Hey foodie! I’m so glad you’re here, you must love Chipotle’s steak as much as I do! Every time Chipotle comes out with a new steak flavor, I’m so excited to try it. However, every time I say to myself- “nothing beats the OG steak recipe.” And for that reason I’ve decided to do some research and recreate the best Chipotle steak recipe! Let’s get started!
What cut of steak is used in this recipe?
Chipotle has stated that their cuts of steak come from all over. This includes cuts of bottom round, top round, flat iron, sirloin, and many more. I however am not buying all of that!🤣 We’re going to be using good ole New York strip steak for this recipe! It has the all characteristics of Chipotle’s classic steak. It’s tender, juicy, slightly chewy, and holds flavor well. It really absorbs the smoky, spicy steak marinade listed below. The steak(s) needs to be one to one and a half inches thick and weigh about one and a half pounds total.
Marinating the steak
Chipotle also uses a marinade to make their steak so flavorful. Below, I’ll share with you the secret ingredients to developing those deep notes of spice and smokiness. The main ingredient is the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. These peppers are mildly seasoned and have a rich smoky flavor. The marinade also calls for fresh garlic and herbs because no Chipotle protein is complete without them. There is a bit of a pungent, acidic flavor to the meat so we will be adding tomato paste and lime juice. For the savory component we need sea salt. The steak is then marinated and cooked on the stove top!
Cooking process
Preheat your skillet over medium heat and once it’s sizzling hot, add oil and gently lay your steak in the pan. If you have more than one steak, cook them one at a time. For a medium cook- sear the meat about three minutes until a crust forms on the bottom. Then flip the meat and sear for another three minutes. If you have a meat thermometer stick it in the center of the meat and it should reach 140°F. Remove the steak from the pan and onto a cutting board and allow it to rest for at least five minutes. Finally cut the steak into bite-size squares and it’s ready to serve.
Pro tips!
- Marinate the steak overnight for best results. This gives the meat extra time to absorb the flavors of the marinade and become even juicier!
- Let your steak rest! I know you can’t wait to dig in, but trust me it’s worth the wait! When steak is being cooked the juices move to the surface. While it rests, the muscle fibers relax allowing the juices to flow throughout the entire steak. If it’s cut too soon, the juices will just flow out.
- Taste test your marinade before adding it to the steak. Make adjustments as needed.
- Invest in a meat thermometer! For the most accurate cooking temperatures you can’t go wrong with a thermometer.
| Steak doneness | Cooking time | Temperature |
| Rare | 1 1/2 min per side | 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Medium rare | 2 mins per side | 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Medium | 3 mins per side | 140-150 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Medium well | 4 mins per side | 150-155 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Well done | 5 mins per side | 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit |
Although using a meat thermometer is the most accurate, you can still make the perfect steak without one! Just follow the cooking times on the chart above.
Why I love this recipe
As a busy mom of 2, I’m always on the go and my kids love chipotle! Buying food for myself plus the kids really adds up. This is a definite money saver, as are all my copycat recipes which is one of the main reasons I love creating them lol! This recipe is authentic and delicious. I hope you love as much as we do! Sn: my 12 year old is super picky and brutally honest when it comes to food. Let me tell you- she loves this recipe! She even asks me to make this steak a few nights out the week!
Looking for more copycat recipes?
Check out some of my most popular copycat recipes!
Philadelphia Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Better Than Starbucks Cheese Danish
The Best Chipotle Steak Recipe!
Course: Lunch, dinner, Side dishCuisine: Mexican-AmericanDifficulty: Moderate4-6
servings20
minutes6
minutesThis truly is the best Chipotle steak recipe. This steak is slightly spicy with savory and smoky flavors to keep you coming back for more!
Ingredients
- Steak
1.5 lbs New York strip steak
- Marinade
1 small can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
2 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons olive oil + 2 tablespoons for cooking
4 cloves garlic, peeled
1 ounce water
- Special equipment
Small blender
Meat thermometer, optional
Directions
- To make the marinade, open a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and remove 2 whole peppers. Add them to a blender along with 1 tablespoon of the adobo sauce.
- Add the remaining marinade ingredients to the blender. Blend until smooth.
- In a large bowl pour the marinade over the steaks. Place the steaks in a large ziplock bag, if marinating overnight.
- Place a skillet on medium heat. Once it’s sizzling hot, add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the pan then gently place the steak. (Cook steaks one at a time if cooking more than one.)
- For a medium cook, sear the meat for about three minutes until a crust forms on the bottom. Then flip the meat and sear for another three minutes. If you have a meat thermometer stick it in the center of the meat and it should reach 140°F. Refer to the cooking temperatures above for your desired steak doneness.
- Place steak onto a cutting board and allow it to rest for at least five minutes. Finally, cut it into bite-size squares and it’s ready to serve!
Looks so delicious. I am making this for dinner!