How to Make Everything You Love on The Chipotle Menu

    From the glorious guac to those crazy-addictive carnitas — we've got it all.

    Alison Roman
    by Alison Roman

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Lauren Zaser/ Andrew Richard/ BuzzFeed

    Chipotle. You want it.

    Alison Roman/ BuzzFeed

    Maybe all the time.

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    And that's totally understandable.

    Alison Roman/ BuzzFeed
    Alison Roman/ BuzzFeed
    Alison Roman/ BuzzFeed

    The carnitas, those beans, that super-secret Chipotle marinade — you love it even *if* the guac is extra.

    But what if there were another way? What if you could make your OWN Chipotle?

    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed
    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed

    And what if it were... BETTER?

    You could pile on all the extra guac that you want...

    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed

    With EXTREMELY low odds of exposing yourself to any sort of E. Coli.

    I mean — YOU'D BE IN, right?

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    Right.

    Below you'll find all the classics inspired by Chipotle's menu — from the meats to the salsas to the guac — all adapted so you can make them in your own kitchen.

    But first, quick things to know about these recipes:

    • They are not, I repeat, NOT certified Chipotle recipes. These recipes are very, very close approximations, inspired by Chipotle.

    • How close? In the name of research, I forced Chipotle-loving co-workers, friends, and family to eat copious amounts of the stuff, so they could wax poetic about what exactly makes it so damn addictive. I took this info, combined it with my ~knowledge of cooking~, and created these recipes — after testing, re-testing, and testing some more.

    • They are designed to be easy for you to make at home so you never have to leave your house ever again. (Except, you know, to get the ingredients.)

    • They are extremely delicious and you will want to make them again and again.

    Ready to cook? Let's do this.

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    1. CARNITAS

    Andrew Richard / Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed

    WHAT TO KNOW: This recipe calls for boneless pork shoulder that is seasoned, seared, and slow-cooked with garlic, thyme, and bay leaves until it falls apart into beautiful, wonderful little bits of shredded pieces of heaven. It will become your new favorite pork recipe, trust.

    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed
    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed

    MORE INFO: FULL RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS

    2. STEAK

    Andrew Richard / Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed

    WHAT TO KNOW: Steaks are marinated in chipotle en adobo, seared until medium-rare and cut into burrito-size pieces. If you have a grill, you could definitely grill these bad boys.

    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed
    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed

    MORE INFO: FULL RECIPES & INSTRUCTIONS

    3. BARBACOA

    Andrew Richard / Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed

    WHAT TO KNOW: This recipe calls for brisket, which is one of the best meats you can braise. It's seasoned, seared, and slowly cooked with garlic and smoked chipotle chiles. Because Chipotle. This too, is a set it and forget it type dish.

    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed
    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed

    MORE INFO: FULL RECIPES & INSTRUCTIONS

    4. CHICKEN

    Andrew Richard / Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed

    WHAT TO KNOW: These chicken thighs are marinated in canned chipotle en adobo (are you noticing a theme yet?), seared in a skillet, chopped, and tossed in the skillet once more to make sure they have as much ~flavor~ as possible. If you had a grill, that would work, too.

    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed
    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed

    MORE INFO: FULL RECIPES & INSTRUCTIONS

    5. SOFRITOS

    Andrew Richard / Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed

    WHAT TO KNOW: I know this is a vegetarian option, but this mixture of fried tofu, tomatoes, onions, chiles, and spices is somehow one of the best things on the menu. The scariest part of making it is frying the tofu, which I will show you how to do. Do not be afraid.

    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed
    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed

    MORE INFO: FULL RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS

    6. CILANTRO RICE

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    WHAT TO KNOW: Undoubtedly one of the most iconic items on the menu, it's maybe the easiest thing to make. Just try to eat rice any other way after making a pot of this. JUST TRY. (To make the brown rice version of this, just swap in brown rice.)

    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed
    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed

    MORE INFO: FULL RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS

    7. GUACAMOLE

    Andrew Richard / Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed

    WHAT TO KNOW: What can I say about this guacamole that hasn't already been said? It's the platonic ideal — just a little spicy, lots of lime, tons of cilantro — and everyone should know how to make it.

    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed
    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed

    MORE INFO: FULL RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS

    8. CORN SALSA

    Andrew Richard / Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed

    WHAT TO KNOW: Make double of this crowd-pleasing mild salsa, because you might want to start putting it on everything. Great for tacos, grain bowls, salads, a topping for chili...I COULD GO ON FOREVER.

    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed
    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed

    MORE INFO: FULL RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS

    9. RED-CHILI SALSA

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    WHAT TO KNOW: The hardest part about making this medium-hot salsa (the best one IMO) is finding dried New Mexican or guajillo chiles. They are available at most grocery stores, but you can also find them on Amazon.

    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed
    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed

    MORE INFO: FULL RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS

    GREEN-CHILI SALSA

    Andrew Richard / Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed

    WHAT TO KNOW: This super-fresh hot salsa gets its heat from a jalapeño. If you don't like ANY spicy at all, you could make it without the pepper and it would still be crazy-delicious.

    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed
    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed

    MORE INFO: FULL RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS

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    WHAT TO KNOW: Pretty much a classic "pico de gallo," this mild salsa will only be as good as your tomatoes, so choose wisely. Hothouse tomatoes are a good bet, even out of season.

    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed
    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed


    MORE INFO: FULL RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS

    10. CHIPOTLE VINAIGRETTE

    Andrew Richard / Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed

    WHAT TO KNOW: This kinda sweet, kinda spicy vinaigrette is best made in a food processor, but can def be made without one.

    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed
    Lauren Zaser/ BuzzFeed


    MORE INFO: FULL RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS