What Does Chipotle Put In Their Veggies?

November 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to former employees and copycat recipes, Chipotle's grilled fajita vegetables are surprisingly simple, relying on just a few key ingredients to achieve their signature flavor. Many customers often wonder what does Chipotle put in their veggies, assuming a complex recipe, but the answer is more straightforward than you'd expect. The two primary vegetable options are the simple Fajita Veggies and the heartier, tofu-based Sofritas.

Quick Summary

Chipotle uses sunflower oil, Mexican oregano, and salt for its grilled fajita vegetables, a mix of green bell peppers and red onions. Sofritas, a separate vegan protein, involves tofu braised in a spicy sauce with roasted peppers, garlic, tomatoes, and other spices.

Key Points

Fajita Veggie Ingredients: The classic fajita veggies contain green bell peppers, red onions, sunflower oil, salt, and dried Mexican oregano.
Sofritas Ingredients: The tofu-based sofritas are simmered in a spicy sauce made from roasted poblano, chipotle, and jalapeño peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and several spices.
Cooking Method: Fajita veggies are quickly sautéed over high heat to achieve a tender-crisp texture and light charring.
Flavor Secrets: The signature savory flavor of the fajita veggies comes from the simple combination of salt and dried Mexican oregano, not a complex spice blend.
Vegan Options: Both the Fajita Veggies and Sofritas are vegan and offer different flavor experiences, from mild and savory to rich and spicy.
Copycat Recipes: Many recipes online, developed by food enthusiasts and former employees, can help you recreate Chipotle's veggie dishes at home.

Unveiling Chipotle's Fajita Veggies

Chipotle's grilled fajita vegetables are a popular and free topping for burritos, bowls, and tacos, known for their tender-crisp texture and savory flavor. The ingredients are refreshingly minimal, allowing the fresh taste of the produce to shine. While some assume a complex spice blend is involved, the true secret lies in a simple combination of vegetables, oil, and two key seasonings.

The Simple Ingredients

Vegetables: The core components are sliced green bell peppers and red onions. Some employees and customers note that red, yellow, or orange bell peppers may also be occasionally included, but green is the standard.
Oil: Chipotle uses sunflower oil to sauté their veggies, but copycat recipes often suggest neutral-flavored, high-heat oils like avocado or olive oil. The high-heat cooking method gives the vegetables a slight caramelization and a hint of smoky flavor.
Seasoning: The flavor comes from just two ingredients: dried Mexican oregano and kosher salt. Some copycat recipes might add other spices like cumin or paprika, but the restaurant's core formula is famously simple.

The Preparation Process

Chipotle's grillers follow a specific process to create the fajita veggies:

Slicing: Bell peppers and red onions are prepped into thin strips.
Sautéing: The sliced vegetables are cooked over high heat on a cast-iron griddle or skillet with sunflower oil. This quick-cooking method ensures the veggies are tender but not mushy, retaining a slight bite.
Seasoning: Just before serving, the hot vegetables are seasoned with a final touch of dried Mexican oregano and kosher salt.

Deep Dive into Chipotle's Sofritas

Sofritas, the plant-based protein option, is a more complex and flavorful vegetarian choice. First introduced in 2013, it's a spicy and savory shredded tofu dish. It is a versatile vegan and vegetarian protein that can be added to any menu item.

The Flavorful Sofritas Sauce

The true magic of sofritas lies in the braising sauce, which is a flavorful blend of roasted vegetables and spices.

Sauce ingredients:

Peppers: A mix of peppers, including poblano, chipotle in adobo, and sometimes jalapeños, provides the smokiness and heat.
Vegetables and Aromatics: Roasted tomatoes, onions, and garlic form a sweet and savory base for the sauce.
Seasonings: Spices like dried Mexican oregano, cumin, and chili powder are added to build a complex, earthy flavor.
Other Flavorings: Red wine vinegar and tamari (or soy sauce) add tanginess and umami.

The Tofu Preparation

Instead of being simply sautéed, the tofu in sofritas is prepared by:

Roasting Veggies: Peppers, tomatoes, onions, and garlic are roasted in the oven to intensify their flavors.
Blending Sauce: The roasted vegetables, along with chipotle peppers in adobo and other seasonings, are blended to create a rich sauce.
Braising Tofu: Crumbled or grated tofu is added to the sauce and simmered, allowing it to absorb all the rich flavors.

Comparison: Fajita Veggies vs. Sofritas


Feature	Fajita Veggies	Sofritas
Main Ingredients	Green bell peppers, red onions	Crumbled tofu, roasted peppers, onion, tomato
Flavor Profile	Simple, savory, tender-crisp with a hint of caramelization	Spicy, smoky, savory, and rich
Primary Seasoning	Dried Mexican oregano, salt	Mexican oregano, cumin, chili powder, adobo sauce
Base Preparation	High-heat sauté on a griddle	Tofu braised in a spicy, flavorful sauce
Texture	Tender-crisp with a bite	Soft, crumbly, and uniform
Heat Level	None	Moderate to spicy (can be adjusted)
Cost	Free with any menu item	Extra charge as a protein

Chipotle's Vegetarian Offerings and Quality

Chipotle has built its reputation on using a limited number of high-quality, fresh ingredients. Their menu, including the veggies, reflects this philosophy. The simplicity of the fajita vegetables ensures that their natural flavors are not overpowered. The sofritas provide a complex, satisfying option for those seeking a plant-based protein with a richer flavor profile. The company's commitment to using wholesome ingredients is a key reason for the popularity of both vegetarian choices.

How to Replicate Chipotle Veggies at Home

For fans who want to recreate the experience, the recipes for both the Fajita Veggies and Sofritas are readily available online. The simple Fajita Veggies recipe requires minimal ingredients and a hot skillet, making it an easy weeknight meal addition. For the more adventurous cook, the Sofritas recipe involves roasting vegetables and braising tofu, resulting in a dish that many copycat recipes claim is even better than the restaurant version. Whether it's the simplicity or the complex spice, knowing the ingredients allows for a more informed and satisfying culinary experience.

Conclusion

What does Chipotle put in their veggies? The answer depends on which vegetable option you choose. For the classic grilled fajita vegetables, the recipe is straightforward: green bell peppers, red onions, sunflower oil, salt, and Mexican oregano. This simple combination yields a perfectly tender-crisp and flavorful side. For the more involved Sofritas, a robust, spicy sauce is created from roasted peppers, garlic, tomatoes, and a variety of spices, which is then used to braise crumbled tofu. Both options showcase Chipotle's philosophy of using fresh ingredients to deliver distinct and delicious flavors for their customers.

Visit the official Chipotle website to learn more about their food and ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

The key seasonings for Chipotle's grilled fajita vegetables are dried Mexican oregano and salt, used to enhance the natural flavor of the sautéed peppers and onions.

No, the standard fajita veggies at Chipotle are not spicy. They are smoky and savory, but any heat comes from other added ingredients like salsa or hot sauce.

Chipotle uses sunflower oil for cooking their fajita vegetables. For home cooks, other high-heat, neutral oils like avocado or olive oil are often suggested for copycat recipes.

Sofritas are a plant-based protein option made from crumbled tofu that is braised in a spicy, flavorful sauce. The sauce contains roasted peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices.

Yes, adding the standard fajita vegetables to any entree at Chipotle, such as a bowl or burrito, is free of charge.

Yes, Chipotle's fajita veggies are completely vegan, as they only contain bell peppers, onions, oil, and seasoning.

To make them at home, sauté sliced green bell peppers and red onions in sunflower or avocado oil over high heat until tender-crisp. Then, season with dried Mexican oregano and salt to taste.