Are Chipotle’s beans vegan-friendly?

Chipotle offers a variety of vegan options, but you may be curious whether their beans meet vegan standards. The uncertainty is valid since many Mexican eateries prepare beans with non-veg ingredients such as lard and chicken broth. Fortunately for those avoiding animal products, Chipotle’s beans are completely vegan.

This wasn’t the case in the past. In 2011, a customer named Seth Porges, who had dined at Chipotle for years, discovered that their pinto beans contained bacon, even though it wasn’t listed on the menus. As someone who refrained from pork for religious beliefs, Porges was both shocked and disgusted, leading him to voice his concerns on social media. In an unexpected turn, the chain acted swiftly to address the issue and avoid a significant PR problem. Initially, they placed signs in stores announcing with the pork content. Two years later, the company eliminated pork entirely from their beans. A spokesperson confirmed the change saying, “We are phasing in a new bacon-less pinto bean recipe […] we simply didn’t think the bacon added anything, and, by removing it, we make the pinto beans vegetarian” (per Consumerist).

Currently, both types of beans at Chipotle, pinto and black, are free of pork. They share similar recipes and achieve their flavors using ingredients like bay leaf, black pepper, chipotle chili, cumin, garlic, lemon juice, lime juice, onion, oregano, rice bran oil, and salt.

Chipotle’s black beans consist of five different types, including Condor and Black Magic beans, likely enhancing their subtle yet rich flavor. Their light beige pinto beans are equally tasty, offering a smoky richness that complements various other ingredients in your meal. If you’re undecided, you can mix both types of beans!

In addition to beans, the menu features numerous other vegan choices to craft your meal. You can select lard-free tortillas (either crispy corn or soft flour), cilantro-lime rice (white or brown), guacamole, and fajita veggies (a mix of onions and green bell peppers). All of the restaurant’s salsas are vegan too, including fresh tomato salsa (basic pico de gallo), tomatillo-green chili, tomatillo-red chili, and roasted chili-corn salsa.

One topping that might seem vegan but isn’t is the salad dressing. The chipotle-honey vinaigrette contains wildflower honey, which many vegans consider an animal product. Unfortunately, it’s the sole dressing available, so if you want to keep your salad vegan, opt for salsa and/or guacamole instead. Additionally, here’s a pro tip from the secret menu — you can request fresh cilantro on any dish at Chipotle for free.

Chipotle provides a bean-based choice that serves as its primary plant protein source. The sofritas, made from tofu sourced from soybeans, are crafted in partnership with Hodo Soy, which supplies U.S. grown, non-GMO, organic soybeans. This mildly spicy filling comprises shredded tofu braised with tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and spices. In 2022, Chipotle launched a vegan chorizo option made from pea protein, but it was discontinued in 2023.

All main menu items at Chipotle, excluding the quesadilla, can be made vegan by selecting either beans, sofritas, or fajita veggies. Options include burritos, burrito bowls, salads, and tacos. If you choose any of these with just veggies or beans, guacamole is included at no extra charge. However, when ordering with sofritas (or meat), guacamole incurs an extra fee. You may also utilize the Chipotle kids’ meal strategy, which is a money-saving opportunity. The kids’ menu presents two choices — one for a cheese quesadilla and the other for build-your-own tacos, which can be easily made vegan just like regular menu items.

For a straightforward way to order vegan at Chipotle, consider the two plant-based lifestyle bowls. Both include white rice, fajita veggies, fresh tomato salsa, roasted chili-corn salsa, and guacamole. The Veggie Full Bowl features black beans, while the Plant Powered Bowl comes with lettuce and sofritas.