Where Can You Try Chipotle’s Plant-Based Chorizo?
The vegan protein, currently being tested in select markets, is the first since it debuted sofritas in 2014.
Photo courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle is experimenting with a new protein option! The chain announced that it is currently testing its own plant-based chorizo at locations in Denver and Indianapolis for a limited time. The new vegan menu item is the brand's first new plant-based protein option since sofritas debuted in 2014.
The plant-based chorizo has taken the Chipotle team about a year to perfect, and, like Chipotle’s other offerings, is made with only real ingredients. In this case, all of the ingredients are grown on a farm.
Per a press release, the meat-free chorizo boasts “a deep rich flavor” that comes from Ancho Chili and Chipotle peppers, ripe tomato paste, crushed garlic, Spanish smoked paprika and extra virgin olive oil. Those ingredients are then combined with natural protein sourced from freshly grown peas to “deliver a product that guests will love.”
In fact, Chipotle notes that its new protein is so tasty, it’s bound to appeal to meat-eaters and plant-eaters alike. The plant-based chorizo is certified vegan and never frozen. In addition to being meat-free and tasty, it’s good for you, too. Each serving contains 20 grams of muscle-building protein, and you won’t find any artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. It’s also made without grains, gluten or soy.
“Plant-based lifestyles have continued to accelerate in popularity, and as a longtime leader in the category, we are exploring ways to give more variety to our fans,” Chris Brandt, chief marketing officer at Chipotle said in a statement. “We used real ingredients to create a plant-based protein with a deep, rich chorizo flavor that can be enjoyed by everyone.”
To celebrate the launch, Chipotle is offering a $0 delivery fee on all plant-based chorizo orders made via the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com from August 19 through August 29.
Currently, the plant-based chorizo is only available in Denver and Indianapolis, but, because it is part of the California-based chain’s stage-gate process, it has a shot at becoming more widely available in the near future. This process allows the higher-ups at Chipotle to listen, test and learn from customer feedback and iterate before deciding on a national launch strategy.
Popular stage-gate process vets include the hand-crafted quesadilla, cilantro-lime cauliflower rice, carne asada, supergreens salad mix and queso blanco. All five of those beloved menu items were tested between 2019 and 2021.
Are you psyched that Chipotle is experimenting with more plant-based options?
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