Chipotle Just Added Cauliflower Rice To The Menu, And My Mouth Is Already Watering
Good news burrito and taco fans, cauliflower rice has arrived at Chipotle. After tons of customer requests, select locations will debut the grain-free rice substitute on Wednesday July 15.
The new rice is keto-, Whole30-, paleo-, vegan-, and vegetarian-friendly. It's also cilantro and lime flavored just like the chain restaurant's original white rice. The riced cauliflower is grilled then seasoned with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and salt. (I know, my mouth is watering RN.)
Lucky Denver and Wisconsin residents will get the first taste of the new cauliflower rice, according to the company's press release. There will be 55 locations around the Mile High City, where the fast-casual Mexican chain got its start, and across Wisconsin dishing out the new grain-free alternative. Btw, the cauliflower rice is also prepared fresh daily in each restaurant.
All that flavor doesn't come for free, though. Like guac, it will also have an up charge. The cauliflower rice costs an additional $2.
So, is the new cauliflower rice at Chipotle healthy? Well, it's significantly lower in calories and carbs compared to the standard white rice option. Nutritionists are also fans of cauliflower rice in general. “If you’re looking to cut down on carbs or avoid gluten, it’s a great option,” St. Louis-based nutrition pro Alex Caspero, R.D. previously told Women's Health.
Here are the nutrition facts for 1 serving of Chipotle's cauliflower rice:
Calories: 40
Carbohydrates: 7 g
Sugar: 2 g
Fat: 1 gram
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 3 g
Sodium: 210 mg
Here are the nutrition facts for 1 serving of cilantro-lime white rice (per Chipotle):
Calories: 210
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Sugar: 0 g
Fat: 4 g
Saturated Fat: .5 g
The chances of the cauliflower rice arriving in your neighborhood Chipotle are also pretty darn good. Over the past year, three other Chipotle menu items—carne asada, supergreens salad mix, and queso blanco—were all tested in select locations and then rolled out nationwide. Fingers crossed the cauliflower rice passes with flying colors too.
"We are definitely experimenting with plant-based foods. We’re in the early days of it," Chipotle's Chief Executive Officer Brian Niccol told Bloomberg. "What we want to do is make the world’s greatest cauliflower rice, as opposed to process something and make it seem like it’s something else."
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