New year, new meat! Chipotle Mexican Grill is hoping to help all the many Americans starting 2022 with newly formed commitments to health.
The popular fast casual food chain announced that, beginning Monday, all of its U.S. locations are serving plant-based chorizo for a limited time.
"We are thrilled to introduce guests to our new, flavor-packed plant-based chorizo during a season when healthier options are top of mind," Chris Brandt, Chief Marketing Officer at Chipotle, said in a press release. "Plant-based chorizo is our best chorizo ever and proves that you don't have to sacrifice flavor to enjoy a vegan or vegetarian protein."
The plant-based chorizo is made from chipotle peppers, ripe tomato paste, crushed garlic, spanish smoked paprika, and extra virgin olive oil combined with natural protein from freshly grown peas. The food is certified vegan, contains 16 grams of protein per four ounces, and is made without artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, grains, gluten, or soy.
The selection is the second vegan-based menu option at the restaurant ever and first since 2014 when it added plant-based sofritas, according to CNBC.
Chipotle's menu first featured chorizo in 2016, however the meat was pulled after accounting for just 3% of protein sales, the outlet reported. It was then reintroduced in late 2018 for a limited time.
The company said Monday’s launch comes after positive consumer tests in Denver and Indianapolis last August.
"Creating a delicious plant-based protein that sizzles on the grill with the robust flavor and texture profile chorizo-lovers expect was a real challenge," Nevielle Panthaky, Vice President of Culinary at Chipotle, said. "Our culinary team has worked relentlessly for years to develop this breakthrough plant-based chorizo recipe that is uniquely Chipotle and aligns with the brand's industry-leading Food with Integrity standards."
The restaurant has also added new lifestyle bowls, which incorporate the plant-based chorizo, that customers can order for a limited time and exclusively on their app. The bowls align with diets such as Whole30, Keto, and Paleo.
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