I love making this Crockpot Chipotle Pineapple Pot Roast Bowl when I want bold, smoky-sweet flavors with almost no hands-on effort. The beef slow cooks until it’s fall-apart tender, soaking up a rich chipotle and pineapple sauce that balances heat and sweetness beautifully. For me, it’s the perfect hearty bowl meal that feels exciting and comforting at the same time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how the slow cooker does most of the work. I simply layer everything in and let the flavors develop over several hours. The chipotle adds a smoky kick while the pineapple brings natural sweetness that keeps the dish balanced.
I also appreciate how versatile this bowl is. I can serve the shredded beef over rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice. It’s ideal for meal prep because the flavors deepen even more the next day.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
2 1/2 to 3 lbs beef chuck roast
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, with a little juice)
1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from the can)
1/2 cup beef broth
1 small red onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lime
For serving:
Cooked rice or quinoa
Sliced avocado
Fresh cilantro
Extra pineapple or lime wedges
Directions
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I season the beef chuck roast with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
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I heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the roast on all sides until browned, about 3–4 minutes per side.
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I transfer the roast to the crockpot.
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I add the pineapple chunks, chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, beef broth, sliced red onion, and minced garlic around and over the roast.
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I cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours, until the beef is very tender.
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I shred the beef directly in the crockpot using two forks and mix it into the sauce.
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I stir in fresh lime juice and adjust seasoning if needed.
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I serve the shredded beef over rice or quinoa and top with avocado, cilantro, and extra pineapple.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 6 servings.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours on low (or 4–5 hours on high)
Total Time: About 8 hours 15 minutes
Variations
I sometimes add black beans or corn during the last 30 minutes of cooking for extra texture. When I want a sweeter profile, I include a small drizzle of honey.
If I prefer more heat, I add an extra chipotle pepper. For a lighter bowl, I serve the beef over cauliflower rice or in lettuce cups. I also enjoy topping it with a spoonful of Greek yogurt for creaminess.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors become even richer as it sits.
To reheat, I warm the beef gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth if needed. I can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring between each interval.
If I want to freeze it, I let the beef cool completely and store it in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. I thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
Can I skip searing the roast?
Yes, I can skip it if I’m short on time, but I find searing adds extra depth of flavor.
How spicy is this dish?
I find it moderately spicy. I control the heat by adjusting the number of chipotle peppers used.
Can I use canned pineapple?
Yes, canned pineapple works well. I use some of the juice to enhance the sauce.
What cut of beef works best?
I prefer beef chuck roast because it becomes tender and shreds easily after slow cooking.
Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
Yes, I can pressure cook it on high for about 60–70 minutes, then allow natural release before shredding.
Conclusion
I find this Crockpot Chipotle Pineapple Pot Roast Bowl to be a bold and satisfying meal that blends smoky heat with tropical sweetness. The tender shredded beef and flavorful sauce make it perfect for hearty bowls and easy meal prep. Whenever I want a slow-cooked dish with exciting flavor, this recipe is always a favorite in my kitchen.
Crockpot Chipotle Pineapple Pot Roast Bowl
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Crockpot Chipotle Pineapple Pot Roast Bowl is a bold and smoky-sweet dish featuring fall-apart tender beef slow-cooked in a rich chipotle and pineapple sauce, perfect for serving over rice or grain bowls.
- Author: Lizaa
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 to 3 lbs beef chuck roast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, with a little juice)
- 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from the can)
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lime
- For serving: cooked rice or quinoa, sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, extra pineapple, lime wedges
Instructions
- Season beef chuck roast with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear roast on all sides, about 3–4 minutes per side.
- Transfer roast to crockpot.
- Add pineapple chunks, chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, beef broth, sliced red onion, and minced garlic around and over the roast.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours until beef is very tender.
- Shred beef directly in crockpot using two forks and mix into the sauce.
- Stir in fresh lime juice and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve over rice or quinoa and top with avocado, cilantro, and extra pineapple.
Notes
- Add black beans or corn during the last 30 minutes for extra texture.
- Drizzle in a little honey for a sweeter flavor profile.
- Increase chipotle peppers for more heat.
- Serve over cauliflower rice or in lettuce cups for a lighter option.
- Store in refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze for up to 2 months in freezer-safe containers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (without rice toppings)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 760 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
