How many times have you walked past a Chipotle and found it difficult to resist the temptation to go in? We don’t blame you, you can practically hear the burritos calling your name.
While it may not be in your best interest to eat at this establishment every day, you can create your own Chipotle burritos at home that will satisfy that craving and make your bank account happy. As with any recipe, feel free to adjust based on your own preferences and what you think will take this meal to the next level.
Ready to discover your new favorite copycat meal? Let’s get started.
Gather All the Ingredients
First things first, you’ll need to gather all of the things that will make your burrito the best in town. Don’t stress if there’s an item that your grocery store doesn’t have in stock.
There’s always an alternative, or you can browse the web if you’re committed to having the perfect ingredients—no judgment on our part.
Instead of telling you how much you’ll need of each thing, it’s better to list the ingredients so you can feel free to decide how much you want to pack your burrito. Perhaps you’re having an entire burrito party; you don’t want single-serving portions if that’s the case.
Also, even if the burrito is only for you, there’s no shame in eating two (or three).
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Burrito sized tortilla
- Choice of protein (chicken, steak, veggies, etc.)
- Cilantro and lime rice
- Black beans
- Salsa
- Sour Cream
- Taco Seasoning
- Hot sauce (optional)
- Guacamole (optional)
Let’s Begin Assembling
Alright, you’ve got all of your ingredients in front of you. It can seem a bit overwhelming, but you’ve got this!
Start with making your protein. You can bake chicken, pan saute steak, veggies, or tofu. The key is to season them properly so they’re not taking up flavorless space in your burrito.
That’s where the taco seasoning comes in. You can find this everywhere, including your local Trader Joe’s. There’s also plenty of ways to make your own homemade taco seasoning.
Now you can dice up some cilantro. Start boiling some white rice and mix it all with some lime zest and some butter and salt. It’s another way of making sure you’re not making plain ol’ rice, but rather, getting that delicious Chipotle flavor in every bite.
Now you can heat up your black beans, grate the cheese of your choice and either purchase pico de gallo or make your own. If you make your own, look for fresh tomatoes and be sure to make generous portions. Pico de gallo isn’t only for burritos, after all.
Once all of your ingredients are ready, it’s time to warm up your tortilla (microwave or heat it on a gas stove, no judgment). Arrange the rice horizontally in the lower half of each tortilla, top evenly with the cheese, protein, lettuce, and pico de gallo.
Now you fold the bottom edge of each tortilla snugly over the filling, tuck in those sides and roll up tightly. See how easy that was?
Don’t Forget the Toppings and Sides
Part of what makes Mexican food so great is that it leaves plenty of room for toppings and sides to enhance the taste. For one, there’s no extra charge when you make guac at home. Include plenty of lemon, so it doesn’t go bad, and you got enough for plenty of burritos.
You can also dice up a handful of jalapenos if a hot sauce isn’t enough spice for you. Keep a lime wedge by your side to take each bite to a new level.
Then there are the classic Chipotle chips. When you’re searching for ingredients, be sure to grab a bag of restaurant-type chips and use any leftover pico de gallo as a side. You’ll wonder why you didn’t start making burritos at home sooner!
For those days when you’re really craving Chipotle but don’t have the funds, there’s plenty of giveaways to look out for. Need more information? Find out here!
Adjust to Your Tastes
We live in a world with an increasing vegetarian and vegan population. Chipotle acknowledges that and makes excellent alternatives for all dietary preferences. Don’t feel left out of this recipe because it focuses on chicken.
You’re able to turn your burrito into a vegan masterpiece if you wish to.
You can also adjust the spice levels and even add a little homemade seasoning if you want. The food world is your oyster.
For a vegetarian Chipotle burrito, sub the chicken with vegetable fajitas or smoked tofu. You can also use tempeh for a nuttier taste or seitan for something that resembles steak. Since dairy isn’t off the table for you, keep the cheese and sour cream goodness as high as you want.
If you’re looking to make this recipe vegan, make the protein plant-based. Then you can go down the line and find vegan alternatives for pretty much every ingredient. There’s vegan sour cream and vegan cheddar cheese that you can find in most grocery stores.
You don’t need to stick to black beans if you prefer pinto beans, and if you’re trying to be more health-conscious, brown rice will do the job as well. The goal is to create something that is packed with flavor.
Fortunately for everyone, guac is veggie-friendly and the perfect thing to pack on top of your burrito masterpiece.
Make Chipotle Burritos at Home
It’s difficult to break the cycle of grabbing Chipotle whenever you’re craving some casual Mexican food. However, we can all admit that it isn’t the most practical option. Learning to make your own Chipotle burritos at home will not only make you reach top Chef Mode, but you’ll also save some money without sacrificing the flavor.
You don’t need to break up with Chipotle forever, but you can have a little break, then visit for special occasions.
Did you love this article? We have plenty more like it! Be sure to check out the health and fitness section of our blog!
