Chipotle is a healthy takeout choice for many people across the United States and the world. However, many consumers are worried about their oil or fat consumption.
This concern has many people wondering, “What kind of oil does Chipotle use?” Here’s what you need to know about Chipotle’s cooking oil.
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What Kind of Oil Does Chipotle Cook In?
Chipotle uses three different kinds of oil, including Canola Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Rice Bran Oil. They use Rice Bran Oil as their primary cooking oil and in some of their salad dressings. Rice Bran Oil can also be found in Chiptole’s rice.
Rice Bran Oil
Chipotle uses rice bran oil as their primary cooking oil. Chipotle states they prefer this oil because it’s non-GMO and for the high smoke point, which makes it suitable for the high temperatures of a grill. Chipotle uses rice bran oil in the following dishes:
- Steak burrito
- Barbacoa burrito
- Sofritas burrito
- White rice
- Brown rice
- Pinto beans
- Black beans
- Chipotle-honey vinaigrette
Rice bran oil can be an amazing source of poly and mon-unsaturated fats. Research has shown that ingesting these unsaturated fats can improve blood cholesterol levels, which might reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Sunflower Oil
Chipotle also uses sunflower oil in a few of their dishes, including the carnitas, chicken burrito, chips, crispy corn tortillas, and fajita veggies. Sunflower oil has a mild flavor, and the brand Chipotle uses is non-GMO.
Sunflower oil can offer many health benefits due to the low quantities of saturated fat. Sunflower oil has large amounts of two fatty acids, including polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs).
PUFAs include omega-3s and omega-6s. This type of fatty acid can reduce cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
MUFAs are also found in sunflower oil. This type of fatty acid may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Oils containing MUFAs are typically found in the Mediterranean diet.
Canola Oil
Finally, Chipotle uses Canola Oil in its flour tortillas. Chipotle only uses four ingredients for their tortillas, including wheat flour, water, salt, and of course, canola oil. This type of oil is extracted from rapeseeds and adds flavor and texture to the tortillas. Typically, canola oil in the United States contains GMOs, but Chipotle’s canola oil is completely non-GMO.
Canola oil has the lowest amount of saturated fat compared to sunflower, olive, and corn oil. Canola oil has certain health benefits as well as disadvantages and is typically enjoyed in moderation.
Is Chipotle Oil Vegetarian or Vegan Friendly?
Fortunately, you can enjoy certain dishes at Chipotle if you’re on a restricted diet. The canola, sunflower, and rice bran oil at Chipotle are all vegetarian and vegan friendly. This means no animal products are used in their production, making them an ethical option for many consumers.
Is Chipotle Oil Gluten-Free?
You can also enjoy certain dishes, including oil, at Chipotle If you’re on a gluten-free diet. Most cooking oils don’t contain gluten, including canola, rice bran, and sunflower oil. However, the flour tortillas at Chipotle are not gluten-free and should be avoided if you’re on this type of restricted diet.
What Type of Oil Does Chipotle Use?
You can find three different types of oil at Chipotle. Chipotle uses rice bran oil as their primary cooking oil. You can find sunflower oil in some of Chipotle’s dishes, primarily their chips and crispy corn tortillas. Chipotle also uses Canola oil in their flour tortillas. All of these oils are vegan and gluten-free, making them versatile for those on a restricted diet.