At Chipotle, you can create your burritos, bowls, tacos, and salads by choosing from various fresh ingredients, such as grilled meats, vegetables, and guacamole. The menu at Chipotle is limited, and cheese seems to be at the top, but what cheese does Chipotle use?
Chipotle uses Monterey Jack and white cheddar cheeses. They are also famous for their melted and shredded blend of different cheeses, popularly known as “queso blanco”, which means white cheese in English. This cheese is used as a topping for dishes served at Chipotle.
When it comes to cuisines such as tacos and burritos, as well as quesadillas and salads, Chipotle has gained popularity among customers compared to other restaurants. But if you want details on their choice of cheese, this article is for you.
What Kind Of Cheese Is In Chipotle Bowl?
The cheese in Chipotle bowl is a blend of shredded Monterey Jack and white cheddar cheese. It blends Queso Blanco cheese and other ingredients such as beans, rice, and grilled meat. The dish has a creamy, tangy flavour when used as a topping and added to the bowl.
A Chipotle bowl contains a delicious combination of rice, protein, and vegetables topped with various ingredients, including cheese, cilantro, guacamole, salsas, and sautéed fajita. The best part is using your specific flavour combinations to create a unique and mouthwatering burrito bowl.
Chipotle has seven bowls: chicken, beef, barbacoa, carnitas, sofritas, vegetables, and pollo asado. They also provide lifestyle bowls customized to particular diets, and you can request a combination of two proteins in half portions within their bowl.
What Cheese Is Chipotle Cheddar Cheese?
Chipotle cheese is a combination of jalapeno chilli peppers and cheddar cheese. This blend gives the cheese a smoky, mildly spicy flavour. The chipotle peppers are dried and powdery; they make them delicious when mixed with shredded cheese.
Its addition to dishes like tacos, burritos, and quesadillas can enhance their spiciness. Combining Chipotle with white or yellow cheddar cheese made from cow milk that has been pasteurized can give the cheese a pleasant smoky flavour that is not too overpowering in terms of spiciness.
How is Chipotle Cheese Made?
Chipotle cheese is made of roasted Chipotle peppers added to Monterey jack cheese. The mixture is left to mature so the cheese and Chipotle pepper flavours can mix. The cheese is typically a semi-soft, white cheese with a mild flavour made from cow’s milk.
The outcome is a delicious, slightly smoky, spicy cheese that goes well with various foods. This creates a smooth cheese with a taste of pepper that tastes great when served with crackers or any Mexican dish.
Other ingredients include:
- Chipotle Cheddar Cheese.
- Potato starch.
- Powdered cellulose (to prevent caking).
- Enzymes, and natamycin (a mould inhibitor).
What Dishes Use the Cheese at Chipotle?
This popular restaurant chain is known for its fresh, customizable dishes packed with flavour. One of the key ingredients that Chipotle uses in many of its dishes is cheese. But what cheese does Chipotle use, and which dishes is it used?
1. Burritos
One of the most popular dishes at Chipotle is the burrito. The burrito consists of a large flour tortilla filled with rice, beans, meat, vegetables, and cheese. The cheese used in the burrito is typically shredded Monterey Jack cheese, which adds a creamy, cheesy flavour to the dish.
2. Bowls
Another popular dish at Chipotle is the bowl. The bowl is similar to the burrito but without the tortilla. It typically consists of a base of rice or salad greens topped with beans, meat, vegetables, and cheese. The cheese used in the bowl is also shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
3. Tacos
Chipotle also offers tacos, which are smaller than burritos and bowls but still packed with flavour. The tacos come with meat or vegetables, cheese, lettuce, and other toppings. The cheese used in the tacos is also shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
4. Quesadillas
Chipotle also offers quesadillas for those who prefer a cheesy, melty dish. The quesadilla consists of a large flour tortilla filled with cheese and a choice of meat or vegetables. The quesadilla is then grilled until the cheese is melted and gooey.
Does Chipotle Shred Their Cheese?
Chipotle does not shred its cheese; instead, they rely on Leprino Foods, a major producer of shredded cheese, and a range of other suppliers. Leprino Foods provides Chipotle with a shredded cheese mixture of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Queso Blanco, which is shredded at their processing plant.
After the cheese is shredded, the blend is shipped to Chipotle outlets and incorporated into menu items. Shredded cheese from Chipotle is a staple ingredient in their tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. It is equally used as a topping for nachos and salads. The cheese has a mild flavour and a creamy texture. It dissolves easily and imparts a rich flavour to the dishes.
Homemade Chipotle Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Shred the Monterey Jack cheese and chop the canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the all-purpose flour and whisk together until it forms a smooth paste.
- Slowly pour the milk into the saucepan, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth and thick.
- Add the shredded Monterey Jack cheese to the saucepan, a little at a time, stirring constantly until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the chopped chipotle peppers and salt to the cheese mixture and stir until they are evenly distributed.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes.
- Once the cheese mixture has cooled slightly, transfer it to a blender or food processor and blend until it is smooth.
- Pour the cheese mixture into a container and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it.
- To serve, simply reheat the Chipotle cheese sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it is warmed through.
Video
Notes
Conclusion
Chipotle uses either Monterey Jack and white cheddar in their recipes or a combination. If you want to try making a replica of Chipotle food, get these two kinds of cheese and mix them after shredding them. Shredded cheese is the way to go if you want to add flavour to your food.
