Copycat Chipotle Steak (2024)

FAQs

What cut of meat does Chipotle use for steak? ›

Instead of using a particular cut for its steak as it does with its carne asada, Chipotle sources its steak from many different cuts of beef. These include the inside round, the outside round, the bottom and top rounds, and the eye of round, as well as sirloin, sirloin top, ball tip, and knuckle.

REAL STARTS AT THE SOURCE. Our Carne Asada starts with Responsibly Raised® cattle with no antibiotics and no added hormones. We only source from farmers who do it the right way because we believe there's a connection between how food is raised and prepared, and how it tastes.

Our namesake ingredient, the chipotle chili pepper is a dried and smoked jalapeño produced using the age-old craft of smoking them over pecan wood for several days. These intensely smoky, spicy peppers are the foundation for much of the food we serve - from our chicken, steak, and Barbacoa to our beans and vinaigrette.

STEAK* 150 cal | 4 oz

Responsibly raised, marinated in our chipotle adobo, then grilled.

How is chipotle steak so tender? Chipotle tenderizes their steak by cooking it sous vide. The steak is vacuum-sealed in a bag and cooked in a water bath at a consistent temperature to lock in moisture. Then it's marinated overnight.

Rice bran oil is our primary cooking oil at Chipotle. Its high smoke point - the temperature at which the oil starts, well, smoking - makes it suitable for high-temperature cooking like grilling, while its mild taste makes it versatile.

Chipotleonly lists “Beef” in their ingredient statement. However, a clever Quora user emailed Chipotle customer service and learned that Chipotle steak could be one or more of the following cuts: Loin, ball tip, round, flat, top butt, clod, and knuckle.

Chipotle has earned “A” grades in each of the three years the study has been conducted.

In Central and South America, we call pretty much any barbecued or grilled meat asado (or carne asada). The BEST cuts for the Mexican version of the dish we all know and love are either skirt steak or flank steak. Personally, I prefer skirt steak (pictured).

Top Substitute for Chipotle Powder: Smoked Paprika

Smoked Paprika has all the smoky flavor you crave, making it the best substitute for chipotle. Although it is a much milder spice than dried chipotle or even fresh jalapeños, mix in the desired amount of cayenne pepper to dial up the heat.

What steak does Chipotle use for carne asada? ›

Chipotle opts for skirt steak for its carne asada, a pretty traditional choice. "Carne asada" directly translates to "grilled meat" in Spanish. The term can reference the meat types themselves, or the festive barbecue event where loved ones gather to grill.

The steak at Chipotle is a lean cut, so you don't have to feel guilty if you find yourself with a sudden hankering for red meat, and we all know that chicken is a healthy choice. The chain is also a great place to avoid meat altogether, as there are plenty of vegan and vegetarian choices on the menu.

The shredded white cheese that Chipotle uses is commonly known as Monterey Jack. It is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk that melts well when exposed to heat. Chipotle's Monterey Jack cheese is used to make quesadillas and queso dip, and it's happily added to any menu item when asked.

Chipotle has earned “A” grades in each of the three years the study has been conducted. “We began serving meat from animals raised without antibiotics in 1999 and continue to be a leader in this area today,” said Steve Ells , founder, chairman and CEO at Chipotle.

Any round cut of beef, including the kind Chipotle uses, is very lean and also tends to be tougher, which definitely plays a role in making the carne asada more appealing in comparison to the steak.