What is the healthiest thing to order at Qdoba?

December 7, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutrition information, a standard chicken burrito at Qdoba can easily exceed 800 calories, but smart customization can drastically reduce this number. This guide will show you how to build a delicious and healthy meal that perfectly fits your dietary needs without sacrificing flavor.

Quick Summary

This article explains how to build a healthy Qdoba meal by selecting a low-calorie base, choosing lean proteins, and opting for nutritious toppings like salsas and fresh veggies.

Key Points

Opt for a Bowl: Ditch the flour tortilla for a bowl or salad base to save hundreds of calories.
Choose Lean Protein: Grilled Adobo Chicken or steak are excellent, low-fat protein options.
Load Up on Veggies: Add fajita veggies, pico de gallo, and lettuce for volume, fiber, and nutrients.
Salsas Over Creamy Sauces: Use fresh salsas like Pico de Gallo or Salsa Verde instead of high-fat sour cream and queso.
Add Healthy Fats Moderately: Include guacamole for healthy fats, but be mindful of portion sizes.
Skip the Chips: Avoid the high-calorie tortilla chips and opt for a side of beans instead.
Go Low-Carb: For keto-friendly options, skip the rice and beans and load up on veggies.

Your Guide to Healthy Qdoba Choices

Eating out while maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a challenge, but Qdoba offers enough customization to make it surprisingly simple. The key is to understand how each component contributes to the overall nutritional profile of your meal. By focusing on a nutritious base, lean protein, and fresh toppings, you can craft a delicious and satisfying meal that won't derail your diet.

Build Your Perfect Healthy Bowl

Choosing a bowl or a salad over a flour tortilla is the most impactful decision you can make for a healthier meal. A large flour tortilla can add over 200 calories and significant carbohydrates to your order. Starting with a base of lettuce or brown rice sets the stage for a nutritious meal.

Base: Opt for a bowl with crisp romaine lettuce for a low-carb base, or choose brown rice for extra fiber.
Protein: Prioritize lean protein. Grilled Adobo Chicken is a superb choice, offering a great protein-to-calorie ratio. Other solid options include Grilled Steak, or for a plant-based alternative, Impossible™ protein.
Beans: Black or pinto beans are excellent additions, providing both fiber and protein to keep you feeling full.
Veggies: Load up on the fajita vegetables (onions and peppers) for a boost of nutrients and bulk with minimal calories.
Salsas: Use fresh, low-calorie salsas like Pico de Gallo, Salsa Verde, or Salsa Roja. They add tons of flavor without the heavy fats of creamy sauces.
Sauces & Toppings: Be judicious with your additions. A small amount of guacamole adds healthy fat, while high-fat items like queso and sour cream should be limited or avoided.

Comparison Table: Smart vs. Not-So-Smart Choices


Meal Component	Healthier Choice	Less Healthy Choice
Base	Salad or Bowl (no tortilla)	Large Flour Tortilla Burrito
Protein	Grilled Adobo Chicken or Impossible™	Ground Beef or Carnitas (higher fat)
Carbohydrates	Brown Rice or Skip Rice	White Rice
Topping	Pico de Gallo, Salsa Verde	Queso, Sour Cream
Healthy Fat	Guacamole (in moderation)	Extra Queso, Creamy Sauces
Sides	Corn Salsa or Black Beans	Tortilla Chips

The Importance of Customization

Qdoba's build-your-own model is your greatest asset for healthy eating. Unlike pre-packaged fast food, you have complete control over every single ingredient. By being mindful of your selections, you can craft a meal tailored to specific dietary needs, such as low-carb, high-protein, or vegetarian diets. For example, a keto-friendly bowl can be made by skipping the rice and beans, doubling up on fajita veggies, and adding grilled chicken, cheese, and guacamole.

Even with a few 'extra' toppings, the overall nutritional impact can be managed. If you want a little queso, a lighter portion can satisfy the craving without significantly increasing the meal's calorie and fat count. The key is mindful portioning.

What About the 'Signature Eats'?

Qdoba's menu includes several 'Signature Eats' like the Fajita Vegan Bowl and Citrus Lime Chicken Salad, which are designed to be under 600 calories. These can be a reliable and quick healthy option if you're in a hurry and don't want to overthink your custom order. For instance, the Fajita Vegan Bowl is a great choice for a lower-calorie, high-fiber meal packed with vegetables.

Conclusion

The healthiest thing to order at Qdoba is not a single menu item but a custom-built bowl or salad. By choosing a low-carb base, selecting lean protein like grilled adobo chicken or steak, and loading up on fiber-rich veggies and salsas, you can create a flavorful and filling meal. Minimizing high-fat toppings such as queso and sour cream is critical for keeping calories in check. Ultimately, Qdoba's ability to customize allows you to be in control of your nutrition, proving that fast-casual dining can be healthy dining.

For more detailed nutritional information, consult the Qdoba dietary preferences page at their official website: https://www.qdoba.com/dietary-preferences.

Summary of Healthy Ordering at Qdoba

How to Create a Healthy Qdoba Meal

Opt for a Bowl or Salad: Choose a bowl with lettuce or brown rice as your base instead of a large flour tortilla.
Select Lean Protein: Stick with Grilled Adobo Chicken, steak, or Impossible™ protein for the leanest options.
Embrace the Veggies: Pile on the fajita vegetables, pico de gallo, and other fresh produce for fiber and nutrients.
Choose Wisely with Toppings: Stick to salsas like Pico de Gallo or Salsa Verde and use guacamole in moderation.
Minimize the Cheese and Cream: Ask for a smaller portion of queso or sour cream, or skip them entirely.
Consider the Signature Eats: If time is a factor, opt for a pre-designed, low-calorie Signature Eat like the Fajita Vegan Bowl.
Pair Sensibly: Go for a side of beans instead of the high-calorie tortilla chips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a Qdoba burrito bowl is generally a healthier option than a burrito wrapped in a large flour tortilla. The calorie content depends entirely on your ingredient choices, making it easy to control and customize for your diet.

Some of the lowest-calorie options are a custom salad or bowl with a lettuce base, lean protein like grilled adobo chicken, and fresh salsas. Qdoba's tortilla soup is also a light choice.

To make your meal low-carb, order a bowl or salad and skip the rice and tortillas. Opt for grilled meats, fajita veggies, and fresh salsas. You can add a moderate amount of cheese and guacamole for extra flavor.

Qdoba's queso is high in calories and fat, making it less healthy than other toppings. It is best to use it sparingly or skip it altogether if you are trying to keep your meal light.

The calories in a Qdoba burrito vary widely based on ingredients, but they typically range from 800 to 1,200+ calories. The large tortilla alone accounts for a significant portion of this.

Yes, both the black and pinto beans are healthy additions to your meal. They are a great source of fiber and protein and can help make your meal more filling.

Yes, Qdoba has several vegan options. You can build a vegan bowl with black or pinto beans, fajita veggies, and Impossible™ protein. Their rice, salsas, and guacamole are also vegan.

Grilled Adobo Chicken is often considered the best choice for a healthy meal due to its lean protein content. Grilled steak and Impossible™ protein are also solid, lean choices.