What Cuts Of Steak Does Chipotle Use?

Chipotle Mexican Grill is known for its commitment to serving responsibly sourced, high-quality ingredients, and this extends to the cuts of steak it uses in its menu offerings. For its steak options, Chipotle typically uses cuts such as sirloin and round. The sirloin is a popular choice due to its balance of flavor and tenderness, making it ideal for quick grilling, which matches Chipotle's fast-casual dining style. The round cut, while generally leaner and slightly less tender, is known for its robust beefy flavor, which holds up well in the bold, spicy seasonings characteristic of Chipotle's dishes. Both cuts are marinated in a blend of spices that includes cumin, garlic, and chipotle chili peppers, offering a smoky, savory profile that complements the various toppings and sides available. This marination process not only enhances the flavor but also helps to tenderize the meat, ensuring a consistently satisfying texture. By focusing on these cuts, Chipotle ensures that its steak offerings are flavorful, tender, and aligned with its ethos of providing quality meals made from responsibly sourced ingredients.
Advertisement

Different cuts and their uses

Chipotle's beef barbacoa is made specifically from shoulder cuts. This choice is due to the higher fat content in these cuts, which helps keep the meat moist during the lengthy braising process, ensuring a juicy final product.

For its other beef offerings, Chipotle sources cuts from various parts of the cow. These primarily include rounds such as bottom rounds, top rounds, eye of rounds, inside rounds, and outside rounds. Additionally, they utilize sirloin, knuckles, sirloin top, and ball tip.

The rationale behind using such a variety of cuts is straightforward. Despite the diversity, all these cuts share a common characteristic: they grill exceptionally well. They remain juicy and tender inside while developing a nice char on the outside, all while delivering a rich flavor. This quality is crucial, as Chipotle positions itself as a Mexican grill chain.

Recommended

Next up

Advertisement