Easy Copycat Chipotle Steak Bowl Recipe (Homemade Burrito Bowl)

Recreate Chipotle’s most popular steak bowl at home with this foolproof copycat recipe that delivers all the smoky, spicy flavors you crave. The secret lies in the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce that infuse the steak with incredible depth and smokiness. Combined with perfectly sautéed fajita vegetables, fluffy rice, and your favorite toppings, this homemade version rivals the restaurant original while saving you money and allowing complete customization of every component.

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What Makes a Chipotle Steak Bowl So Good?

The stars of this recipe are perfectly cooked steak and mashed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. The smokiness of the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and the marinated beef flavors work amazingly well with the sweetness of the onions and bell peppers.

Toppings like guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo bring everything together to make a fantastic Southwest-inspired meal.

Why You Should Try This Recipe

The magic happens in the marinade, where chipotle peppers in adobo sauce create layers of smoky heat that penetrate the steak. The combination of acid from lime juice and oil helps tenderize the meat while the spices build complex flavor. Cooking the steak at high heat creates beautiful caramelization while keeping the interior juicy. The fajita vegetables add sweetness and crunch that perfectly balance the rich, spicy steak.

Ingredients

For the Marinade

• Extra virgin olive oil – Carries flavors and helps tenderize the meat
• Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, mashed – Provides signature smoky heat and depth
• Fresh lime juice – Adds brightness and helps tenderize the steak
• Fresh garlic, minced – Contributes aromatic foundation
• Chili powder – Enhances the Mexican flavor profile
• Kosher salt – Seasons and helps break down proteins
• Smoked paprika – Adds additional smoky notes
• Garlic powder – Intensifies garlic flavor throughout

For the Steak

• Flank or skirt steak – Ideal cuts that absorb marinade well and cook quickly

For the Vegetables

• Olive oil – For sautéing vegetables to perfect tenderness
• Yellow onion, sliced – Provides sweetness and traditional fajita flavor
• Bell peppers, sliced into strips – Adds color, crunch, and natural sweetness
• Kosher salt – Enhances natural vegetable flavors

For the Bowl Assembly

• Cooked white rice – Traditional base that absorbs flavors beautifully
• Guacamole – Creamy richness that cools the spice
• Sour cream – Tangy coolness that balances heat
• Pico de gallo – Fresh brightness and texture contrast
• Fresh cilantro, chopped – An Aromatic herb that enhances Mexican flavors
• Jalapeño slices – Optional heat for spice lovers

Perhaps the most culturally appropriate type of rice to use in this recipe is white long-grain rice, but feel free to use your favorite variety instead. Cauliflower rice, shredded lettuce, or even quinoa would work well as a base for this dish.

How To Make a Chipotle Steak Burrito Bowl Recipe

To marinate the beef:

1. Combine all the ingredients for the marinade in a mixing bowl and whisk well until combined.

2. Trim the steak to remove any silver skin or excess fat.
3. Place the trimmed steak in the bowl or a plastic zip-top bag that can seal tightly.

Turn to coat the steak with the marinade or pour the marinade into the bag with the steak. Seal the bag and place it in a rimmed container in case of a leak. Put the steak in the fridge for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.

To cook the steak:

1. Remove the steak from the marinade and pat dry with a paper towel.
2. Place a large pan over medium-high heat until it gets hot.
3. Add olive oil to the pan and place the steak in the pan.

4. Cook the steak to your desired temperature, about four minutes per side for medium.
5. If you use an instant-read thermometer, remove the steak at 115°F for rare, 125°F for medium rare, 140°F for medium, and 160°F for well-done.

6. Let the meat rest before slicing it thinly against the grain.

To cook the vegetables:

1. Heat a pan over medium heat.
2. Add olive oil to the pan. Salt the vegetables lightly with Kosher salt.
3. Add the vegetables to the pan.

4. Cook until the onions and peppers are softened but still have some snap.

5. Place the tender steak strips on top of the vegetables. Remove the pan from the heat.

How to assemble the bowls:

1. Add the rice to the bottom of the serving bowl.
2. Lay the warm steak strips and vegetables on the rice and garnish with your choice of toppings.

What To Serve With The Burrito Bowl

Go wild with the toppings to customize the taste of the Chipotle steak burrito bowl. Besides making homemade guacamole, pico de gallo, and black beans, why not try sprinkling on some Mexican-style cheese or queso fresco?

You can also serve this steak bowl with chopped avocados, chopped red onions, corn salsa, or red salsa.

If you are looking for a rice base with a little more kick than plain white rice, try using Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice.

Recipe Variations

Try swapping out the steak for chicken or shrimp. You can marinate the chicken and shrimp in the same marinade; shorten the marinating time for the shrimp to about 45 minutes in the fridge.

How To Make a Chipotle Keto Bowl and How To Make a Chipotle WHOLE30 Bowl

You can easily modify this recipe to fit into diet plans like WHOLE30 and keto by eliminating most carbs and replacing the rice with cauliflower rice instead. For a WHOLE30 diet, you would also need to leave out the sour cream.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

• Component Storage: Store steak, vegetables, and rice separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days in the refrigerator
• Reheating Steak: Warm gently in skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes to avoid overcooking
• Reheating Vegetables: Microwave for 30-60 seconds or warm in a skillet until heated through
• Fresh Rice: Prepare rice fresh when possible for best texture and flavor

More Chipotle Copycat Recipes

• Chipotle Mexican Grill Barbacoa
• Chipotle Mexican Grill Carnitas
• Chipotle Mexican Grill Cilantro Lime Rice
• Chipotle Mexican Grill Guacamole

Favorite Mexican Recipes

• Chili Verde
• Crock Pot Carne Guisada
• Ground Beef Tacos
• Homemade Taco Sauce
• Mexican Cheese Dip
• Shredded Chicken Tacos
• Taco Bake with Tortillas
• Taco Bell Burrito
• Taco Bell Quesadilla

Check out more of my easy Mexican food recipes and fast food dinner ideas on CopyKat!