Chipotle spent all of 2022 rolling out new protein choices on their not notably change-prone menu. It was fantastic and some of these new additions just like the guajillo steak, pollo asado, and smoked brisket dunked on the meats that get pleasure from everlasting standing on the menu. The brand new choices have been so successful that on the finish of final yr, we gave Chipotle our coveted Golden Bag Award for finest general quick meals model. If you happen to would’ve instructed me three years in the past (once I began closely overlaying quick meals for Uproxx) that Chipotle would win an award for finest quick meals model, I’d’ve laughed in your face.
Sadly for all of us, all of those scrumptious and flavorful new protein choices have been restricted, and now Chipotle is again to its base menu of choices. We’re unsure what Chipotle has in retailer for this yr, however thus far all of the model has introduced is a few TikTok quesadilla hack set to hitch the menu subsequent month. That information is… wonderful, however what can be higher is a quesadilla hack with a few of that guajillo steak! Sadly, we don’t dwell in that world.
The elimination of short-term objects implies that final yr’s rating of Chipotle proteins is now out of date and we have to replace it. And since Chipotle is a quick meals restaurant with lots of variables (all realized in their purest form with this burrito build) we figured the simplest and most clear solution to rank all of those proteins is to eat all of them utterly bare. No sauce, no further components, only a forkful of meat or veg or tofu!
Listed below are the most effective protein choices you may order at Chipotle in 2023 (thus far).
6. Sofritas
Energy: 150
Protein: 8g
Tasting Notes:
I really feel dangerous about rating Chipotle’s solely plant-based protein choice final, however…these items sucks. To be truthful, with regards to taste, the sofritas aren’t half dangerous. They’ve an amazing mix of peppery and cumin-dominant notes that actually reduce properly by means of your burrito add-ons and provide you with that savory meat vibe. That in and of itself is a commendable achievement. If you happen to’re a vegetarian, straight up, it is a nice meat substitute. Don’t really feel dangerous about ordering it or consider it as an excuse to skip Chipotle fully.
What I don’t like concerning the Sofritas is every thing else.
To start with, they’re extremely moist. Is moist not a robust sufficient phrase? Ought to I say “moist”? What’s the cope with folks not liking the phrase moist? Moist is nice. You gonna inform me you don’t need to eat a moist brownie? Anyway, I digress — the sofritas are so moist that they’ll soak by means of your tortilla, which can completely break your meal. Other than the wetness, the sofritas even have a horrible mouthfeel, the tofu is actually chunky and chewy to the purpose of distraction, and it turns into very apparent that you simply’re not consuming meat. In a loaded burrito or bowl there are sufficient different components occurring that you simply aren’t going to note that mouthfeel, however in one thing like a taco, overlook it.
Maybe extra importantly, as a result of the sofritas are additionally Chipotle’s least fashionable meat choice, they don’t get modified out sufficient so they’re nearly at all times served somewhat stale and lukewarm. That doesn’t do any favors to the general expertise.
The Backside Line:
If you happen to don’t abstain from consuming meat, there is no such thing as a purpose to even have a look at the sofritas. It isn’t the flavour that’s the issue it’s the moist consistency and the terrible rubbery mouthfeel that break this selection.
5. Carnitas
Energy: 210
Protein: 23g
Tasting Notes:
I’ve heard folks swear by the carnitas at Chipotle, and I’m not going to sit down right here and inform you that Chipotle carnitas will not be “actual” or “correct,” however these are definitely persistently the worst carnitas I’ve ever had. If you happen to love the Chipotle carnitas, sorry, however you may have dangerous style in carnitas — you’re taking part in on my homecourt right here and I’m telling you: not good.
The place to begin with these items? They’re dry, over-salted, and so fatty-sinewy that you simply’ll consistently be choosing sh*t out of your mouth as a result of it’ll find yourself sticking round even after you’ve already swallowed the remainder of your meals. What makes carnitas particular is the slow-cooking, this helps the pork attain a degree of tender juiciness that’s downright orgasmic. Flavors of cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper are supposed to bounce throughout the tongue with every chew.
Chipotle’s carnitas has none of that.
The juicy tenderness is changed with a bone-dry texture that allows you to really feel every strand of pork in your mouth as you chew by means of it. Tooth floss. It could actually even double as floss, which is some extent in its favor contemplating it’s going to get caught in each crevice between your enamel. The earthy flavors of cumin and oregano are as an alternative changed with a small ocean’s-worth of salt. I’m nearly amazed that Chipotle might fail at carnitas this tough. If you happen to instructed me this was Taco Bell’s new meat, I’d consider it.
The Backside Line:
When folks say “Chipotle isn’t actual Mexican meals” it’s as a result of they’re offended by this poor excuse for carnitas.
4. Guacamole
Energy: 360
Protein: 2g
Tasting Notes:
Does guacamole depend as a protein choice at Chipotle?
Not within the “protein” sense, no. However we’re utilizing the phrase to imply: “fundamental merchandise featured in an entree” and in that sense, it definitely suits the invoice. So what the hell, we’ve determined to incorporate it!
Individuals go nuts for Chipotle’s guacamole, and should you’re evaluating it to Taco Bell and Del Taco guac, certain, it’s downright wonderful. However should you’ve ever eaten at a neighborhood taqueria or crushed your personal avocados, that is nothing price obsessing over. That is fairly customary stuff at each Mexican joint in California, and if something Chipotle goes somewhat heavy with the onion right here.
Other than the dominant taste of pink onions, now we have some persistently ripe avocado right here performing as our base, blended with lime juice (somewhat an excessive amount of — somebody on Chipotle’s board should be closely invested in lime groves), cilantro, and diced jalapeno bits all through. The diced jalapeno is my favourite characteristic, it provides a pleasant refined kick that lingers on the palate after every chew and leaves you wanting extra. It’s an amazing trick, and I want they’d’ve targeted extra on the peppers than the onion, however I get that they’ve bought to please the typical client who in all probability can’t deal with the spice.
The Backside Line:
Chipotle’s guacamole is astoundingly constant. I’ve but to have a serving that tastes prefer it was utilizing over or under-ripened avocados, and although that is extra onion-dominant than I like, I’d nonetheless order a veggie burrito over getting the sofritas and carnitas — so we’re rating this larger.
Regardless that it’s not actually a protein choice.
3. Steak
Energy: 150
Protein: 21g
Tasting Notes:
Chipotle’s steak might be probably the most irritating meat choice the chain has on supply. On the one hand, when it’s good it’s nice — tender chunks of medium-cooked steak with an ideal caramelized outer and a easy seasoning mix of salt, black pepper, cumin, and completed with what I’m assuming is butter to assist obtain that crunchy glaze. However when it’s dangerous — which, sadly, is more often than not in my expertise — it’s grainy, chewy, and difficult. An absolute chore to eat.
So my recommendation is to provide the steak a very good look once you’re ordering it. If it glistens with rising ribbons of steam like within the photograph above, get it — it’ll be glorious. But when it appears to be like prefer it’s been sitting round for some time and so they’re about to alter it up with a brand new batch, ditch it since you would possibly as effectively be consuming rocks.
The Backside Line:
Due to its hit-or-miss high quality, we’re giving this one the bronze medal, regardless that typically it’s at the least worthy of a silver.
2. Rooster
Energy: 180
Protein: 32g
Tasting Notes:
Chipotle’s rooster doesn’t endure from the identical consistency points that plague the steak. Even when the rooster has been sitting within the bin for some time, it’s nonetheless filled with taste. The one factor you lose with time right here is how sizzling the meat is, and contemplating you’re consuming at Chipotle I’m simply going to imagine you don’t care about whether or not your meals is sizzling or not. As a result of at Chipotle it not often is.
Chipotle’s rooster is flame-grilled and includes a taste profile that’s dominated by the smokey qualities of ancho chilis and the savory zest of adobo sauce. I’ve little doubt the restaurant spends a very good period of time marinating this meat. As a result of Chipotle makes use of grilled rooster thigh somewhat than breast, every chew is juicy and tender, by no means affected by the dry tendencies of over-cooked chicken. If you happen to’re wincing on the thought of darkish meat over white, you have to hate taste. Simply kidding (form of), but when chewy fats usually retains you away from ordering darkish meat, that’s not an issue right here. The meat continues to be remarkably lean, you nearly can’t inform it’s darkish meat apart from the truth that it’s so persistently tasty with every chew.
The Backside Line:
Flavorful, juicy, and most significantly, constant. It’s arduous to get a nasty serving of rooster at Chipotle. If that is your first time, that is your second-best meat for a optimistic expertise general. In order for you the most effective expertise, go together with our primary selection when you nonetheless can.
1. Barbacoa
Energy: 170
Protein: 24g
Tasting Notes:
The energy of this meat is in its insanely tender texture — every chew bursts with juicy savory goodness. For this barbacoa, Chipotle makes use of shoulder-cut meat, (somewhat than the extra conventional cabeza) which retains it tender, serving to to absorb Chipotle’s marinade, which it spends in a single day bathing in. Placing in that further time marinating actually helps this meat soar above the remainder of Chipotle’s choices, and whereas I miss the silky luxurious qualities that I’ve come to anticipate from conventional barbacoa, this comes method nearer than I’d anticipate a nationwide chain to ever get to the true factor.
The barbacoa is dominated by the earthy notes of oregano and cloves, I’m additionally getting a little bit of bay leaf in there and Chipotle’s typical pepper and adobo-forward taste. It really works nice in every of Chipotle meal kind components, whether or not you’re crunching on tacos, placing collectively an epic burrito, otherwise you’re in search of the most effective salad of your life.
The Backside Line:
On most days, Chipotle’s most flavorful protein and nearly pretty much as good as the normal barbacoa you’ll get at a classic SoCal taqueria. Nearly. Critically, should you’ve ever left Chipotle pondering the chain is significantly missing in taste, you have to not have tried the barbacoa but. Ask for a spoonful of additional liquid should you’re getting a bowl!
