Is Chipotle good for carbs? The Definitive Guide to Low-Carb Ordering

October 19, 2025 •

4 min read

With a standard Chipotle burrito easily exceeding 150 grams of carbohydrates, many people wonder: Is Chipotle good for carbs? The answer lies entirely in your choices, as this guide will show you how to customize your order for a low-carb diet.

Quick Summary

Yes, Chipotle can be good for carbs with the right customization. Learn how to build low-carb bowls or salads by selecting the best bases, proteins, and toppings while avoiding high-carb options like tortillas and rice.

Key Points

Choose a bowl or salad over a burrito: Avoiding the large flour tortilla, which contains around 50 grams of carbs, is the most crucial step for a low-carb meal.
Skip the rice and beans: White rice, brown rice, black beans, and pinto beans are high-carb ingredients that should be avoided on a strict low-carb diet.
Load up on low-carb toppings: Prioritize fajita vegetables, lettuce, and specific salsas (like fresh tomato) to add flavor and nutrients without significant carbs.
Select the right protein: Chicken, steak, carnitas, and barbacoa are all excellent low-carb protein options to make your meal filling and satisfying.
Use the nutrition calculator: For precise carb counting, use Chipotle's online nutrition calculator to build and track your custom meal.

For those following a low-carb diet, navigating fast-casual restaurants can be a challenge. With its customizable menu, Chipotle offers significant flexibility, but it's crucial to know which ingredients to choose and which to skip. The difference between a high-carb burrito and a low-carb bowl is purely a matter of component selection.

The High-Carb culprits: What to Avoid

To keep your carb count in check, you must first identify and avoid the main sources of carbohydrates on the menu. The primary items responsible for high carb totals are tortillas, rice, beans, and certain salsas.

Tortillas

A large flour tortilla used for a burrito contains about 50 grams of carbohydrates alone, instantly making it a high-carb meal. Avoiding the burrito is the most important step for a low-carb meal.

Rice

Both cilantro-lime white and brown rice are significant carb sources. A standard scoop of either can add over 30 grams of carbohydrates to your bowl.

Beans

Although they provide fiber and protein, both black beans and pinto beans are relatively high in carbohydrates. For strict low-carb diets, they are best avoided or consumed in very small portions.

Corn Salsa

While most of Chipotle's salsas are low-carb, the roasted chili-corn salsa contains a higher carb count due to the sugar and starch content of corn. One serving adds around 16 grams of carbohydrates.

Chips and Vinaigrette

The tortilla chips are a clear no-go for a low-carb meal. Similarly, the honey-lime vinaigrette can add 12 grams of sugar and extra carbs to a salad.

Building Your Low-Carb Chipotle Meal

The key to a satisfying, low-carb meal at Chipotle is building a bowl or salad with the right combination of ingredients. This approach allows you to maximize flavor and satiety while keeping carbohydrates low.

1. Start with a Low-Carb Base

Salad: The supergreens lettuce blend (romaine, kale, and spinach) or just romaine lettuce is the ideal low-carb base, offering minimal carbs and added nutrients.
Bowl (no rice): Opting for a bowl with no rice or beans is the next best option. Some locations may offer cilantro-lime cauliflower rice, though its availability can be limited.

2. Choose Your Protein

Most proteins are excellent choices for a low-carb diet. Focus on these for your main source of protein and fat.

Steak: At around 1g of carbs per serving, the steak is a top low-carb protein choice.
Chicken: The grilled chicken is another great option, with a similar low carb count to steak.
Carnitas: This shredded pork is also a solid choice for a low-carb bowl.
Barbacoa: While slightly higher in sugar than steak or chicken, it's still a low-carb option.

3. Load Up on Veggies and Toppings

To boost flavor and add nutrients without adding many carbs, pile on these toppings:

Fajita Vegetables: Sautéed onions and bell peppers add fiber and flavor with only 5g of carbs per serving.
Salsas: The fresh tomato, tomatillo green-chili, and tomatillo red-chili salsas are all very low in carbs.
Guacamole: A great source of healthy fats, guacamole is low in carbs (8g per side, 6g of which is fiber) and provides satiety.
Cheese and Sour Cream: These toppings add flavor and richness. They are also low in carbs, but be mindful of portion sizes as they add calories and saturated fat.
Queso Blanco: A side of queso blanco is also a low-carb, high-fat option.

High-Carb Burrito vs. Custom Low-Carb Bowl: A Comparison

The following table illustrates the dramatic difference in carbohydrate content between a typical burrito and a custom-built low-carb bowl.


Ingredient	Typical Burrito (High-Carb)	Custom Bowl (Low-Carb)
Base	Flour Tortilla (50g), White Rice (40g)	Supergreens Mix (3g)
Protein	Chicken (1g)	Chicken (1g)
Beans	Black Beans (22g)	None
Veggies/Toppings	Fajita Veggies (5g), Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa (16g), Cheese (<1g)	Fajita Veggies (5g), Fresh Tomato Salsa (4g), Guacamole (8g), Cheese (<1g)
Total Carbs (approx.)	135g	21g

Note: Nutritional values can vary based on portion sizes. The numbers are based on single servings from Chipotle's nutrition information.

Pre-made Low-Carb Options

If you prefer to avoid the guesswork, Chipotle also offers “Lifestyle Bowls” that align with low-carb diets. The Keto Bowl and Whole30 Salad Bowl are good starting points.

Keto Bowl: Starts with a supergreens lettuce blend, carnitas, tomatillo red-chili salsa, Monterey Jack cheese, and guacamole.
Whole30 Salad Bowl: Features carnitas, romaine lettuce, fajita vegetables, fresh tomato salsa, and guacamole.

Conclusion: Flexibility is Key

So, is Chipotle good for carbs? Absolutely, but only with careful consideration and customization. By opting for a salad or a bowl without rice and beans and prioritizing low-carb ingredients like lean proteins, fajita veggies, fresh salsas, and guacamole, you can enjoy a flavorful and satisfying meal that aligns with your low-carb goals. Always use Chipotle's official nutrition calculator to plan your meal and stay informed. The power is in your hands—and your bowl!

How to Check Your Chipotle Meal’s Macros

To ensure your customized bowl aligns with your goals, use the Chipotle Nutrition Calculator. It allows you to select each ingredient and see the total calories, carbs, fat, protein, and sodium. Chipotle Nutrition Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

A traditional burrito is not recommended for a low-carb diet because the large flour tortilla adds approximately 50 grams of carbohydrates. It's best to opt for a bowl or salad to control your carb intake.

Steak and chicken are generally considered the best low-carb proteins at Chipotle, offering high protein with minimal carbs.

For a strict low-carb diet, beans should typically be avoided due to their carbohydrate content. However, if your carb limit is more flexible, a small portion of pinto or black beans may be acceptable.

Toppings to avoid include roasted chili-corn salsa, chips, and the honey-lime vinaigrette, all of which contain added sugars or high carbohydrate counts.

Yes, guacamole is an excellent low-carb topping. It is rich in healthy fats and fiber, which adds flavor and satiety with a low impact on your carb count.

Chipotle provides an interactive online nutrition calculator on their website. You can use it to build your customized meal and see the precise macronutrient breakdown, including carbohydrates.

Yes, Chipotle offers pre-configured "Lifestyle Bowls," such as the Keto Bowl and Whole30 Salad Bowl, which are designed to be low in carbohydrates.