Chipotle Mexican Grill is testing meatless chorizo in Denver and Indianapolis, the fast-casual chain said Thursday.
Priced at $8.50 on average in an entrée, the new plant-based protein is certified vegan and made with peas, ancho chile, chipotle peppers, tomato paste, garlic, Spanish paprika and extra-virgin olive oil, which the Newport Beach, Calif.-based chain said is in line with its “Food with Integrity” standards of using high-quality, natural ingredients. It has 20 grams of protein per serving and is free of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. It is made without grains, gluten, or soy.
“Plant-based lifestyles have continued to accelerate in popularity, and as a longtime leader in the category, we are exploring ways to give more variety to our fans,” Chipotle chief marketing officer Chris Brandt said in a release announcing the test. “We used real ingredients to create a plant-based protein with a deep, rich Chorizo flavor that can be enjoyed by everyone.”
Chipotle has long had meatless options, including the choice of only having vegetables in any of its entrées or, since 2014, adding Sofritas, its spiced, organic tofu.
To promote the new protein option, Chipotle has produced a commercial touting that the product is made “with ingredients grown on a farm, not a lab,” an apparent jab at large plant-based protein manufacturers such as Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat.
The chain is also offering free delivery of Plant-Based Chorizo orders via its app through Aug. 29.
The market test is an early step in Chipotle’s product rollout process, which since 2019 has led to the rollout of its quesadilla, Carne Asada, Supergreens Salad Mix and Queso Blanco.
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