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What Kind Of Tortillas Does Chipotle Use? (Updated)

Last Updated on March 27, 2024 by Lauren Beck

I can personally confirm the importance of Chipotle Mexican Grill’s tortillas, having personally witnessed their widespread popularity.

These fresh and meticulously tested tortillas are the foundation for their iconic tacos, salads, and chips.

Their unique quality distinguishes them from others in the industry, making Chipotle a standout choice for delicious Mexican-inspired dishes.

What Tortilla Does Chipotle Restaurants Use?

Chipotle uses different types of tortillas for its menus. The corn tortillas are used for the tacos, while the flour tortillas are used for the quesadillas and burrito bowls. 

The difference between the two Chipotle tortillas is their flavors. The corn tortillas have a slightly sweet taste, while the flour tortillas have a more neutral flavor.

Who Supplies Their Tortilla?

Chipotle has worked with many tortilla suppliers since they started their business. One of their suppliers is Pancho Authentic Mexican Foods.

According to Steve Ells, the founder of Chipotle, the company aims for their new tortillas to be on an industrial scale.

As a result, the new recipes now include between two and five ingredients [1].

Does Chipotle Make Their Own Tortillas?

Yes, Chipotle makes its own tortillas using tortilla presses. It is the first chain restaurant to make its own tortillas.

The new flour tortillas are made using only wheat flour, water, canola oil, salt, and yeast.

Chipotle has invited Dr. Stephen Jones, a plant geneticist from the Bread Lab, to improve the restaurant’s new tortillas further.

Chipotle then gave the facility a tortilla press as a gift for helping tweak their new recipes.

Are Chipotle Tortillas Made Of Corn?

Yes, Chipotle tortillas are made of corn. They are made from two main ingredients: corn masa flour and water. The other ingredients are mineral lime and sunflower oil. 

But for their tortilla chips, they also use additional ingredients. It includes a squeeze of lime juice, sunflower oil and water, and kosher salt, aside from corn masa flour.

Are They Healthy?

No, the tortillas from Chipotle are not considered healthy because of the refined carbs. The tortilla alone has around 320 calories.

And this can make someone full and sleepy instead of getting energy for the day. 

However, Chipotle offers healthy options to balance the calorie content of the tortillas.

They offer other food options like salads, a burrito bowl, or a kid’s menu as an alternative.

Does Chipotle Give Free Tortillas?

No, Chipotle doesn’t give free tortillas anymore. Instead, the restaurant started charging $0.25 for an additional tortilla on the side [2]. 

Since the pandemic started, people have started to order too many tortillas, and the restaurant couldn’t keep up with the demand back then.

So, as a solution, they started charging when you order side tortillas.

FAQs

What brand tortillas do Chipotle use?

The brand of tortillas that Chipotle uses was not specified. The company partners with several tortilla company manufacturers instead.

The reason behind it is to make Chipotle tortillas healthy.  In 2017, they launched their tortilla recipes exclusive to Chipotle restaurants.

What kind of tortillas does Chipotle use for tacos?

Chipotle uses corn tortillas for tacos. It is available in two options: soft or hard-shell tortilla.

When you order tacos from the restaurant, you will build your own by choosing available ingredients for that day. 

Some ingredients are guacamole, salsa, queso blanco, sour cream, or cheese, topped with hand-cut romaine lettuce.

What size tortillas does Chipotle use for their burritos?

Chipotle uses 12-diameter tortilla wraps for burritos with soft pliability. However, the size may look smaller once the ingredients are wrapped.

Key Takeaways

In conclusion, based on my own experiences, I can confirm that Chipotle prioritizes quality in its tortillas by using additive-free corn and flour.

Hand-pressed using a tortilla press, they strive to achieve artisanal excellence on an industrial scale.

The restaurant’s commitment to freshness is evident as they craft these tortillas daily, ensuring top-notch food safety.

What’s truly appealing is their personalized approach, empowering customers to curate their own menus with the available store ingredients. Chipotle’s dedication to both taste and choice makes it a gratifying dining destination for all.

References:

  1. https://www.eater.com/2017/3/28/15071988/chipotle-new-tortilla
  2. https://people.com/food/chipotle-is-now-charging-an-extra-25-cents-for-a-side-of-tortilla/
Lauren Beck

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