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19 Copycat Chipotle Vegan Recipes To Make At Home

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There are 43 vegan ingredients in Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants that you can mix and match. However, if you want to try your hand at cooking Mexican food but don’t have the time to scout the internet for the best recipes, this list is for you. We’ve compiled the 19 finest copycat Chipotle vegan recipes that you can easily make at home.

Table of Contents hide
1. Chipotle vegan options
2. Vegan copycat recipes

Chipotle vegan options

Is it easy to eat vegan at Chipotle? 

Deciding what to eat doesn’t have to be a task with all the vegan ingredients that Chipotle offers. Can you believe that out of the 53 ingredients that can be chosen to make a meal, a whopping 43 are vegan? Yes, we counted! As long as you skim a few ingredients like chicken, steak, pork, cheeses, honey, and cream, you’re pretty much good to go. 

With so many possibilities, it’s a piece of cake to make a whole Chipotle vegan meal by selecting your type, base, toppings, and sides.

Types

Chipotle attracts a large number of vegan customers in huge part due to all of its types being vegan-friendly. When building your meal, you can select anything from a burrito, burrito bowl, lifestyle bowl, and a quesadilla to a taco, or salad.

  • Burrito tortillas are prepared using corn, flour, and a variety of other vegan components.
  • Tacos make a great option if you’re craving something lighter than a burrito as they hold fewer toppings. Chipotle serves tacos in two varieties: soft flour tortillas and crispy corn tortillas, both of which are vegan.
  • Burrito bowls (the below photo is a copycat recipe) are a godsend for folks who want everything in a burrito except the tortillas. These bowls are made using rice and romaine lettuce as the base, and you may top them with any of the Chipotle vegan toppings listed below.
  • Salads, on the other hand, are a fantastic option if you want a dinner that isn’t as filling as burrito bowls.
A large white plate in the middle with colorful ingredients like black beans, corn, shredded cheese, bell pepper strips, rice, shredded lettuce, avocado.

Bases

If you’re vegan, you should avoid the base components barbacoa (beef), carnitas (pork), pollo asado (chicken), and steak at Chipotle.

The sofritas, however, which are made from organic shredded tofu cooked with Chipotle chilies, roasted poblanos, and a variety of other spices, are a lifesaver. This smoky-chile flavor base gives anything from burritos to tacos and even salads that much-appreciated kick. (The below photo is a copycat recipe.)

A black cast iron skillet from above with yellow brown pieces in a red chunky sauce. There is a wooden spatula with a smiley face on it placed across the sides.

If you are not a fan of the Chipotle tofu-based sofritas, don’t worry: beans are perfect vegan protein options. The Chipotle black beans and pinto beans bring an authentic Mexican flavor to the table, allowing you to truly let loose and indulge. Black beans are ideal for those who enjoy a nutty texture and an earthy flavor. Pinto beans, on the other hand, are softer and creamier, making them an ideal complement to lifestyle bowls and salads.

The limited-edition plant-based chorizo (that was launched in January 2022) is packed with pea protein goodness and rich flavors of Chipotle peppers, tomato paste, garlic, and smoky paprika. Pea Protein, a plant-based protein that comes from ground-up yellow split peas, is the star of this base. It’s the perfect amount of chewy and goes nicely with the Vegan Lifestyle Bowl or the Whole30 Salad Bowl, making it even easier to eat vegan at Chipotle.

Toppings and sides

Chipotle is a vegan haven when it comes to its array of toppings and sides. For starters, I think we can all agree that Chipotle’s flavorful rice complements every Mexican dish it serves! The cilantro-lime rice, with both white rice and brown rice, is a vegan item that pairs well with nearly everything; burritos, tacos, bowls, salads, burritos – you name it!

If you want to add a pop of color to your meal, choose the fajita vegetables (the below photo is a copycat recipe), which are essentially green bell peppers and red onions that are grilled to perfection with oregano.

Black frying pan with red yellow green bell pepper strips, and onion slices after frying.

On a similar note, adding some romaine lettuce will not only enhance the look but also add a crunch to your dish. And if you’re feeling particularly ambivalent (and adventurous), try the Supergreens Lettuce Blend, which comprises hand-cut romaine lettuce, baby kale, and crisp baby spinach.

The best part about Chipotle’s vegan toppings is that you can customize the spice level of your meal with the many salsa selections made available. While the fresh tomato salsa is mild, the tomatillo green-chili salsa and the roasted chili-corn salsa are somewhat spicy. If you enjoy a little bit of a challenge, the tomatillo red-chili salsa is the way to go.

Chipotle’s tortilla chips are yet another excellent side dish that is fully vegan. They can be eaten on their own or with guacamole or salsa dip.

When building your meal at Chipotle, be wary of these animal-based menu items: shredded Monterey cheese, sour cream, queso blanco, and honey vinaigrette. 

Desserts 

Finding desserts can be hard as a vegan as most of them contain dairy, and the cheesecake and ice cream at Chipotle are a testament to this. But don’t fret just yet, because here comes the buñuelo to save the day!

Buñuelos are flour pockets that are topped with cinnamon sugar, honey, and apple caramel sauce. Now I know what you’re thinking, “honey?!” Just opt for yours without the sweetener and replace it with one of these honey substitutes, and you’re golden.

Vegan copycat recipes

There’s no denying that Chipotle has more than enough vegan-friendly options to choose from that allow you to enjoy your meal there worry-free. However, having some Chipotle vegan copycat recipes on hand can be more useful than you think. Our list of 19 top recipes will help save you money and avoid the urge to eat out so often!

A black cast iron skillet from above with yellow brown pieces in a red chunky sauce. There is a wooden spatula with a smiley face is stirring the middle.
Copycat Chipotle Sofritas
My Pure Plants
Chewy and earthy, sofritas are a versatile component that goes great with tacos, burritos, Mexican bowls, and salads. In our recipe, we substitute the traditional and difficult-to-find poblano peppers with smoked sweet paprika and hot chili powder. So, if you're looking for something that's easy to make but tastes just like Chipotle's sofritas, look no further than this!
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A large white plate in the middle with colorful ingredients like black beans, corn, shredded cheese, bell pepper strips, rice, shredded lettuce, avocado.
Copycat Chipotle Veggie Bowl
Nandor Barta
Take it from us, this colorful veggie bowl recipe is the best vegan burrito bowl there is! Each of the nine components has a deep Tex-Mex taste that comes together beautifully to make a balanced meal. While not the quickest dish to make, this copycat Chipotle veggie bowl can be prepared in big batches ahead of time and is ideal for individuals who enjoy meal prep.
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A hand is holding one of the four rainbow coloured round-shaped rolls from above. Inside red, yellow, brown, green and white pieces.
Copycat Chipotle Veggie Burrito
Emese Maczko
Do you love experiencing a burst of flavors with each bite of your meal? We've created the perfect Chipotle copycat veggie burrito that will not disappoint you. This burrito comes together with only nine easy-to-make foods, including sofritas, cilantro rice, beans, fajita veggies, salsa, and guacamole.
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Vegan Carnitas (Portobello Mushrooms)
This vegan carnitas recipe from Veggies Don't Bite replaces pork with portobello mushrooms, which results in a delightfully tender and juicy interior with golden-brown crisp edges. It's a recipe that is ideal for Cinco de Mayo gatherings but does require some patience to master. Try this vegan pulled pork made with oyster mushrooms if shredded portobello mushrooms aren't your thing.
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Vegan Barbacoa
With this tender, smoky, and spicy vegan barbacoa, you'll fall in love with Mexican food all over again. This hearty and tasty one-pot recipe from The Minimalist Baker combines lentils, carrots, onions, and garlic to bring out the flavors of chipotle peppers, smoky paprika, cumin, and cloves. We’re sure it will be your go-to recipe when you're trying to win hearts with your vegan cooking.
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Homemade Vegan Chorizo
Why settle for mediocre store-bought chorizo when you can make your own in under 30 minutes? Ideal for when you want to whip up something super quick, this soy chorizo from Veggie Chick will have your family licking their plates clean. The Chipotle knock-off recipe uses a few simple ingredients and makes a fantastic addition to tacos, burritos, nacho-dip, and even a Mexican-inspired lasagna.
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Copycat Chipotle Black Beans
Mexican food, like a Chipotle recipes list, is incomplete without beans. To master this classic, black beans, onion, chipotle pepper, oregano, bay leaf, and some lime juice are all you need. These one-skillet, easy-to-make black beans from Culinary Hill are ideal for meal preps as they can be frozen for up to three months. So hurry up and get to the recipe if you want to make some today.
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Copycat Chipotle Pinto Beans
If you prefer your beans soft and creamy, we're sure you favor pinto beans over black beans at Chipotle. These pinto beans from Culinary Hill are made with minimal ingredients and make an excellent addition to a homemade Chipotle knock-off meal. It’s a terrific idea to cook both beans if you have family members with different preferences. Culinary Hill makes this easy as all the ingredients are virtually the same, save for the beans
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A large white plate in the middle with colorful ingredients like black beans, corn, shredded cheese, bell pepper strips, rice, shredded lettuce, avocado.
Cilantro Lime Rice
Nandor Barta
Simple, fresh, and zesty! That's everything we considered when creating this cilantro lime rice recipe for you. If you're tired of adding plain rice to your burritos and bowls, try this refreshing combination of rice, cilantro, and lime. You're mistaken if you believe this no-fuss recipe is only good for Mexican dishes. We guarantee it'll be making its way into the rotation!
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Chipotle Cauliflower Rice
Looking for a low-carb alternative to cilantro lime rice with the same flavors? Swap the rice for cauliflower and you’re good to go! Roast the cauliflower, chop it up, and add in the lime and cilantro, and ta-da. It’s as simple as that – as lemony and herby as you like! Recipe from THE VGN Way.
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Yellow, red and green bell peppers slices seasoned with red spices on a white parchment paper
Sheet Pan Fajita Veggies
My Pure Plants
Nothing screams Tex-Mex like a bowl of fajita veggies. This no-fuss, one-sheet pan recipe is the best if you like your veggies as we do: tender-crisp with a dash of spice. With a secret homemade spice mix, we've given this Chipotle imitation recipe our own twist. So don't miss giving it a try!
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A large white plate in the middle with colorful ingredients like black beans, corn, shredded cheese, bell pepper strips, rice, shredded lettuce, avocado.
Chipotle Guacamole
Nandor Barta
What’s a better comfort food dip than some good old guacamole? There are so many different ways to make it: chunky or creamy, hot or mild, loaded with onions or plain, the choice is really yours! No matter how you customize it, our copycat Chipotle guac recipe takes less than five minutes to make and demands only six ingredients.
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Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa
This copycat Chipotle roasted chili-corn salsa from Make it Dairy-free is everything you need for a movie night if you’re trying to cut down on snacking. You’ll be surprised to learn that the poblano peppers, not the corn, must be roasted in this recipe. It's brilliant on its own as well as in tacos, burritos, and salads.
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Fresh Tomato Salsa (Pico De Gallo)
Add some oomph to your Mexican dishes with a fresh punch from this Pico De Gallo from Budget Delicious. If you love Chipotle, you already know how delicious their fresh tomato salsa is. The tanginess of tomatoes is wonderfully balanced with onions and jalapenos, enhancing the flavor of your dish. This recipe calls for six simple ingredients that you probably already have at home, so don't miss out!
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Tomatillo Green Salsa
If you’re bored of your regular salsa and want to spice things up a bit, this tomatillo green salsa from Intentionally Eat delivers, and how! Tomatillos are more acidic and sharp-tasting than tomatoes, but mellow down and sweeten when cooked. It perfectly complements any Mexican meal and will be a sure hit with your family.
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Tomatillo Green Chili Salsa
Chipotle's tomatillo green-chili salsa from Home-Cooked Roots is a crowd favorite and can be made at home in a trice. Ideal for busy weekdays and impromptu parties, this recipe uses canned tomatillos and peppers, eliminating the hassle of cleaning up. It's simple, delicious, and savory!
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Vegan Sour Cream
Emese Maczko
Yes, you read that right! Sour cream is arguably the one thing that vegans miss the most and we hear your struggles loud and clear. That’s why we’ve created a simple plant-based sour cream recipe that is not only vegan but also nut-free! This unique recipe blends sunflower seeds with lemon juice, vinegar, and salt to create a perfectly creamy sour cream.
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Yellow sauce in a black bowl topped with red veggie chunks, sliced green pepper and green leaves of herbs. A tortilla chips is dipped in it. Other tortilla chips are scattered around.
Vegan Queso Dip
Nandor Barta
Our delectable queso dip recipe takes only twenty minutes to prepare and includes vegetables, sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast, and all of your favorite seasonings. Super creamy and flavorful, this recipe is a great addition to any copycat chipotle recipes.
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3 rolled tortillas on top of one flat placed on a light blue plate
High Protein Grain-free Tortillas
Emese Maczko
Both the flour and corn tortillas at Chipotle are vegan. However, if you're looking for a high protein, grain-free, and gluten-free tortilla recipe, this is it. Perfected after tons of trials, our recipe uses two key ingredients to produce fluffy, rollable, and extremely satiating tortillas. Spend some time making these tortillas for your next Mexican meal, and we guarantee you'll be mmm-ing till the very last bite.
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  1. Cindy

    Wow! I don’t know where to start, but I can’t wait! It all looks amazing!

    Reply

  2. Bintu | Budget Delicious

    Such a tasty selection of recipes – thanks ever so much for including my salsa!

    Reply