Keto Friendly Chipotle Options - What to Order (2023 update!)

Do you enjoy eating at Chipotle Mexican Grill? If so, you'll be happy to hear that this popular Tex-Mex fast-food chain offers many keto-friendly options. Even on a low-carb diet, you can enjoy a satisfying meal at Chipotle with the right selections and customizations.

In this guide, we'll show you what to order and what to avoid to keep your meal keto-friendly. From proteins to toppings, we'll provide suggestions to help you customize your order and make it perfect for a low-carb diet.

chipotle mexican grill lifestyle keto bowl

Chipotle Mexican Grill is an excellent spot for those on a keto diet to find meals that match their nutritional needs. The Chipotle keto menu contains protein-rich dishes, like steak, chicken, barbacoa, and carnitas. You can even enjoy sugar-free drinks like unsweetened iced tea and Coke Zero.

Consider trying a steak burrito bowl filled with lettuce, sour cream, and cheese with only 5 grams of carbs. And don't forget Chipotle's guacamole, with just 8 grams of carbs.

If you prefer to have more control over your meal, you can customize your order at Chipotle. This means you can choose exactly what goes on your plate, making it a favorite choice for those seeking convenient low-carb dining options!

Jump to:

Some of the best keto-friendly Chipotle options
What is the carb content of Chipotle’s keto-friendly ingredients?
What to avoid at Chipotle if you're following a keto diet?
Understanding the nutrition of Chipotle's ingredients
Tips for enjoying a Chipotle keto meal
Conclusion
Explore these homemade keto Chipotle recipes
Frequently asked questions

Some of the best keto-friendly Chipotle options

When you're ordering at Chipotle, there are some tasty low-carb choices to consider:

Burrito bowls: Instead of using tortillas, these are served in a bowl. Just skip the regular rice and choose meat and low-carb toppings. This makes them a clear favorite.
Salads: You can get a keto-friendly salad bowl with romaine lettuce. Add some green salsa instead of the usual salad dressing to keep it low-carb. It's a wonderful way to enjoy more veggies.
Lifestyle Bowls: Chipotle offers special bowls like the Whole30, Paleo, or Keto Bowl. They fit perfectly with a ketogenic diet, and the Keto Bowl has only 6 grams of net carbs.
Cilantro lime cauliflower rice: Chipotle did have this option in 2021, but they've stopped serving it. It was a convenient choice, and many wish it would come back to the menu.

How can you customize the Chipotle bowl options for a keto diet?

Chipotle offers the flexibility to create any bowl to meet your dietary needs, with plenty of keto-friendly choices available. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to customize your keto meals at Chipotle:

Pick your protein: Start with low-carb protein options like chicken, steak, carnitas, or barbacoa. Avoid using rice or beans as the base.
Select your salsas: Choose salsas like tomatillo green chili, tomatillo red chili, or fresh tomato salsa, but only in moderate amounts. Stay away from salsas with higher sugar or carb content.
Add low-carb toppings: Fill your bowl with lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. These add healthy fats but remember to say no to beans, rice, or corn.
Extra customizations: You can ask for a side of tomatillo salsa instead of rice to make your meal even more special.
Choose your drink wisely: Stick with plain water, unsweetened tea, or diet soda, and avoid regular sugary drinks.

Here's an example of our favorite Chipotle keto bowl:

Half chicken, half steak
Salsa Fresca, red-chili salsa, tomatillo green-chili salsa
Sour cream, shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, and a small scoop of guacamole

It's a satisfying meal for a high-fat diet. Chipotle's low-carb options are appealing because they truly don't taste like typical diet food. Enjoy your meal!

What is the carb content of Chipotle’s keto-friendly ingredients?

Before you decide what to add to your keto Chipotle meal, it's crucial you know the total carb counts for each low-carb ingredient:

Chipotle protein options

Chicken (4 ounces): 0g net carbs
Steak (4 ounces): 0g net carbs
Barbacoa (4 ounces): 1g net carbs
Carnitas (4 ounces): 0g net carbs
Garlic guajillo steak (4 ounces): 1g net carbs
Sofritas (4 ounces): 6g net carbs (Sofritas can be good for a vegetarian bowl but might be a bit high for some keto diets. If you pick this, make sure the other toppings are very low in carbs.)

Chipotle salsa options

Fresh tomato salsa: 3g net carbs
Tomatillo green chili salsa: 4g net carbs
Tomatillo red chili salsa: 3g net carbs

Chipotle topping options

Shredded cheese: 1g net carbs
Sour cream: 2g net carbs
Queso Blanco(entrée): 4g net carbs
Guacamole (side): 2g net carbs
Shredded lettuce : 0g net carbs
Fajita veggies: 4g net carbs

Chipotle drink options

Coca-cola zero (one serving): 0g net carbs
Diet Coke: 0g net carbs
Chipotle iced tea: 3g net carbs

You can use the Chipotle nutritional calculator further down this post to see the exact net carbs for the meal you've created. This tool can help you stay on track with your keto diet and make your meal at Chipotle a guilt-free pleasure!

What to avoid at Chipotle if you're following a keto diet?

If you're following a keto diet, there are some dishes and ingredients at Chipotle that you'll want to stay away from:

Cilantro-lime white and brown rice: With white rice containing 39 net carbs and brown rice having 34, it's best to skip these options in your dish.
Beans: Both black beans (15 net carbs) and pinto beans (13 net carbs per serving) are too high in carbs for a keto diet, so it's best to avoid them.
Tortilla chips: Steer clear of flour tortillas, which pack a whopping 47 net carbs per serving. Corn tortillas are also off-limits.
Tacos and burritos: Since tacos and burritos are wrapped in carb-filled tortillas, you'll want to avoid these choices.
Roasted-chili corn salsa: Even though it might sound tasty, corn salsa has 13g net carbs in a 4-ounce serving. To keep your meal low-carb, it's best to skip this option.
Regular soda: Regular sodas and sweetened drinks can quickly add unwanted carbs to your meal, so it's best to opt for water or unsweetened beverages.
Chipotle honey vinaigrette: This dressing might catch you off guard with its 17g of net carbs. Instead of using this, ask for salsa or guacamole to add flavor to your meal without the extra carbs.

By keeping these high-carb options off your plate, you can enjoy a tasty and satisfying meal at Chipotle that fits right into your keto lifestyle.

Understanding the nutrition of Chipotle's ingredients

You can view the complete nutritional information for Chipotle's ingredients here. You can also use the Chipotle nutrition calculator to calculate the macros of your meal here.

Tips for enjoying a Chipotle keto meal

When ordering a keto-friendly meal at Chipotle, remember these helpful tips:

Mix and match proteins: Don't limit yourself to just one protein. Mixing and matching proteins like chicken, steak, carnitas, and barbacoa can create a rich and diverse flavor profile. For example, combining half chicken with half barbacoa adds both texture and flavor. Portion sizes for proteins typically come in 4-ounce servings, so balancing two choices keeps the meal exciting without overloading on carbs.
Create a keto burrito bowl: Forget the tortilla and create a satisfying burrito bowl tailored to your keto diet. Start with a base of lettuce and add protein, as mentioned above. Load up on low-carb toppings like guacamole, cheese, and salsa. Keep in mind that portion control matters, especially with ingredients like cheese and sour cream, which may add up if used excessively. A serving size of guacamole is usually about 2g net carbs, so monitor your additions to ensure you stay within your daily carb limit.
Be mindful about your salsa choices: Request a side portion of salsa instead of rice or beans to infuse your meal with flavor without the carbs. Choose salsas like tomatillo green chili or fresh tomato salsa, which typically contain 3-4g net carbs per serving. Be mindful of portion sizes; asking for a 2-ounce serving instead of 4 ounces can make a difference in carb counts.
Consider portion sizes: Keto dieting at Chipotle doesn't mean you have to skimp on the volume of your meal. You can enjoy a satisfying meal that fits your macros by being mindful of portion sizes and choosing the right combinations of proteins, vegetables, and low-carb extras. A great example would be to go for half a portion of two different proteins, add a moderate scoop of guacamole, and top it off with shredded lettuce and a small amount of salsa.

By following these strategies, your Chipotle visit can be delicious and align with your keto goals. Remember, Chipotle's customization options mean you have control over what goes on your plate. Enjoy the flexibility and keep your dietary needs front and center.

Conclusion

Chipotle stands out among fast food restaurants for its highly customizable menu. Keto dieters will find plenty of keto options at Chipotle to love, thanks to the easy access to healthy fats like creamy guacamole and the use of fresh, vibrant veggies.

Whether you crave extra cheese or a heaping serving of fajita veggies, Chipotle is ready to satisfy your taste buds without breaking your keto regimen.

So the next time you find yourself at Chipotle, don't forget to tag us @castiron_keto on IG and show off your delicious creation made following our guidelines on how to eat keto at Chipotle!

Explore these homemade keto Chipotle recipes

For those eager to bring the Chipotle experience into your kitchen, dive into our collection of Chipotle-inspired keto recipes at home:

Frequently asked questions

Eating keto at Chipotle is definitely possible. You can customize your meal with various low-carb ingredients like meat, cheese, and veggies to fit your keto diet. Their menu's flexibility makes Chipotle convenient for those following this dietary plan.

Ordering keto food at Chipotle is simple. Opt for a Chipotle keto salad bowl with meat, cheese, and low-carb vegetables, and skip the rice, beans, and tortillas.

Yes! Chipotle's guacamole is keto-friendly. A serving for a side/topping has only 2g of net carbs, while a large serving has 4g of net carbs.

Chipotle's Sofritas have the most net carbs — 6g net carbs per 4 ounces. It is so because it's not technically meat but organic shredded tofu.

Yes, Chipotle's sour cream is keto-friendly. A two-ounce serving has only 2g of net carbs.

Chipotle sauce's keto-friendliness varies by recipe or brand. Some may contain added sugars or thickeners, increasing the carb count. Always check the nutritional information or choose known keto-friendly options like salsa, especially at restaurants like Chipotle Mexican Grill, to ensure the sauce aligns with your keto dietary needs.