Chipotle: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Chipotle makes vegetarian and vegan eating about as simple as fast food gets. The build-your-own format means you control every ingredient, and sofritas, a seasoned tofu protein, is officially labeled vegan and vegetarian approved by the chain itself.

What to order at Chipotle

Order sofritas as your protein for a genuine plant-based main, or stack black beans and pinto beans instead, both of which skip the lard some Tex-Mex chains hide in their pintos. Round it out with cilantro-lime rice or brown rice, fajita vegetables, guacamole, and any of the salsas, all of which are vegan. A loaded veggie bowl or burrito with these ingredients is Chipotle’s other big vegetarian win. Tortilla chips, the flour and corn tortillas, and the Supergreens blend of kale and spinach are all vegan too, so there’s no shortage of ways to round out a bowl or salad.

What to watch out for

Cheese, queso, sour cream, and the Chipotle-Honey Vinaigrette and Adobo Ranch sauces all contain dairy or egg, so skip those if you’re vegan. The shared grill and fryer surfaces carry a cross-contact flag, worth knowing if that’s a concern for you. Chipotle’s own table is conservative on purpose, marking an item vegan only when two or more sources confirm it, and menus and limited-time sauces vary by market, so it’s worth checking the official allergen guide or asking at your local location before you order something specific.