Joe Ciardullo The popular burrito chain Chipotle is known for its unconventional menu, use of naturally raised meats, and some pretty awesome guacamole. But there’s one thing that’s even more unique about Chipotle: They don’t list their ingredients on their website. If a customer has a food allergy or wants to know if the restaurant is using a meat substitute, they’re out of luck. So, what kind of cheese does Chipotle use?
Contents
What Is Cheese at Chipotle?
Chipotle is a fast casual restaurant chain that serves Mexican food. The company was founded in 1993 and has over 2,000 locations worldwide. They are most famous for their burritos, which can be customized to the customer’s liking.
The cheese used in Chipotle’s burritos is a blend of cheddar, jack and pepper jack cheeses. This combination gives Chipotle’s cheese its unique flavor while also allowing it to melt well.
When you order your burrito with “cheese,” you’re getting this blend of three different types of cheese. If you want extra cheese on top of your burrito or taco, you can ask for extra dairy product at no cost.
There are also many other options available when ordering at Chipotle. You can add guacamole or sour cream to any meal for an extra fee, but these items come standard with most meals if you don’t request otherwise.
Why is Chipotle so Expensive?
Chipotle is not a cheap meal. The price of a burrito or bowl can easily top $10, and it’s even higher if you add extras like guacamole and sour cream. One reason for the high prices is the quality of ingredients that the chain uses. It sources all its meats from naturally raised animals that are never given antibiotics or hormones, and it uses organic produce where possible. The company also pays its workers an average of $11 an hour, far above the industry standard.
Where Did Chipotle’s Cheese Originate?
Chipotle uses Monterey Jack cheese in almost all of its dishes, with a few exceptions: Most notably, it doesn’t use cheese on the quesadillas or nachos because they’re served warm and it would melt too much if there were any cheese on them (admittedly not a terrible loss).
What Kind of Cheese Does Chipotle Use?
Chipotle uses Monterey Jack cheese in their burritos and other dishes.
Chipotle has developed a cult following for their burritos, tacos, and salads. But what about the cheese? What kind of cheese does Chipotle use?
Their website doesn’t provide much information about their ingredients. They do say that they use “fresh ingredients” but don’t specify which ones. Here’s a look at some of the cheeses Chipotle uses:
Monterey Jack
The Monterey Jack is a cheese with a mild flavor and creamy texture. It’s made from cow’s milk and has a bright white color that can vary in shade depending on the cow’s diet. It’s named after the area of Monterey County in California where it was originally produced. The cheese can be used in sandwiches, salads, dips and many other dishes.
White Cheddar
White cheddar is also known as Wisconsin cheddar or sharp cheddar because of its sharp flavor profile compared with other varieties of cheddar. It’s made using cow’s milk and has an average fat content between 20% and 25%. The cheese gets its name from its pale color compared with yellow cheddar varieties; however, most white caddies have been aged for two years or more so they’re not actually white anymore!
Cheese Cultures
Cheese cultures are bacteria used to create different types of cheeses. Different cultures produce different flavors and textures in the final product. For example, the bacteria used to make blue cheese are different from those used to make cheddar cheese. The cultures are typically added to milk at different stages of production to create specific effects on their taste and texture when aged for several weeks or more.
What Type of Cheese Does Chipotle Use?
Chipotle uses a blend of cheeses in its burritos. The company doesn’t specify which varieties it uses, but it’s likely that they include mozzarella, cheddar and Monterey Jack.
The restaurant also uses other ingredients, including sour cream and guacamole, to create its signature burrito. The company’s website states that its burritos contain “all the fixings” and adds that even though the chain offers burritos with brown rice or flour tortillas, most customers choose soft flour tortillas for their orders.
Chipotle has been criticized for using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in its foods. As of 2015, Chipotle does not use GMO soybeans or corn in its ingredients or cooking oil. However, the company does use GMOs if they are present in another product used in making its food items.
Chipotle’s Cheese Sauce Recipe
The cheese sauce recipe is one of the most popular recipes on our website. It’s also one of the most requested items for catering and delivery orders. This Chipotle copycat recipe was developed by Chipotle restaurants to be used as a topping for their burritos, tacos, nachos and quesadillas. It’s a delicious addition to any dish that you want to add a little extra flavor to.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Dash pepper, to taste
Procedure
- In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over medium-low heat until melted.
- Add the flour to the pan and cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, until golden brown, about 2 minutes.
- Whisk in the milk until smooth and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat while whisking constantly.
- Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes more (do not boil).
- Stir in the cheese until melted and serve warm with your favorite Mexican dish!
What kind of cheese does chipotle use? Chipotle uses a wide variety of cheeses, including cheddar, pepper jack, and queso fresco. The chain also uses non-dairy cheese in its vegan options and in some dishes that call for cheese but don’t specify which type to use. The restaurant’s website lists the types of cheese used in each dish.
Tips When Eating at Chipotle
A Chipotle burrito is a meal in itself. But if you want to get out of there without an overstuffed belly, you’ll need to follow these simple guidelines.
1. Order a Salad
Salads are the best way to control your portion size at Chipotle. If you’re ordering for one person, order half of a chicken or barbacoa salad and ask for it to be cut in half lengthwise before adding your ingredients and dressing.
2. Skip the Tortilla Shell
If you’re craving a burrito bowl, skip the tortilla shell altogether and ask for all of your ingredients on top of rice instead. This way, you can fill up on more toppings than just meat and beans!
3. Ask for Double Everything (Except Cheese)
A Chipotle burrito should be full of veggies and protein — so don’t skimp on the toppings! When ordering your favorite burrito bowl or regular burrito, ask for double everything except cheese (which tends not to add much flavor). This will ensure that you’ll get plenty of fiber, vitamins and nutrients without filling up too quickly on high-fat meats like carnitas or chorizo (which both contain saturated fat).
4. Ask for a Skinny Margarita
A little tequila never hurt anyone — but too much will take up your stomach’s valuable real estate. To avoid overindulging, order a skinny margarita instead.
5. Follow the 5-second Rule
After you take your first bite from Chipotle’s burrito or bowl, wait five seconds before taking another bite. This will give your body time to register the food that’s already in your belly and start working on digesting the meal — preventing your body from entering “full” mode too soon. Also, it’ll help you control how much of each ingredient you eat before adding more (which is especially helpful if you’re ordering anything besides a salad).
FAQs
1. Do chipotle food chains use real avocados?
Yes, all of our avocado ingredients are fresh and whole. We don’t use any pre-made guacamole or other pre-packaged products.
2. Is white cheddar and monterey jack the same?
No, these cheeses are both made from cow’s milk but they are different varieties. Monterey Jack is a mild cheese with a creamy texture; white cheddar is sharp and tangy. We use both types in our cheese blends to make sure you get the best of both worlds!
3. Does monterey jack cheese melt well?
Yes, Monterey Jack cheese melts very well. It is also a very versatile cheese that can be used as a topping for many different dishes and recipes.
Conclusion
What kind of cheese does chipotle use? The type of cheese used in Chipotle’s recipes varies from state to state and even from restaurant to restaurant. The chain does not have any official guidelines for which type of cheese should be used in each recipe, so it is up to the individual restaurants to choose the best cheese for their menu items.
