Chipotle Bowl Cheese: What's The Cheesy Secret?

Chipotle is famous for its fresh ingredients and quick service, and the restaurant chain has quickly become one of the most popular Mexican food chains in the United States. One of the key ingredients in its burritos, tacos, and bowls is shredded Monterey Jack cheese. This semi-hard cheese has a rich texture and a mild, creamy, and nutty flavour, which pairs well with the bolder ingredients like salsa or seasoned proteins. Chipotle also uses white cheddar, blended with Monterey Jack, for its Queso Blanco.

Monterey Jack is the cheese used in Chipotle bowls

Monterey Jack is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk. It has a rich texture and a mild, creamy, and nutty flavour. Its high moisture and fat content make it an excellent melting cheese, which is perfect for adding to burritos, tacos, and, of course, Chipotle bowls. The cheese blends seamlessly with the other ingredients, complementing the bolder flavours without overwhelming the palate.

Chipotle's use of Monterey Jack cheese is not a secret. It is listed on their website and can be found on the ingredient labels in their restaurants. The cheese is sourced from small to mid-size dairy farms in Wisconsin and California, and it is made with milk from pasture-reared cows that are raised without the use of artificial hormones or antibiotics.

The versatility and adaptability of Monterey Jack cheese make it a perfect choice for Chipotle's menu. It can be shredded and melted on top of a burrito bowl or used as the main ingredient in a quesadilla or quesarito. Its mild flavour and creamy texture make it a favourite among cheese lovers, and it pairs exceptionally well with the other ingredients Chipotle has to offer.

In addition to its delicious taste and texture, Monterey Jack cheese also provides essential nutrients to your meal. It is a good source of calcium and protein, adding to the overall nutritional value of your Chipotle bowl. So, the next time you're enjoying a Chipotle bowl, savour the goodness of Monterey Jack cheese and its perfect harmony with the rest of the ingredients.

White cheddar is the other cheese used by Chipotle

White Cheddar is simply what most Americans know as cheddar, but without the addition of annatto for that classic orange hue. In America, White Cheddar is a name given to Cheddar cheese that has been made without the addition of colouring. It brings a robust, tangy flavour to the mix, contributing depth and complexity to Chipotle's dishes. While White Cheddar may have a more pronounced taste, it still maintains a creamy texture that complements the melt-in-your-mouth quality of Monterey Jack. This creaminess adds a luscious and velvety dimension to the cheese blend, ensuring every bite is indulgent.

White Cheddar cheese brings nutritional value to your Chipotle meal. Just like Monterey Jack, it’s a source of protein and calcium, contributing to the overall nutritional profile of the dish. It is used to create Chipotle's queso dip alongside Monterey Jack cheese. The original recipe for the queso included aged cheddar and no processed ingredients, but this was replaced with a blend of the two cheeses after customers complained about the texture.

The cheese is shredded

The cheese comes in a big block, and Chipotle is pretty open about what it uses. It's written right on the Chipotle Ingredients list, which details all 53 ingredients on the menu and where they're used. The cheese is sourced from small to midsize dairy farms, and each farm must adhere to Chipotle's "Food with Integrity" standards. These standards include no artificial hormones to increase milk output and restricted use of antibiotics. The herds also have constant access to pastures, fresh water, and clean shelter.

If you're looking to recreate the Chipotle experience at home, be sure to buy a block of Monterey Jack and shred it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese is often treated with cellulose to keep it from sticking together, and that can affect the taste and texture. Some recommended brands include Joseph's Farms, Boar's Head, and Tillamook. And if you want to get fancy, you can add a spicy twist with a pepper jack variety.

Monterey Jack is the star of the show when it comes to Chipotle's shredded cheese, but it's not the only cheese they use. White Cheddar is the second variety in their blend, adding a tangy, robust flavor to the mix. This combination of cheeses creates a delicious and memorable dining experience, with a boldness that complements the other ingredients in the burrito bowls.

The cheese is sourced from US-based farms

Chipotle is known for its commitment to serving food with integrity. They prioritize responsibly sourced, high-quality ingredients and offer customers the freedom to customize their meals. The cheese is an integral part of the Chipotle experience, and the company ensures that it is sourced from US-based farms that adhere to their "Food with Integrity" standards.

The two types of cheese used by Chipotle are Monterey Jack and White Cheddar. The Monterey Jack cheese, known for its mild and creamy taste, is produced in Wisconsin by Meister Cheese and in California by Petaluma Creamery. The cheese is crafted in small to mid-size dairy farms, with each farm adhering to strict guidelines. These farms are committed to raising their cows without the use of artificial hormones to increase milk production. Antibiotics are only administered to treat sick cows, and the herds have constant access to pastures, fresh water, and clean shelter.

Chipotle's emphasis on sourcing from family farms extends to their cheese production. The company provides yearly seed grants to 50 young farmers, including dairy farmers who contribute to their cheese supply. This support for small-scale production ensures a consistent supply of high-quality cheese while promoting sustainable farming practices.

The White Cheddar cheese, on the other hand, is not as transparent in its sourcing. While Chipotle states that all its cheeses come from pasture-reared cows raised without bovine growth hormones, they do not specify the exact source of their White Cheddar. However, it is known that this variety of cheese is typically made without the addition of coloring, resulting in its white hue.

The combination of Monterey Jack and White Cheddar cheeses creates a delicious blend that perfectly complements the bold and diverse flavors of Chipotle's menu items. Whether it's the shredded cheese on a burrito bowl or the gooey goodness of a quesadilla, the cheese sourced from US-based farms adds a savory element that satisfies customers' cravings.

Chipotle's cheese is real

Monterey Jack is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk, known for its exceptional melting properties and mild, creamy flavour. It adds a harmonious blend of flavours to the dish without overwhelming the palate. White Cheddar, on the other hand, is a type of cheddar cheese made without the addition of colouring, resulting in a white hue. It offers a robust and tangy flavour that complements the mildness of the Monterey Jack.

Together, these cheeses create a delicious and memorable dining experience, enhancing the flavour and texture of Chipotle's menu items. They are a staple in many of their dishes, including burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, and nachos.

Chipotle's commitment to using real cheese aligns with their dedication to serving food with integrity. They prioritise responsibly sourced, high-quality ingredients, and their cheese is no exception. The Monterey Jack cheese is sourced from small to midsize dairy farms in Wisconsin and California, adhering to Chipotle's "Food with Integrity" standards. These farms are required to raise their cows without the use of artificial hormones and provide constant access to pastures, fresh water, and clean shelter.

So, for cheese lovers, Chipotle offers an indulgent and authentic experience with their generous servings of real, flavourful cheese.

Frequently asked questions