Chipotle is known for its delicious burritos, tacos, bowls and salads made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Many of Chipotle’s menu items can be customized to be plant-based by choosing veggie fillings like sofritas, fajita veggies, rice, beans, lettuce and salsa. With the rise in popularity of plant-based eating, more people are wondering about the calories and nutrition in Chipotle’s vegan and vegetarian options. In this 5000 word article, we will dive into the calorie counts for different plant-based Chipotle orders.
Sofritas
One of the most popular plant-based proteins at Chipotle is sofritas. Sofritas are shredded tofu braised with chipotle chilis, roasted poblanos, and a blend of aromatic spices. A standard serving of sofritas contains the following calories:
| 1 scoop of sofritas | 100 calories |
| 2 scoops of sofritas | 200 calories |
| 3 scoops of sofritas | 300 calories |
As you can see, the calories in sofritas are fairly minimal for a protein source. Adding sofritas to a salad bowl or burrito will increase the total calorie count, but it remains a lighter option compared to meat fillings. For reference, here are the calories when adding sofritas to some popular Chipotle menu items:
| Burrito bowl with sofritas | 465-805 calories |
| Burrito with sofritas | 700-1,020 calories |
| Tacos with sofritas (2) | 260-400 calories |
| Salad with sofritas | 260-390 calories |
The calorie range accounts for changing the portions of rice, beans, salsa, lettuce, etc. As you customize your bowl or entree, the calories will vary. For example, a bowl with just sofritas, lettuce, salsa, and 3 scoops of brown rice would be around 465 calories. A burrito stuffed with 3 scoops of sofritas, white rice, black beans, fajita veggies, guacamole, lettuce, and salsa could top 1,000 calories. In general, going light on higher-calorie add-ons like rice, tortilla chips, guacamole, and cheese will keep your plant-based Chipotle meal in a lower calorie range.
Fajita Veggies
Another filling veggie option at Chipotle is the fajita veggies. These are grilled red and green bell peppers and onions seasoned with lime and chili pepper. The fajita veggies are pretty low calorie considering the plentiful portion size:
| 1 scoop of fajita veggies | 20 calories |
| 2 scoops of fajita veggies | 40 calories |
| 3 scoops of fajita veggies | 60 calories |
Adding the vibrant grilled veggies boosts nutrition without adding too many calories. For reference, here are some orders with fajita veggies and their total calories:
| Burrito bowl with fajita veggies | 420-750 calories |
| Burrito with fajita veggies | 640-960 calories |
| Tacos with fajita veggies (2) | 250-380 calories |
| Salad with fajita veggies | 260-370 calories |
As you can see, you can add lots of filling fajita veggies without spiking the total calorie count of your Chipotle meal.
Beans
Chipotle offers two different bean options – black beans and pinto beans. Both types are excellent meatless protein and fiber sources. Here is the nutrition breakdown for each:
| 1 scoop of black beans | 110 calories |
| 1 scoop of pinto beans | 120 calories |
Beans offer a very hearty, filling addition to any veggie Chipotle meal. Adding beans will bump up calories slightly, but also provides lasting satiety from the protein and fiber. Here are some orders with beans and their total calories:
| Burrito bowl with beans | 410-740 calories |
| Burrito with beans | 640-960 calories |
| Tacos with beans (2) | 250-380 calories |
| Salad with beans | 240-360 calories |
The calorie range accounts for your choice of either black or pinto beans. The fiber and plant-based protein in beans helps provide stable energy and keep you full.
Rice
Grains provide important carbohydrates in a plant-based Chipotle meal. There are two main rice choices – white rice and brown rice. Brown rice is the lower calorie option with a bit more fiber. Here is the calorie breakdown:
| 1 scoop of white rice | 210 calories |
| 1 scoop of brown rice | 100 calories |
Rice is one of the higher calorie accompaniments for burritos and bowls. Sticking with 1-2 scoops can help keep calories in check. Here are some orders with rice and their total calories:
| Burrito bowl with rice | 420-640 calories |
| Burrito with rice | 720-940 calories |
| Salad with rice | 210-320 calories |
The calorie range accounts for brown or white rice. Limiting rice to 1-2 scoops per entree helps reduce the calorie impact.
Salsa
Chipotle’s fresh salsas add lots of flavor without unnecessary calories. Both the mild tomato salsa and spicy red and green chile salsas have minimal calorie counts per 2-ounce serving. Here is the nutrition info:
| 2 oz mild tomato salsa | 10 calories |
| 2 oz green chile salsa | 15 calories |
| 2 oz red chile salsa | 5 calories |
Load up on salsa formaximum flavor and minimal calories. With just 5-15 calories per serving, salsa provides the perfect topping for any plant-based Chipotle order.
Lettuce
Chipotle offers two lettuce options – romaine lettuce and salad mix (shredded romaine, iceberg and leaf lettuce blend). Both are nearly calorie-free and provide nutrients like vitamin K. The calories per 2-ounce serving of lettuce are:
| 2 oz romaine lettuce | 5 calories |
| 2 oz salad mix | 10 calories |
Using lettuce as the base for your bowl, burrito, tacos or salad is an easy way to add volume and nutrients without calories. Load up the lettuce for a heftier, more filling meal.
Guacamole
While healthy fats are important in a balanced plant-based diet, guacamole does come with a higher calorie price tag. Here are the nutrition facts:
| 2 oz guacamole | 80 calories |
Due to the avocado base, guacamole provides mostly monounsaturated fats with some protein and fiber. Compared to tomatoes, lettuce, salsa, and other toppings, guacamole is higher in calories. Going light on guac or skipping it altogether can help reduce calories.
Cheese
To keep an order plant-based, opt out of cheese. However, for reference, here are the calories in Chipotle’s cheese add-ons:
| 2 oz shredded cheese | 110 calories |
| 2 oz queso | 110 calories |
By avoiding dairy cheese, you can cut 110 calories per 2-ounce serving. Skipping cheese and sour cream is key for lower calorie plant-based orders.
Lower Calorie Plant-Based Orders
Now that we’ve covered the calorie counts for individual ingredients, let’s look at some lower calorie plant-based orders. Here are some recommendations and their approximate calorie counts:
Plant-Power Bowl
- 1 scoop sofritas (100 calories)
- 1 scoop fajita veggies (20 calories)
- 1 scoop pinto beans (120 calories)
- 1 scoop brown rice (100 calories)
- Romaine lettuce (5 calories)
- Fresh tomato salsa (10 calories)
Total Calories: About 355
Vegetarian Burrito
- 1 scoop black beans (110 calories)
- 1 scoop brown rice (100 calories)
- Fajita veggies (20 calories)
- Romaine lettuce (5 calories)
- Fresh tomato salsa (10 calories)
Total Calories: About 545
Guac-less Veggie Bowl
- 1 scoop sofritas (100 calories)
- 1 scoop fajita veggies (20 calories)
- Romaine lettuce (5 calories)
- Fresh tomato salsa (10 calories)
Total Calories: About 235
Double Salad
- Salad mix (10 calories)
- 1 scoop black beans (110 calories)
- 1 scoop sofritas (100 calories)
- Fresh tomato salsa (10 calories)
Total Calories: About 330
As you can see, keeping beans, grains, guac, and cheese to a minimum will help reduce the total calorie count of your plant-based meal. Focusing on fresh ingredients like lettuce, salsa, and fajita veggies results in lighter yet satisfying bowls and burritos.
Higher Calorie Plant-Based Orders
While lower calorie orders maximize nutrition, some days you may want a more indulgent plant-based meal from Chipotle. Here are some higher calorie orders:
Fully Loaded Veggie Bowl
- 1 scoop sofritas (100 calories)
- 1 scoop fajita veggies (20 calories)
- 1 scoop pinto beans (120 calories)
- 1 scoop brown rice (100 calories)
- 2 oz guacamole (80 calories)
- Romaine lettuce (5 calories)
- Fresh tomato salsa (10 calories)
Total Calories: About 635
Supreme Vegetarian Burrito
- 1 scoop black beans (110 calories)
- 1 scoop brown rice (100 calories)
- 1 scoop sofritas (100 calories)
- Fajita veggies (20 calories)
- Romaine lettuce (5 calories)
- 2 oz guacamole (80 calories)
Total Calories: About 715
Chipotle Salad Feast
- Salad mix (10 calories)
- 1 scoop black beans (110 calories)
- 1 scoop brown rice (100 calories)
- 1 scoop sofritas (100 calories)
- Fajita veggies (20 calories)
- 2 oz guacamole (80 calories)
Total Calories: About 720
Bean & Rice Burrito
- 1 scoop pinto beans (120 calories)
- 1 scoop brown rice (100 calories)
- 1 scoop white rice (210 calories)
- 1 scoop black beans (110 calories)
- Romaine lettuce (5 calories)
Total Calories: About 845
When building a higher calorie plant-based meal, extras like guacamole, double rice or beans, and fajita veggies will satisfy your appetite while still sticking to vegetarian and vegan options. Moderating guacamole and limiting cheese is key for keeping calories under control.
Plant-Based Sides
In addition to the regular burrito and bowl fillings, Chipotle offers a few plant-based side dishes:
Chips and Guacamole
- Chips: 370 calories
- Guacamole: 230 calories
Total Calories: About 600
Chips and guac make a tasty plant-based snack or side, though the calorie count stacks up due to the chips. Ask for a scoop of just guacamole (80 calories) to dip your veggies if you want to lighten it up.
Chips and Fresh Tomato Salsa
- Chips: 370 calories
- Salsa: 20 calories
Total Calories: About 390
Again, the chips drive up the calories. But salsa gives lots of flavor for minimal calories, making this another good veggie dipper.
Side of Guacamole
- Guacamole: 230 calories
Getting just a side of guac avoids the chips for a lighter option if you still want that creamy avocado goodness.
Tortilla on the Side
- 1 flour tortilla: 300 calories
If you opt for a bowl, getting the tortilla on the side lets you control portions and calories. Use it for a few bites or wraps without increasing the overall count by default.
Lower Calorie Dressing Options
Chipotle offers a couple of plant-based dressing choices to drizzle on your salad or bowl. Here are the nutrition facts:
| 2 oz Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette | 140 calories |
| 2 oz Guacamole Vinaigrette | 90 calories |
The Guacamole Vinaigrette provides savory flavor with less oil, making it the lighter choice if adding dressing. Or stick with salsa for even fewer calories.
Conclusion
Chipotle offers endless options for customizable plant-based meals. Keeping beans, grains, cheese, and guacamole portions in check will help reduce total calories. Building your meal around low-calorie ingredients like lettuce, salsa, and fajita veggies results in lighter bowls and burritos under 500 calories. Add extra scoops of rice or beans, guacamole, and tortilla chips for a higher calorie meal up to 1,000 calories. Whatever you crave, you can create a satisfying plant-based meal at Chipotle while minding your daily calorie needs.
