Chipotle Spices Up Its “Grain” Options with Mexican Cauliflower Rice
The pilot item is seasoned with a signature blend of spices including garlic, cumin, salt and paprika.
Photo courtesy of Chipotle
For plant eaters, carb watchers and dieters of all stripes, cauliflower is a menu staple. So it’s not surprising to learn that Chipotle, following the successful launch of its Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice in 2021, is looking to expand its plant-based options with a second take on cauliflower rice.
The Mexican grill chain is introducing, for a limited time, Mexican Cauliflower Rice at 60 restaurants in Arizona, California and Wisconsin — presumably with an eye toward possible future expansion.
Savory and spicy, Mexican Cauliflower Rice will be prepared daily in the restaurants, with fresh cauliflower rice “grilled in small batches on the plancha” and then “seasoned with a signature blend of spices including garlic, cumin, salt and paprika to give it the rich flavor and vibrant hue of Mexican rice,” according to Chipotle.
Designed as an easy, healthy, grain-free menu option, especially for those adhering to diets ranging from Keto and Paleo to vegetarian and vegan, Mexican Cauliflower Rice can be ordered as a side with an entree or on its own.
With this pilot launch, Chipotle aims to build on the success of Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice, which, according to the company, has lifted sales and attracted new customers since its introduction across all U.S. and Canadian locations in January 2021.
“Chipotle estimates that one in five Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice orders in January 2021 was from guests trying Chipotle for the first time,” the chain said.
“After the success of our Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice last year, we are eager to test a second plant-powered start for any go to order,” Nevielle Panthaky, vice president of culinary at Chipotle, said in a news release. “Our guests crave real, plant-based options so we developed a new flavor-packed recipe that aligns with our Food with Integrity standards.”
Through June 21, Chipotle customers in the 60 restaurants involved in the pilot program can avail themselves of a $0 delivery fee offer on orders of $10 or more that include Mexican Cauliflower Rice.
The rest of us, well, we’ll just have to wait …
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