Does Chipotle use peanut oil when cooking? Of course, it is natural to worry about this when you are allergic to peanuts.
Chipotle fans’ undying loyalty through difficult times is a testament to the brand’s enduring popularity.
Chipotle offers reasonably priced, nutritious meals that use only the highest quality, freshly prepared ingredients, making it this popular.
Still, it is natural to be more concerned when you have a food allergy.
So, what type of oil does Chipotle use? Are there peanuts involved in any of their foods?
No, Chipotle does not use tree nuts, peanuts, or shellfish in its foods, making it a safer choice for those battling food allergies.
Does Chipotle Use Peanut Oil?
Chipotle has been successful in part because of its rather limited menu. And there are advantages to offering fewer options on the menu.
To begin, food deterioration is always a possibility, but because Chipotle only has fresh ingredients in stock, it helps cut down on food waste.
It also means you are going to get fresh food whenever you opt for Chipotle.
And the fact that it does not include any known allergens in its food is the reason why people with food allergies can enjoy those treats.
Fact: Chipotle is an extremely popular fast-food restaurant with over 2,000 locations in the US alone.
What Oil Does Chipotle Use in Cooking?
So, now that you know Chipotle stays away from peanut or peanut oil, this leads to another question: What oil does it use?
The good thing is that Chipotle uses rice bran oil in cooking, which is safe for those living with food allergies.
Are There Benefits to Using Rice Bran Oil?
For a variety of reasons, rice bran oil is an excellent alternative to other cooking oils.
For one, it has just the right amount of healthy fats, including polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.
In fact, the ratio of polyunsaturated to monounsaturated fats in this oil is only 37% to 45%.
Since it is extracted from rice bran, its oil is an abundant source of vitamin E.
It is inexpensive and feasible to produce, making it a viable alternative to conventional cooking oils.
Rice bran oil is mostly used in Asian countries including India, Japan, Bangladesh, and China. And considering its benefits, Chipotle has also turned to it.
Why Does Chipotle Use Rice Bran Oil?
Making oil from rice bran is a fantastic method to use this often-discarded byproduct.
Oil can be extracted from the bran, or outer coating, of rice grains and used for cooking.
Because of its high smoke point of 450F, it can be used in high-temperature cooking methods like grilling. And thanks to its mild flavor, it may be used in a variety of dishes.
One of the biggest reasons Chipotle uses rice bran oil is that it is hypoallergenic.
So, if you are concerned about triggering an allergic response from peanut oil, you will be perfectly safe with bran oil.
How Does Chipotle Utilize Rice Bran Oil?
Some of the many ways Chipotle puts it to use include as salad dressing and as a rice seasoning.
The restaurant also uses it in other items, such as brown rice, barbacoa, black beans, pinto beans, and chipotle-honey vinaigrette.
Does Chipotle Use Oils Other than Rice Bran?
Chipotle Mexican Grill, with its focus on using only fresh ingredients and cooking everything to order, is an excellent fast-food choice for those with dietary restrictions.
Chipotle’s menu items that include common food allergens are easy to identify with a quick glance at the allergen list.
And it does not contain peanuts, which is a blessing for many.
What is the Other Alternative to Peanut Oil at Chipotle?
While it uses bran oil instead of peanut oil, you will also find some of its items using olive oil.
For instance, Chipotle chilies’ smoky, lightly spicy taste is blended into extra virgin olive oil for a bold, savory flavor.
Olive oil is also perfect for brushing on grilled chicken, beef, or seafood. For a spicy kick, you can always drizzle it over pizza or grilled veggies.
Fact: Chipotle relies on fresh ingredients and offers foods free of sesame and mustard.
Is Chipotle Totally Safe for People with Food Allergies?
Since Chipotle does not use shellfish, nuts, or peanuts while cooking, it is generally very safe for people with food allergies.
However, you need to remember that some of its menu items still contain soy, dairy, and gluten.
Therefore, you may not be able to eat certain foods when you are allergic to these ingredients.
What to Do About It?
The good thing is that you can still find a way to avoid these foods and still enjoy them at Chipotle.
For instance, you can avoid corn tortillas and opt for flour tortillas in place.
Similarly, you may ask them to skip the sour cream or cheese to be on the safer side.
Fact: Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG -1.21%), with a market valuation of $51 billion, is a unique success story in the food industry.
Does Chipotle Offers Allergy-Free Menu Around the World?
Chipotle maybe your favorite fast-food restaurant in North America, but you may want to avoid it while in Europe or the United Kingdom.
The reason is that it uses sunflower oil to cook all Chipotle dishes in the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.
As a result, many people are unable to enjoy its meats, beans, chips, rice, veggies, and several salsas.
Peppers in Canada are now fried in sunflower oil as well.
Why Can It Be Hard to Identify Allergens at Chipotle?
People with a nut allergy are usually safe while eating at Chipotle. It is a different story for those who cannot eat beans or dairy.
There is a chance of ingesting dairy and legumes while ordering from Chipotle.
If you indulge in the Mexican fare at Chipotle. You will notice cheese amid the lettuce and guacamole.
It suggests there is a possibility of cross-contact between beans and dairy, despite Chipotle’s efforts to avoid them.
And it may become even more difficult, especially if you are allergic to soy.
Order the sofritas and you will find it hard to avoid the beans. Unfortunately, they have to do it considering sofritas are not that commonly used ingredients.
So, what should you do? Well, you can try certain foods safe for certain types of food allergies.
Milk Allergy-Friendly Options at Chipotle
Those who suffer from milk allergies or lactose intolerance can rejoice, as they have plenty of dairy-free options at Chipotle.
In fact, only three of the items contain dairy, and these include:
- Sour cream
- Queso fresco cheese
- Monterey Jack cheese
The problem is that you get these ingredients in almost everything you order.
In fact, everything at Chipotle is topped with sour cream or cheese, including crispy corn tacos, bowls, burritos, soft flour tacos, and more.
What to Do?
Consider ordering chips with guacamole or chips with salsa to avoid dairy. Also, be specific at the time of placing your order.
Ask your server to avoid any cheese or sour cream, and wear fresh gloves when preparing or serving your food.
Also, you can always order some of their beans, meats, chips, taco shells, or tortillas when your main concern is dairy.
Soy Allergy-Friendly Foods at Chipotle
Chipotle serves sofritas, a vegan meat alternative, to its vegetarian and vegan customers.
Tofu stewed in spices, onions, tomatoes, chipotle chilies, and peppers is the basis for Chipotle’s popular sofritas protein option.
What it means is that you need to avoid tofu if you are struggling with a soy allergy. It is possible to enjoy it with pinto beans or fajita veggies.
This will help you enjoy Chipotle without worrying about meats, including carnitas, barbacoa, or chicken.
Gluten-Free Options at Chipotle
Most of the options are gluten-free at Chipotle, so you can eat without having to worry much about triggering your allergy.
The soft flour tortilla used in the preparation of tacos and burritos is the only item on the fast-food joint’s menu that contains wheat.
There are no gluten-containing items on the menu.
Tacos made with corn tortillas and salads are all great alternatives for those who need to avoid wheat due to celiac disease, wheat allergies, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
There are no grains in either of the bowl options.
Note
Beer brewed with barley should be avoided by those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
It is amazing how Chipotle contributes to the rise of fast-casual restaurants, with average customers visiting nine times a year, spending around $150 total.
Takeaway
So many people are often concerned about triggering an allergic reaction when eating out.
And that is why it is common to ask, “Does Chipotle use peanut oil?”
It seems you do not have to worry about nut allergies when eating at this fast-food restaurant.
But, you may still have to be careful when you are also allergic to soy or have gluten sensitivity.