Quick Answer
Chipotle’s flour tortillas contain gluten, while their corn tortillas are gluten-free. So if you need to avoid gluten, opt for corn tortillas at Chipotle. Their chips are also made from gluten-containing flour tortillas, so avoid those as well if gluten is an issue.
Do Chipotle Flour Tortillas Have Gluten?
Yes, Chipotle’s flour tortillas contain gluten. The main ingredients in their flour tortillas are enriched bleached wheat flour, water, vegetable shortening, and salt. Wheat flour contains gluten, so Chipotle’s flour tortillas are not gluten-free.
People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity need to avoid gluten, as it can cause digestive issues and other health problems. So if you have celiac disease or a gluten allergy, you’ll need to skip the flour tortillas at Chipotle. Stick to corn tortillas instead.
Ingredients in Chipotle Flour Tortillas
Here are the ingredients in Chipotle’s flour tortillas, according to the company’s website:
– Enriched bleached wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
– Water
– Vegetable shortening (lnteresterified soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil)
– Contains 2% or less of the following: sugar, leavening (sodium bicarbonate, sodium aluminum sulfate, corn starch, monocalcium phosphate, calcium sulfate), salt, dough conditioner (sodium metabisulfite), preservatives (calcium propionate, sorbic acid), fumaric acid, sodium methylcellulose, enzymes.
The enriched bleached wheat flour is what contains the gluten. Wheat flour is made from wheat kernels, which contain gluten proteins. During kneading and baking, these gluten proteins link together to give breads and tortillas their chewy texture.
So for anyone sensitive to gluten, Chipotle’s standard flour tortillas should be avoided.
Are Chipotle Corn Tortillas Gluten-Free?
Yes, Chipotle’s corn tortillas do not contain any gluten. The ingredients are:
– Whole Grain Corn
– Water
– Lime
– Salt
– Trace of Cellulose Gum added to maintain freshness
None of these ingredients contain gluten. Corn naturally does not have gluten, so tortillas made from corn are gluten-free.
The corn tortillas are a good option for anyone with celiac disease or a gluten allergy dining at Chipotle. You can build your burrito, bowl, tacos, or other meal with corn tortillas instead of flour and avoid any issues with gluten.
Some people who are highly sensitive need to avoid any risk of cross-contamination. According to Chipotle, their corn products are not made in facilities that process wheat or gluten. So there should be minimal risk of cross-contact.
However, they do share that some corn tortillas may be exposed to flour tortillas during the cooking process in their restaurants. So anyone with an extreme sensitivity should mention this when ordering so extra care can be taken to prevent cross-contamination.
Are Chipotle Tortilla Chips Gluten-Free?
No, unfortunately Chipotle’s tortilla chips are not gluten-free. The chips are made from their flour tortillas.
Specifically, here are the ingredients in Chipotle tortilla chips:
– Stone ground corn
– Vegetable oil (corn oil, soybean oil, and/or sunflower oil)
– Water
– Flour tortilla (whole wheat flour, enriched bleached wheat flour, water, vegetable shortening, sugar, salt, dough conditioner, preservatives, fumaric acid, sodium metabisulfite)
– Salt
So while the chips do contain some corn, they are made using flour tortillas which contain gluten from the enriched bleached wheat flour.
If you need to follow a gluten-free diet, it’s best to avoid the tortilla chips at Chipotle. Stick to the corn tortillas or other certified gluten-free menu items instead.
Gluten-Free Menu Items at Chipotle
While the flour tortillas and chips have gluten, there are still plenty of gluten-free options you can choose when eating at Chipotle:
– Corn tortillas
– Burrito bowls
– Salads without crispy corn tortilla strips
– Meat, fajita veggies, beans, rice, and salsas
– Guacamole
Just build your meal with corn tortillas or in a bowl or salad without the flour-based crispy strips. Then add rice, beans, salsa, meat, veggies, and other gluten-free toppings.
You can create a burrito bowl or salad with all the same ingredients as a flour tortilla burrito, but without the gluten. Or make tacos using the corn tortillas instead of flour.
Some of Chipotle’s salsas may contain gluten from thickeners like wheat flour. If you have celiac disease or are highly gluten sensitive, request they change gloves and equipment before preparing your order to minimize cross-contact.
There are still plenty of delicious gluten-free options at Chipotle. Just customize your meal to avoid the flour tortillas and tortilla chips.
Is Chipotle Safe for Celiac Disease?
Chipotle may not be the most ideal for those with celiac disease since flour tortillas are used in the restaurant and some salsa thickeners may contain gluten. However, it can still be relatively safe with some modifications.
Those with celiac disease need to follow a 100% strict gluten-free diet, with no cheating at all. Even small traces of gluten can trigger symptoms and intestinal damage.
Here are some tips for eating at Chipotle safely with celiac disease:
– Request new gloves before your order is prepared to reduce cross-contact
– Choose corn tortillas or a bowl/salad without crispy strips
– Verify your meat, beans, rice, veggies, and salsas are gluten-free
– Check the labels of bottled drinks, as some may contain malt barley extract
– Avoid flour tortillas and tortilla chips
– Tell them you have celiac disease so they take extra care in preparing your meal
– Consider going at off-peak hours if very sensitive, when risk of cross-contamination may be lower
With these precautions, Chipotle can be reasonably safe for celiac disease. But it’s always smart to check their website and call ahead to confirm their standard practices and ingredients at your local restaurant.
Those with celiac disease need to be extra cautious when dining out anywhere, even when gluten-free options are available. Proper training and protocols for cross-contamination are critical. But Chipotle can be a good option for gluten-free fast food when ordering is handled carefully.
Is Chipotle Safe for Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity?
For those with non-celiac gluten sensitivity, Chipotle can be a safer option than other fast food restaurants. But it partly depends on the severity of one’s sensitivity.
Those with non-celiac gluten sensitivity don’t need to follow as strict a gluten-free diet. Some people may be fine with corn tortillas cooked alongside flour tortillas on the same surface, while others react to even small cross-contamination.
Here are some tips for those with non-celiac gluten sensitivity eating at Chipotle:
– Choose corn tortillas or bowls without crispy strips
– Avoid flour tortillas and chips
– Ask about shared cooking surfaces if highly sensitive
– Request gloves be changed before handling your food
– Choose off-peak dining times when possible
– Check bottled beverages for gluten ingredients
– Notify them you have a gluten sensitivity
With these steps, Chipotle can work for non-celiac gluten sensitivity, especially milder cases that don’t react to minor cross-contact. But it’s best to assess your own tolerance levels and take any necessary precautions.
Those with extremely high sensitivity may want to avoid Chipotle, as flour tortillas are cooked in the same areas. Opting for fully gluten-free restaurants is safest for those highly reactive to cross-contamination.
Gluten-Free Dining Tips for Chipotle
Here are some key gluten-free eating tips when dining at Chipotle:
– Build entrees in a bowl or salad instead of with flour tortillas
– Use corn tortillas rather than flour tortillas
– Verify meats, beans, rice, and salsas are gluten-free
– Avoid flour tortilla chips
– Request a change of gloves before handling your food
– Ask about shared cooking surfaces if highly sensitive
– Come at off-peak times to reduce cross-contamination risks
– Check labels of bottled drinks for gluten sources like malt
– Notify staff you need gluten-free meal prep
With planning and special requests, those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity can often safely eat at Chipotle. But it’s smart to assess your own tolerance levels and take any precautions needed for your health when dining out.
Is Chipotle Gluten-Free Friendly?
Overall, Chipotle makes efforts to accommodate gluten-free diners:
– They offer corn tortillas and lettuce bowls instead of flour tortillas
– Employees are trained on gluten-free prep when requested
– Allergen info is available on their website and app
– Most menu items can easily be made gluten-free
– They take steps to avoid cross-contamination when notified
However, they also have some challenges:
– Flour tortillas are cooked on shared surfaces
– Some salsas may contain wheat flour or malt barley
– Tortilla chips are made with flour tortillas
– Risk of cross-contact from shared lines and utensils
So while Chipotle is more gluten-free friendly than many fast food chains, they still present some risks you need to navigate. Following the tips above can make dining there safer with celiac or gluten issues. But caution is still advised, especially for those highly sensitive.
Gluten-Free Chipotle FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about eating gluten-free at Chipotle:
Are beans and rice gluten-free at Chipotle?
Yes, both the pinto and black beans and rice are gluten-free at Chipotle. They are safe to eat on a gluten-free diet.
Are meats gluten-free at Chipotle?
Yes, all of Chipotle’s meats are gluten-free, including chicken, steak, barbacoa, carnitas, and chorizo. Sofritas (tofu) is also gluten-free.
Is guacamole gluten-free at Chipotle?
Chipotle’s fresh guacamole does not contain gluten and is safe to eat on a gluten-free diet.
Can you get a burrito in a lettuce wrap instead of tortilla?
Yes, you can order any burrito wrapped in lettuce leaves instead of a flour or corn tortilla. This allows you to avoid both tortilla options.
Are corn tortilla chips gluten-free?
No, Chipotle’s tortilla chips are made with flour tortillas so they do contain gluten. You’ll need to avoid the chips and stick to corn tortillas.
Can you order soft corn tortillas instead of hard?
Yes, you can request soft corn tortillas instead of the crispy fried ones. The soft tortillas may have lower risk of cross-contamination.
The Bottom Line
Chipotle’s flour tortillas contain gluten, while the corn tortillas are gluten-free. So those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can eat there safely by choosing corn tortillas, lettuce bowls, and naturally gluten-free meal components.
However, some risk of cross-contamination from flour tortillas does exist. Following the tips above and using caution is advised, especially for those highly sensitive. Overall Chipotle is one of the more gluten-free friendly fast food options available.
