The Shift from Romaine to Supergreens
For many years, Chipotle's salad bowls featured a base of chopped romaine lettuce. This was a straightforward, crisp foundation for the various toppings. However, in January 2020, the company made a significant menu change by introducing its new "Supergreens" salad mix. The strategic move was part of a broader push toward promoting healthier eating options and aligning with dietary trends like keto, paleo, and Whole30. The new blend was designed to provide customers with a more nutritious and flavorful salad experience.
What Exactly Is in the Supergreens Blend?
The Supergreens mix is a proprietary blend created by Chipotle to serve as the default base for all its salad bowls. As its name implies, it combines several different leafy greens to create a more dynamic texture and nutritional profile. The blend consists of three primary ingredients:
- Romaine Lettuce: The original salad base, still included for its signature crisp texture.
- Baby Kale: A slightly bitter, earthy green packed with vitamins.
- Baby Spinach: A delicate green known for its smooth texture and high nutritional value.
This combination ensures that customers get the familiar crunch of romaine while also receiving the added health benefits and complex flavors of kale and spinach. While the Supergreens mix is the standard, customers can still request plain chopped romaine lettuce for their tacos or if they prefer it over the new mix.
Why Did Chipotle Make the Switch?
The decision to update the salad base was driven by several factors, including evolving consumer preferences and a strategic alignment with the company's "Food with Integrity" mission. By adding baby kale and baby spinach, Chipotle aimed to offer a more nutrient-dense option without sacrificing taste. The change also coincided with the launch of their digitally exclusive Lifestyle Bowls, which cater to specific diet plans. The inclusion of Supergreens was a key component of these new, health-focused offerings.
Comparing the Old vs. New Salad Base
| Feature | Old Salad Base (Pre-2020) | New Salad Base (Supergreens) |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | 100% Romaine Lettuce | Romaine Lettuce, Baby Kale, Baby Spinach |
| Nutritional Profile | Primarily Vitamin K and Folate | Higher in Vitamins A, C, K, Iron, and other micronutrients |
| Flavor | Mild and crisp | More complex, with earthy and slightly bitter notes from the kale and spinach |
| Texture | Uniformly crisp | Varied, with a mix of tender leaves and crunchy romaine |
| Availability | Available as the standard salad base | Standard salad base for bowls, but romaine is an option for tacos |
The Role of Lettuce in Chipotle's Menu Today
Today, lettuce plays a specific role in Chipotle's offerings. The Supergreens blend is the default for salad bowls, which are often complemented with toppings like beans, salsa, meat, and the signature chipotle-honey vinaigrette. For those who prefer a simpler green or are ordering tacos, chopped romaine is still readily available. This dual availability gives customers flexibility in customizing their orders according to their preferences or dietary needs.
How to Customize Your Lettuce Experience
For those who love the classic crunch of romaine, there are still options for incorporating it into your meal:
- Order a Salad Bowl: When ordering a salad bowl, the Supergreens mix will be the default. You can specifically request plain romaine, but this may depend on individual restaurant stock and employee discretion.
- Order Tacos: The standard practice for tacos is to use chopped romaine as the green topping. This is a consistent and reliable way to get romaine lettuce with your meal.
- Request on the Side: Some customers ask for a side of chopped romaine to mix into their bowl, giving them control over the green-to-topping ratio.
Nutritional Breakdown of Chipotle Salads
Regardless of which green base you choose, a Chipotle salad can be a nutrient-rich meal, depending on your additions. A typical salad bowl with Supergreens, a protein, beans, and salsa can be a good source of protein, fiber, and essential vitamins like A and C. However, adding high-calorie ingredients like cheese, sour cream, guacamole, or the vinaigrette dressing can significantly increase the calorie, fat, and sodium content. For instance, a salad with chicken, beans, salsa, cheese, and vinaigrette can have significantly more calories than a simpler version. Making mindful choices about toppings is crucial for managing the nutritional impact of your meal.
Conclusion
So, does Chipotle salad have lettuce? The answer is a definitive yes, but with a modern twist. The base for all salad bowls is now the nutrient-dense Supergreens blend, which includes romaine lettuce along with baby kale and baby spinach. This shift reflects Chipotle's commitment to offering healthier and more diverse ingredients to its customers. While the classic romaine is still available for tacos, the Supergreens mix provides an upgraded, flavorful, and more nutritious option for salad bowl enthusiasts. Customers can enjoy the benefit of added nutrients from kale and spinach while still getting the familiar crunch of romaine. The change offers a healthier foundation for a highly customizable and delicious meal.
Authoritative Link: For a complete list of all ingredients used by Chipotle, including the Supergreens mix, their official ingredients list is the most reliable source of information.
