Chipotle Mexican Grill is a popular fast casual restaurant chain that serves Tex-Mex inspired cuisine. One of the staples on their menu is a burrito or burrito bowl, which allows customers to choose between rice, beans, meat, salsa, and other toppings. But what kind of rice does Chipotle actually use in their restaurants? The answer may surprise you.
Why Rice Is Important at Chipotle
Rice is one of the key ingredients and accompaniments at Chipotle. It provides an essential base for burrito bowls and helps to absorb flavors and add texture. The rice balances out the other ingredients like meats, beans, salsas, and vegetables. Having high-quality, tasty rice is important for the overall customer experience at Chipotle. The company goes through a tremendous amount of rice each year across all of its restaurants. So the type of rice Chipotle chooses has a major impact on their food quality and expenses.
Chipotle’s Rice Changed Over Time
Originally when Chipotle first opened in 1993, they used basic long grain white rice in their burritos and bowls. But in 1999, Chipotle switched to brown rice in an effort to provide a healthier whole grain option. Customers liked the brown rice and it became the predominant option at Chipotle for many years. In 2014, the company began testing out new recipes and varieties of rice to determine if an even better option was available. They wanted rice that tasted better while still being healthy and fitting their food philosophy.
The Winning Rice Recipe
After considerable testing, Chipotle settled on a new signature rice recipe and variety to be rolled out chainwide. They called this new rice “Cilantro-Lime Rice”. It is now their standard white rice offering. To create Cilantro-Lime Rice, Chipotle uses extra long grain white rice and cooks it in water with added lime juice, olive oil, salt, and cilantro. The lime and cilantro give the rice a citrusy and fresh herbal flavor that sets it apart from plain white rice. It adds flavor complexity without adding too many extra calories. The cilantro-lime rice has significantly more taste than the previous brown or white rice recipes, which customers had considered bland.
How Chipotle’s Rice is Prepared
All of Chipotle’s restaurants follow precise recipes and protocols to prepare the Cilantro-Lime Rice and make sure it is consistent. The white rice is first rinsed and then combined with water, lime juice, and salt before being cooked. Fresh chopped cilantro is added after cooking when the rice is fluffed. The rice is then kept heated throughout the day in each restaurant. Portion scoops are used to ensure each customer gets the right amount of rice. By following these steps, Chipotle aims to serve fresh and flavorful rice every time.
The Rice Suppliers for Chipotle
Chipotle obtains their extra long grain white rice from two main suppliers in the United States. These are major rice mills that can meet Chipotle’s high standards and large demand at thousands of locations.
Riviana Foods Inc.
One major supplier is Riviana Foods Inc. based in Houston, Texas. Riviana is the largest processor and marketer of rice in the United States. They are a subsidiary of Ebro Foods SA, a Spanish food company. Riviana supplies and ships rice to Chipotle’s distribution centers around the country in bulk.
Farmers’ Rice Cooperative
The other major rice supplier for Chipotle is Farmers’ Rice Cooperative. This is a cooperative of rice farmers located in Sacramento, California. Farmers’ Rice Cooperative produces, mills, packages and markets rice. They have a vertically integrated operation that allows them to sell directly to large buyers like Chipotle.
Both Riviana Foods and Farmers’ Rice Cooperative provide Chipotle with high volume extra long grain rice that can be prepared using their recipes while matching their standards for food quality. These sources ensure a consistent supply of rice is available for all Chipotle restaurants.
Nutrition Facts of Chipotle’s Rice
Chipotle customers often wonder about the nutrition facts of various menu items. Here is a nutrition label overview for a standard serving of Cilantro-Lime Rice from Chipotle:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 210 |
| Total Fat | 0.5g |
| Sodium | 300mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 46g |
| Protein | 4g |
As you can see, a standard serving of Cilantro-Lime Rice contains 210 calories. It has 46 grams of total carbohydrates as the predominant macronutrient. This includes 2 grams of fiber and less than 1 gram of sugar. There is 4 grams of protein. The sodium content per serving is 300 milligrams.
Compared to brown rice, the cilantro-lime rice has slightly more calories and carbs due to being less nutrient-dense. However, Chipotle wanted to provide an option that had more flavor. The cilantro and lime add lots of taste without significantly increasing calories.
Cilantro-Lime Rice Nutrition Advantages
Some key nutritional advantages of Chipotle’s Cilantro-Lime Rice compared to plain white rice include:
– Higher fiber from whole grains
– Added flavor from cilantro and lime means less need to add high sodium or high calorie sauces or toppings for taste
– Lime juice adds vitamin C
– Phytonutrients and antioxidants from fresh cilantro
– No butter or oils needed in preparation
Ordering Rice at Chipotle
When you order a burrito, burrito bowl, tacos, or other entree at Chipotle, you have the option to choose white or brown rice. Here are some ordering tips:
– The standard white rice offering is the Cilantro-Lime Rice recipe
– Brown rice is available if you prefer a whole grain option
– Order brown or white rice in a bowl or burrito
– Say “half and half” if you want both rices mixed together
– Rice is unlimited as an entree side option
– Extra rice can be ordered as a side portion for an added cost
– Vegetarian entrees can be created using rice, beans, veggies, and salsa
Copying Chipotle’s Rice Recipe
If you want to recreate Chipotle’s signature rice recipe at home, follow these steps:
Ingredients:
– 1 cup uncooked extra long grain white rice
– 1 3/4 cups water
– 1 tablespoon lime juice
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions:
1. Rinse rice in a mesh strainer until water runs clear. Add rinsed rice and water to a pot. Bring to a boil.
2. Once boiling, reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
3. Remove rice from heat and add lime juice and salt. Fluff rice with a fork.
4. Fold in chopped cilantro. Serve warm.
Conclusion
So in the end, the rice served at Chipotle is no longer your average white or brown rice. The fresh and tasty Cilantro-Lime Rice sets their food apart while still maintaining the convenience and nutrition customers expect. Using extra long grain rice, lime, cilantro, and the right prep methods, Chipotle has come up with a signature rice recipe that perfectly complements their Mexican cuisine. The rice has become an integral part of the Chipotle experience that customers have come to know and love. So whether you’re getting a burrito, bowl, taco, or salad, don’t forget to savor Chipotle’s special rice blend.