Chipotle’s Plant Based Chorizo has officially been released in ALL locations across the United States!
In late August 2021, Chipotle began testing a new meat alternative to possibly sit alongside their braised tofu, Sofritas, which debuted in 2014.
A Plant Based Chorizo is still something not seen very often on menus at chain restaurants. Blaze Pizza and Melt Bar & Grill are the only other chains we know of offering a vegan Chorizo.
Denver and Indianapolis were given the first samples of what is now Chipotle’s NEW Plant Based Chorizo. The reviews during the test were outstanding. So much so, it’s now early January 2022 and we’re seeing it on every menu.
We’re also hearing this is only for a limited time.
What Are Chipotle’s Plant Based Chorizo ingredients?
Chipotle is proud to state that all of the Plant Based Chorizo’s ingredients are certified vegan and are grown on a farm and not in a lab. I wanted to get that out of the way because we love hearing this too! The ingredients include:
Ancho chili and chipotle peppers, ripe tomato paste, crushed garlic, Spanish smoked paprika, and extra virgin olive oil combined with natural protein sourced from freshly grown peas.
The Plant Based Chorizo contains NO artificial flavors, colors or preservatives and is made without grains, gluten, or soy. A lot of people love hearing there are 16 grams of protein in a serving as well.
What Did We Order?
Honestly, we got exactly what we would normally order but instead of asking for the Sofritas we replaced it with the Plant Based Chorizo. Here we go:
Jen
- Salad with white rice, plant based chorizo, pinto beans, fresh tomato salsa and roasted chili-corn salsa. I also order with no chipotle honey vinaigrette dressing.
Ryan
- Bowl with brown rice, plant based chorizo, BOTH beans, a small amount of the fajita peppers and onions, red-chili salsa, chili-corn salsa and lettuce.
We almost always get chips to scoop it up, as we did here!
Lifestyle Bowls
You always have the option to pick your ingredients one by one from Chipotle’s menu but if you have NO time to figure out your order or just want to make it easy for someone else to place your order, then choose a Lifestyle Bowl.
Chipotle offers 4 vegan bowls, 2 are with the new Plant Based Chorizo.
- Vegan Plant Based Chorizo Bowl … comes with Plant-Based Chorizo, White Rice, Black Beans, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa and Shredded Romaine Lettuce.
- Whole 30 Plant Based Chorizo Salad Bowl … comes with Plant-Based Chorizo, Supergreens Lettuce Blend, Fajita Veggies, Fresh Tomato Salsa and Guacamole.
- Vegan Plant Based Sofritas Bowl … comes with Sofritas, Brown Rice, Black Beans, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa, and Shredded Romaine Lettuce.
- Vegetarian Salad Bowl … comes with Supergreens Lettuce Blend, Brown Rice, Black Beans, Fajita Veggies, Fresh Tomato Salsa, and Guacamole. Order with NO vinaigrette.
The Cost
We were a bit surprised by the cost. The Veggie (includes guacamole) and the Sofritas cost the same while the Plant Based Chorizo option costs $1.00 more. Our cost in Georgia went from what we’re used to, $7.95, to $8.95.
Our Review:
The description Chipotle gives by saying their new Plant Based Chorizo has a deep rich flavor of chorizo is right on. I can taste every ingredient they have listed from the peppers to smoked paprika.
Be aware if you’re not familiar with chorizo, it is more on the spicy side and with bold flavor.
What really sets their Plant Based Chorizo apart from the Sofritas is the heartiness and texture of it. We are aware that these are very different ingredients, tofu vs a pea protein, and the Sofritas are braised which makes for a softer texture.
What we both agreed on is if you are looking for a heartier, meaty type texture then the new Plant Based Chorizo is for you.
In my salad, I would have preferred the Sofritas because the Chorizo was just a little too bold and spicy for me (I don’t like much spice) but Ryan loved it in his bowl.
We think that the Chorizo would be incredible in a hearty burrito as well. If you are not much of spicy food fan, adding the guacamole will help balance it. Be prepared to pay a little more but the combo would be very good.
In Conclusion…
Chipotle already had a good amount of vegan options on their menu and this Plant Based Chorizo only adds to the vegan-friendliness of the restaurant.
We were both surprised and impressed by this new Chorizo. Ryan wants to try it in a burrito but otherwise, we are still happy with the Sofritas and may choose cost over having the new option.
What do you think? Would you choose the new Plant Based Chorizo, Sofritas or opt for just the beans? And don’t forget, the Chorizo is only available for a limited time… so definitely get out there and try it!
