I have been to Chipotle exactly one time.
It’s borderline ridiculous that it took me until last April to try it out. After all, I’d heard great reviews about this restaurant. We just don’t eat out much unless we’re traveling.
After our (one and only) great experience there, we will definitely put this on our list of restaurants to find when we’re on the road. But in the meantime, we’ve started “making Chipotle” at home for easy Sunday lunches after church. It’s not much different, I suppose, than a regular Burrito Bar in which I’ve set out fixin’s and everyone fills a tortilla. But copying the Chipotle idea means I add a few burrito fillings that I hadn’t added before.
This has been great for our family, but even better when we have guests over. Everyone can make their burrito however they like. I personally skip the tortilla and make a big Burrito Bowl. So yum.
Build a Burrito Bar (Like Chipotle)
Here are the food items we like on our burrito bar:
- Salsa Chicken
- Seasoned Hamburger Meat
- Brown Rice (seasoned with chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and a splash of lime juice)
- Black Beans and or Pinto Beans
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Sauted onions and peppers
- Mixed Greens or Spinach
- Shredded Cheese
- Tomatoes
- Olives
- Corn
- Sour Cream
- Tortillas
I think one of the best aspects of setting up this Burrito Bar is that I can get my entire family in on prepping it. I try to have the meat and rice made the day before so we can quickly warm them up when we get home from church. We all work together to cut and shred and dice – and within just a few minutes we can sit down to lunch!
Here are other “Build a _______ Bar” ideas I’ve shared:
- Build a Brownie Sundae Bar
- Build a Fruit Salad Bar
- Build a Pasta Salad Bar
- Build a Breakfast Burrito Bar
- Build an Iced Coffee Bar
Let me know if I’ve forgotten anything that you would have added to the “Burrito Bar” list! Also, help me think of other “Build a ______ Bar” ideas!
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You left off my favorite Chipotle topping – fajita veggies! Basically slivered onion and bell peppers sautéed, but they add awesome flavor. I would love to know how they make their steak and their carnitas. I love both of them. We eat Chipotle pretty often. At home, I like to heat my tortillas in a dry iron skillet. We love Mexicsn food. :)
Thank you! I’ll add that in. My one and only trip there – I should have taken notes on all they offer! :)
One of our favorite breakfasts is build your own yogurt bowl bar. The kids love sprucing up plain yogurt with all their favorite toppings, and I love not having to cook!
Really like this burrito bar idea, will definitely give it a try. Thanks Laura!
Do look up Chipotle copycat recipes! The salty rice with cilantro (and bay leaf! Who knew?) And carnitas! So good. It’s terribly expensive and the lines are always long in our city. I love making it at home.
We just started this 3 weeks ago. I call it Taco Sunday. I put cooked ground beef and pinto beans with taco seasoning in the crock pot on low. We like to add corn, black beans, shredded lettuce, cheese, sour cream, salsa and lime juice. I buy the 6lb can of corn and freeze in baggies and then I cook up a huge crock pot of black beans and freeze in baggies. All that’s left is shred some lettuce and cheese and pull out the rest.
This past Sunday, I threw in some half-frozen chicken and a few tablespoons of taco seasoning and left it on high. Got home and stirred in beans and corn. It was good also. Served with fresh strawberries and blueberries.
So quick and easy! We used to have to tuna sandwiches on Sundays!! No comparison. :)
Squares of (cooked) sweet potato! My FAVorite burrito ingredient. Mmmm…
My daughter loves Chipotle…..I’m good with Taco Bell lol…..and never a big line there either…..
You Nana is very pretty, she sure doesn’t look like she is almost 90…..what is her secret ????
Cilantro lime rice is the best! Or Pico De Gallo with Cilantro. Or fresh Cilantro as a topping. They have a corn salsa I like too. Oh, and your nacho sauce would be good to link here.
We don’t have a Chipotle as close as we have QDOBA, Moe’s, and a new locally owned place called Bohio. All are pretty close to Chipotle-fare, but we still make this at home pretty often!
What were the total amounts of the following items did you purchase to feed 50 people for a nacho bar?
Tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, rice, lettuce, refried beans and cheese
We love jalapeños and spicy queso on our burrito bar. Also we do baked potato bars especially at church potlucks. bacon, sour cream, broccoli, cheese etc.
YUM! Thanks for the suggestions!
-Bethany (Laura’s assistant)