Copycat Chipotle Steak Recipe (2024)

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This copycat Chipotle steak recipe is juicy marinated steak with all the bold, spicy, smoky flavor you love. Add this tender chipotle beef to bowls, tacos, burritos, and more!

If you’re craving beef, check out my other delicious steak recipes like the Carne Asada Tacos, Hanger Steak With Aleppo Chili Oil, and Chimichurri Steak.

Copycat Chipotle Steak Recipe (1)

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Skip the line at Chipotle and make this steak recipe at home instead. This grilled beef is just as tasty as the real thing thanks to a chipotle pepper adobo-based marinade.

This recipe uses the same seasoning as my Chipotle Chicken recipe but instead of juicy chicken thighs, we have tender beef. You’ll want to add this choice protein to everything!

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Why This Chipotle Steak Recipe Works

  • More Bang for Your Buck – Save your $10 and put it towards an affordable cut of steak. You’ll get double the meat with all of the flavor making this restaurant fave at home.
  • Incredibly Versatile – There so many ways to serve Chipotle steak. Add it to rice bowls, salads, burritos, tacos, tortas, fries, and more.
  • Super Flavorful – This recipe has rich depth due to the succulent succulent nature of grass-fed sirloin steak. It’s infused with a zesty chipotle marinade, so each bite packs a smoky, spicy, savory punch.
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What kind of steak does chipotle use?

The fast food chain uses various cuts of round steak for their popular protein option. Round cuts withstand heat well and are cooked to medium-rare.

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Ingredients You Will Need for Chipotle Steak

Here is a breakdown of what you will need to make this Chipotle steak recipe. For actual measurements, see the recipe card at the end of this post.

  • Grass-fed sirloin steak –Sirloin has a robust, beefy flavor and its moderate marbling ensures each bite is perfectly juicy. With a good marinade, it absorbs flavors well for a tender, satisfying cut of beef. I prefer to use two large pieces for this recipe. You can also use flank steak or skirt steak if you prefer.
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Chipotle Steak Marinade

  • Yellow onion – The natural sweetness complements the smokiness of the chipotle peppers.
  • Garlic cloves – This gives the marinade a savory, aromatic quality.
  • Avocado oil – This oil has a mild, buttery taste and a high smoke point that’s perfect for grilling.
  • Adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers – Adobo sauce is tangy with a subtle sweetness made from vinegar, spices, and dried chili peppers. The chipotle peppers add a bold spicy, smoky flavor.
  • Ancho chili pepper – This dried poblano pepper packs a mild heat and slightly sweet, fruity undertones. It adds an earthy depth to the seasoning.
  • Seasoning – To season the meat, I always use Diamond Crystal kosher salt. Add ground cumin, dried oregano, and coarsely ground black pepper to further enhance the taste.
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How To Make Chipotle Steak

Below is a summary of how to make copycat Chipotle steak. For a complete and detailed list of steps, see the recipe card at the end of this post.

  1. Make the marinade.Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

Place steak in a resealable plastic bag or mixing bowl and pour marinade over the meat. Mix until steak is completely coated. Marinate overnight or at least 5 hours.

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One hour before grilling meat, remove from the refrigerator and set on the countertop to come to temperature.

2. Grill steak.Preheat outdoor grill on high heat (or grill pan) on high heat. Brush grill (or grill pan) with oil and add steak once surface is hot.

3. Rest, chop, and serve.Once steak is cooked to desired doneness, place on a platter finish with kosher salt, and cover with foil. Leave for 5 minutes to rest.

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Chipotle Steak Internal Temperatures

For grilling steak, the most reliable guide for cooking is the internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to cook this Chipotle steak recipe to your desired doneness.

Then slice and chop against the grain into small cubed pieces. Serve with tortillas, rice or salad bowls.

  • Rare–120-130°F internally
  • Medium-Rare–130-135°F internally
  • Medium–135-145°F internally
  • Medium-Well–145-155°F internally
  • Well-Done–155-165°F internally
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Copycat Chipotle Steak Recipe (12)

Tips and Tricks

  • Do not skip the marinade. It’s the main source of flavor for this Chipotle steak recipe. It also helps to tenderize the sirloin so give it at least 5 hours.
  • Remember to preheat the grill. This ensures that the surface is hot enough to sear the steak, locking in juices and creating a delicious crust.
  • Let the steak rest. It should rest under foil for at least 5 minutes so the juices have time to redistribute.
  • Slice against the grain. This breaks up the muscle fibers, for a more tender bite.
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Storage

Once the steak has cooled to room temperature, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Chipotle steak spicy?

Chipotle steak is prepared with chipotle chili peppers, a dried and smoked jalapeño that measures 2,500-10,000Scoville Heat Units(SHU) for a medium heat.

What are the ingredients in the steak at Chipotle?

The original Chipotle steak recipe includes beef, black pepper, chipotle chili, cumin, garlic, oregano, rice bran oil, salt, and water (for the sous vide process).

How is chipotle steak so tender?

Chipotle tenderizes their steak by cooking it sous vide. The steak is vacuum-sealed in a bag and cooked in a water bath at a consistent temperature to lock in moisture. Then it’s marinated overnight.

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Looking for More Copycat Recipes?

  • Copycat Chipotle Chicken
  • DIY Chipotle Steak Bowl
  • Hailey Bieber Smoothie – Strawberry Glaze
  • Animal-Style Fries (In-N-Out Copycat)
  • Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells (Olive Garden Copycat)
  • Kale and White Bean Salad | Erewhon Copycat
  • Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew (Starbucks Copycat)

Loving this Chipotle Steak Recipe?

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Copycat Chipotle Steak Recipe

This copycat Chipotle steak recipe is juicy marinated steak with all the bold, spicy, smoky flavor you love. Add this tender chipotle beef to bowls, tacos, burritos, and more!

Servings 3 people

Author Jeri Mobley-Arias

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American, Mexican

Equipment

  • Outdoor Grill

  • Mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • pounds grass-fed sirloin steak, preferably two large pieces

Marinade

  • medium yellow onion
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers
  • 1 tablespoon ancho chili pepper
  • teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for finishing, Diamond Crystal
  • teaspoons ground cumin
  • teaspoons oregano, dried
  • ½ teaspoons black pepper, coarsely ground

Instructions

  • Make the marinade.Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Place steak in a resealable plastic bag or mixing bowl and pour marinade over the meat. Mix until steak is completely coated.

    Marinate overnight or at least 5 hours. One hour before grilling meat, remove from the refrigerator and set on the countertop to come to temperature.

  • Grill steak. Preheat outdoor grill on high heat (or grill pan) on high heat. Brush grill (or grill pan) with oil and add steak once surface is hot.

  • Rest, chop, and serve. Once steak is cooked to desired doneness, place on a platter finish with kosher salt, and cover with foil. Leave for 5 minutes to rest, then slice and chop against the grain into small cubed pieces. Serve with tortillas, rice or salad bowls.

Keywords chipotle beef, Chipotle steak marinade, Chipotle steak recipe, Copycat chipotle steak, how to make chipotle steak, How to make chipotle steak recipe, Recipe for chipotle steak, what kind of steak does chipotle use

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Copycat Chipotle Steak Recipe (2024)

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