Transfer to a bag or glass jar and freeze for future use, or 1-2 tablespoons with ½ cup mayo for a delicious Chipotle Mayonnaise. Or, use inChipotle Chicken,Chicken Tinga, orVegetarian Stuffed Peppers.

What is a substitute for adobo sauce?

To make your own adobo sauce, whisk together 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 tablespoon cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon chipotle powder (or ½ teaspoon EACH smoked paprika and cayenne powder), ½ teaspoon ground cumin, and a pinch EACH of oregano, garlic powder, and salt.

What is the best doneness temperature for steak?

I swear by myinstant-read meat thermometer, and follow these temperature guidelines for any beef preparation:
Rare:120 to 125 degrees F
Medium Rare:130 to 135 degrees F
Medium:140 to 145 degrees F
Medium Well:150 degrees F
Well:160 degrees F
While many chefs (and I) prefer a slightly lower temperature for juicer, more tender beef, theUSDAhas a more conservative minimum safe cooking temperature of 145 degrees F. Cook to your desired doneness level.

Chipotle Burrito Bowl

Tonight, stay in and build your own Chipotle Burrito Bowl with the copycat recipes you know and love. Fluffy rice, black beans, tender chicken, sweet corn salsa, tomato salsa, and lots of guacamole. It’s great…

View Recipe

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Chipotle Guacamole (Copycat)

Chipotle Copycat Recipes

Chipotle Corn Salsa (Copycat)

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Chipotle Steak (Copycat) (14)

Chipotle Steak (Copycat)

By Meggan Hill

This copycat Chipotle Steak recipe tastes even better than the real thing. The marinade is quick and easy and full of the smoky, spicy flavors you love!

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings 20 servings (about ½ cup each)

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Calories 210

4.99 from 282 votes

ReviewPrint

Equipment

Ingredients

For the steak:

Instructions

  • To make the marinade, in the bowl of a food processor or blender, add garlic, adobo sauce, ancho chile powder, olive oil, cumin, dried oregano, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Blend until smooth (add water if needed to fully blend the marinade).

  • In a large zipper-top plastic bag or bowl, add steak and marinade, tossing to coat. Let the beef marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or up to 12 hours in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil until shimmering. Add marinated steak to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the temperature reaches 120 to 125 degrees F for rare or 130 to 135 degrees F for medium-rare. Depending on the size of your skillet, you can cook the steak in batches.

  • Remove to a cutting board and tent with foil for 10 minutes. Chop into small pieces. Season to taste with salt. Serve with your favorite burrito toppings such as rice, beans, guacamole, and salsa.

Recipe Video

Notes

  1. Adobo sauce:To make your own adobo sauce, whisk together 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 tablespoon cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon chipotle powder (or ½ teaspoon EACH smoked paprika and cayenne powder), ½ teaspoon ground cumin, and a pinch EACH of oregano, garlic powder, and salt.
  2. Ancho chile powder:You canbuy ancho chile powder onlineorbuy dried ancho chilesand grind them tomake your own ancho chile powderor soak them and add straight to the marinade (Culinary Hill may earn money if you buy through these links).
  3. Olive oil:Chipotle uses rice bran oil, but olive oil is more widely available (and probably already in your pantry).
  4. Oregano:Chipotle uses Mexican oregano, but you can use Italian oregano if that’s all that you have. They have different flavors (Mexican oregano tastes more like marjoram) but both taste great in this recipe.
  5. Steak: According to Chipotle’s customer service, the “beef” in their steak could be any number of cuts including part of the loin, ball tip, round steak, flat iron steak, top butt, clod, or knuckle.
  6. Yield:This recipe makes 20 generous 1/2-cup servings.
  7. Storage:Store leftovers covered for up to 4 days.
  8. Make ahead: The steak can be marinated the day before you need it. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 18gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 370mgPotassium: 270mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 261IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill

Meggan Hill

Website | + posts

Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

Chipotle Steak (Copycat) (2024)

FAQs

What kind of steak does Chipotle use for their steak? ›

In contrast, Chipotle's standard steak mainly uses round, a leaner and more economical cut, but it also includes portions of skirt and sirloin. Due to the use of some tougher meat pieces in this blend, the steak is then gently prepared using the sous vide cooking technique over low heat.

What part of the cow is Chipotle steak? ›

Our steak, meanwhile, comes from all over: bottom rounds, top rounds, eye of rounds, inside round, outside round, sirloin, knuckle, ball tip, and sirloin top. You get the picture. Lots of rounds.

What does Chipotle cook their meat in? ›

Rice bran oil is our primary cooking oil at Chipotle. Its high smoke point - the temperature at which the oil starts, well, smoking - makes it suitable for high-temperature cooking like grilling, while its mild taste makes it versatile.

What is Chipotle carne asada made of? ›

WHAT IS CARNE ASADA? This tender steak is hand-seasoned with our signature blend of spices, finished with fresh lime juice and cilantro, hand-sliced before serving, and grilled fresh every day in small batches. Our steak has high standards—in how it's raised, prepared, and served.

Why does Chipotle steak taste different? ›

While the seasoning is the most obvious difference between Chipotle's carne asada and steak, there's actually something else that sets the two options apart: the cut of beef used. Carne asada is traditionally made with skirt steak, however, it's clear that the Chipotle version uses a different cut.

Is Chipotle steak 100% grass fed? ›

Food Renegade acknowledged restaurant chain Chipotle's commitment to sourcing 100 percent of its beef from grass-fed cows, most of which are raised in Australia. The organization's reasoning behind this decision is that not enough farmers based in the U.S. follow a truly organic protocol.

What is the fake meat at Chipotle called? ›

Chipotle is a trailblazer when it comes to plant-based proteins and added its first vegan option, Sofritas, to its menu in 2014. Made from organic tofu that is spiced with poblano pepper, cumin, and chipotle chiles, by 2018, Sofritas became a popular mainstay at Chipotle, selling 7.5 million pounds that year alone.

What grade is Chipotle steak? ›

Chipotle has earned “A” grades in each of the three years the study has been conducted. “We began serving meat from animals raised without antibiotics in 1999 and continue to be a leader in this area today,” said Steve Ells , founder, chairman and CEO at Chipotle.

What meat is barbacoa? ›

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.

Is Chipotle steak quality? ›

For those who love a hearty and savory option, steak is the way to go. Chipotle's steak is seasoned with a signature spice blend and grilled to perfection. It's a great choice for meat lovers who want a rich and flavorful protein option for their meal.

Is Chipotle steak healthy? ›

The steak at Chipotle is a lean cut, so you don't have to feel guilty if you find yourself with a sudden hankering for red meat, and we all know that chicken is a healthy choice. The chain is also a great place to avoid meat altogether, as there are plenty of vegan and vegetarian choices on the menu.

What kind of cheese does Chipotle use? ›

The shredded white cheese that Chipotle uses is commonly known as Monterey Jack. It is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk that melts well when exposed to heat. Chipotle's Monterey Jack cheese is used to make quesadillas and queso dip, and it's happily added to any menu item when asked.

What cut of steak does Chipotle use? ›

Instead of using a particular cut for its steak as it does with its carne asada, Chipotle sources its steak from many different cuts of beef. These include the inside round, the outside round, the bottom and top rounds, and the eye of round, as well as sirloin, sirloin top, ball tip, and knuckle.

Is there garlic in Chipotle carne asada? ›

The marinade ingredients are fresh orange and lime juice, chipotle peppers, onion, garlic, and spices. The longest part is waiting for the steak to marinate, but the results it worth it.

Does Chipotle use quality meat? ›

Chipotle believes in Food with Integrity, which means animals should be raised responsibly, humanely without sub-therapeutic antibiotics, and with care in accordance with Chipotle's award-winning animal welfare standards.

Is steak from Chipotle healthy? ›

The steak at Chipotle is a lean cut, so you don't have to feel guilty if you find yourself with a sudden hankering for red meat, and we all know that chicken is a healthy choice. The chain is also a great place to avoid meat altogether, as there are plenty of vegan and vegetarian choices on the menu.

What kind of meat is carne asada? ›

Carne asada is typically made with skirt steak, but I wanted to test out a variety of inexpensive cuts to be sure. I bought a half dozen different cuts of beef and marinated them in a basic mixture of lime juice, garlic, cilantro, olive oil, and chiles before grilling them to medium-rare over hot coals.

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