This (Copycat) Chipotle Steak Burrito recipe has perfectly seasoned grilled steak, cilantro-lime rice, beans, pico de gallo, and sour cream!
The restaurant chain Chipotle was introduced to me by my friend Dina, when we were both living in Minnesota. My love was immediate. We would meet there once a month or so and stuff ourselves until our bellies hurt.
Years later, I met Paul and Chipotle became our place. We would go there about once a month week…and stuff ourselves until our bellies hurt.
We eat different fast food now and again, but Chipotle is really the only fast food I ever truly want. And crave.
One day I was feeling creative, and decided to see if I could replicate my favorite menu item – their Steak Burrito (which btw, never ever changes. In the 20 years I’ve been going there, it remains my go-to. Occasionally I’ll get a Chipotle Burrito Bowl, but that’s really just the Chipotle Steak Burrito without the tortilla.)
How To Make a Chipotle Steak Burrito
There are several steps to making their steak burrito, but each one isn’t difficult. (Scroll to the end for the full printable recipe.)
- The Steak – ideally you’ll use skirt steak, although sirloin is an ok substitute. Either way, it’s coated in a spice rub consisting of dried oregano, cumin powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cracked red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with vegetable oil and then grilled.
- Cilantro-Lime Rice – they use a long-grained white rice like basmati, which has a slightly nutty flavor. Tossed with lime juice, lemon juice, fresh chopped cilantro, vegetable oil, and salt, I could make an entire meal out of it alone!
- Pico de Gallo – this is a fresh, zesty, and chunky type of dip and topping that is made from white onion, tomatoes, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. It’s so simple and yet gives such an incredible boost of flavor to any Mexican dish, like these steak burritos. It’s basically the best condiment ever and I put it on everything.
- Beans – this is an optional ingredient, but I always put black beans in my burrito. Paul prefers pinto beans.
- Cheese – I never put cheese in these, but Paul gets shredded white cheddar in his.
- Sour Cream – a nice little dollop of sour cream to lend some creaminess and balance out all the other flavors.
Tips for The Best Steak Burrito
Follow these tips for the absolute best flavor:
- If you have time and patience, let the steak marinate overnight for even better flavor!
- Include a little adobo sauce in the marinade for extra heat and a more authentic flavor.
- Steam the rice with bay leaves and keep it warm until you’ll build the burritos.
- Use the freshest ingredients for the pico de gallo and make it the same day you’ll use it.
So listen. I don’t and haven’t ever worked for Chipotle. And I’m not part of some secret Chipotle club where they disclose their exact ingredients and process, so I can’t say this recipe is exact. But having eaten there a gazillion times, I can say these are pretty damn close. And definitely fantastic!
I make these and we eat until our bellies hurt.
Other Mexican (or Tex Mex!) Recipe we love!
(Copycat) Chipotle Steak Burrito
Ingredients
For the Steak
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- pinch salt and pepper
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 1 pound skirt steak
For the Cilantro-Lime Rice
- 2 cups cooked basmati rice , warm
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Pico de Gallo
For the Beans, Sour Cream, and Tortillas
- 15 ounce can low sodium black beans , rinsed, drained, and warmed
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 (10-inch) flour tortillas
Instructions
- Combine oregano, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper. Rub spice mixture over both sides of steak, along with the vegetable oil. Refrigerate while preparing your other ingredients. (If you can, marinate overnight for best flavor.)
- Drizzle the lime juice, lemon juice, and oil over the top of the warm rice, sprinkle with the chopped cilantro and salt; fluff with a fork.
- In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for the Pico de Gallo.
- Heat a grill to medium-high. Coat grill grates with oil or nonstick spray. Cook steak for about 4 minutes per side, or to your liking. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice thinly against the grain.
- Warm the flour tortillas over a gas burner or in the microwave for about 15 seconds. Place on a flat surface, evenly distribute the rice, then steak, topped with the black beans, the pico de gallo, and sour cream.
- Fold the flap nearest you over the filling, then fold in the sides; roll burrito away from you, keeping it tight to form a log. Rest, seam side down.
- Serve with guacamole and tortilla chips!
Notes
- If you have time and patience, let the steak marinate overnight for even better flavor!
- Include a little adobo sauce in the marinade for extra heat and a more authentic flavor.
- Steam the rice with bay leaves and keep it warm until you’ll build the burritos.
- Use the freshest ingredients for the pico de gallo and make it the same day you’ll use it.
Tried tonight and was delicious very comparable to Chipotle the only thing I will change next time is less lime and lemon in rice
I made this last night and the steak was amazing! We used sirloin and cut it up in cubes then marinated it as recommended above. I cooked it for maybe 2-3 minutes and it came out so good and tender! This was a hit, will be making again soon!
Spot on! So good. Make the rice!
I made this for my husband tonight. He loved it, said it was the most delicious steak burrito he ever. I used petite sirloin instead of flank. Let it marinate all day. Really glad I tried this recipe. Thank you!
I followed this recipe exactly (maybe a little less cilantro) but WOW how yummy! I’ll make it again for sure!
Thank you for the recipe!!
Prepared exactly per recipe except used jasmine rice (had on hand), and used flank steak (half the price at my store).
Also one more thing, and this is good: we ‘browned’ the completed burrito in a hot skillet (like 10 sec per side) – marvi!!
Very good! …next time, I’ll remember cheese.
So, I had to absolutely leave a comment with my gratitude. I used your recipe today and only omited the red pepper because my kids dont dig the hot stuff that much. My whole family Loved it! Even my super picky, almost never eats meat, kid fell in love with one bite. This will forever be one of my familys recipies with the source sited on it. So, thank you so much for an awesome recipe that helped me bring Chipotle home for the first time ever and giving me one meat recipe my picky eater will ask for again and again. She already asked me if we can have some for lunch tomorrow! You have no idea how happy that makes me. I love to cook and I put tons of love and passion into my food. There are many of the things I loved that have been passed down that she wont eat, but to finally have her ask me for more tomorrow makes me so happy I might cry. Thank you so so much! I may be back for more delicious recipes. And I already told all my friends who are scattered all across the world about this. I’m retired military and have tons of friends still in who will be more then a little happy to have a chance to make Chipotle burritos wherever they are, especially if they don’t have any near their station. So even more thank yous are in order I guess. This has been the best and probably the closest I have come to the Chipotle food. You are so awesome! Thank you again!
I’m so happy to hear it, Bridgette! Thank you!
Great recipe as my wife and I have used this on numerous occasions. There is one question I have. Although I know how to make rice, it really doesn’t specify the correct steps in completing this task. why is that? Thank you.
Question? If I’m marinating 15 lbs. of steak, should I be multiplying the recipe you have by 15? Also any particular steak recommended? I bought the short ribs.
Hi Timur! The steak recommended for this is skirt, as listed in the ingredients.. And yes, if you’re multiplying the steak by 15, you would also want to add to all the other ingredients accordingly. Enjoy!
Hey quick question do you know what kind of cheese they use?
Shredded white cheddar.
We had a big gathering this past weekend with a taco/burrito bar and I made this (times 5!) and it was a big hit. Our guests said it was pretty spot on. Everyone loved it. So I called it a win!
This recipe is very close. Definitely stick with the cilantro (Its the chipolte taste in my opinion). I also put both lime and lemon in the rice to give it more zing. Next time will try some black olives because their a favorite in my household. All in all I’m glad I tried this recipe \o/!
Hi Geri – glad it worked out for you!
Only changes I made was using instant rice instead of the Bastami, these were a hit! We started with 8 tortillas and ran out. Kids loved them too. With just one jalapeño it was not too spicy for them. Thank you for the recipe it’s in my save folder ;-)
Awesome, Mike! So happy to hear it!
Great recipe, thanks!
J
This looks great! I used to work at chipotle and although I wasn’t a cook, I’ve been able to perfect some recipes at home. I make the steak by buying a can of chili peppers in adobo sauce and smother the steaks in them. We like it super spicy! But I think I will definitely give your recipe a try! It looks amazing!
Thanks, Jen! You’ll have to let me know how it compares…
Ok, I like never post on these, but this time, I had to! This ROCKS! This is my hubby’s fave menu item from Chipotle, I personally, have never been there, weird, I know. Anyway, made it a couple weeks ago, on the stove and it was AWESOME. Made it again today, for his birthday, out on the grill and I have NO words, no way to describe how much we loved it, we turned into psycho pigs ;) So, thank you SO much for figuring this out and sharing it with everyone! I had to share on Facebook, it’s that good. Thank you, thank you!
Oh, I LOVE that you decided to post a comment. Sharing these recipes and hearing how someone else loved it as much as I do, is the best! I’m so glad you enjoyed them. Thanks, Jenny!
Yum!
I’m eating this right now, and it’s DELICIOUS! The hubby agrees (so far he is on his second burrito, and has said it’s “seriously unbelievable” and “wicked good!”), so this recipe will be a keeper! The closest Chipotle is 40 min away, Thanks so much!
Awesome! That’s how I feel about these, too. Yay!
How many calories is this copycat?? Thanks so much!
Hi Domarina – I don’t know, sorry. But I’m sure you could Google for an online calorie calculator and then plug in the ingredients.
This recipe sounds delicious!
Quick question, how much money does it take to put together a meal like this?
Oh gosh Dave, I don’t know. All the spices, oil, rice, and black beans are pantry staples for me. And since I buy all my groceries together, I’ve never really broken it out. It’s not an expensive meal (IMHO)…the skirt steak is the most expensive item, which might run you around $8 depending where you live. It’s worth it!
Just made these because I had a huge Chipotle craving and the nearest one is 2 hours away! I used chicken instead and it came out amazing! Ugh so good and I’m stuffed!
Awesome!
Yum! These look so delish! I can’t wait to try them out one night for dinner – my husband will love them!!! xx
I made this recipie a few weeks ago for my family. My husband said its the nicest burrito hes ever had ! Im making them again tonight for friends. Thanks so much for sharing !!!
Hi Jenny! That’s awesome! We love them, so glad you guys did too!
Chipotles is the only fast food I will eat! My kids love it too. This looks incredible, can’t wait to try it!
Shut the front door. Chipotle is the only fast food I will really eat on any sort of regular basis, and I NEED it regularly…Must make this happen at home. And for the record, your burrito looks so much prettier than theirs do ;-)
Thanks for this recipe. My daughter is obsessed with Chipotle, so it was great to be able to make a similar recipe at home!
Oh.my.goodness. This looks amazing! I am with you in the Chipotle obsession. It’s a relatively cheap meal out but I’ve always thought, “this would be just as good, if not better, at home.” Thanks for sharing your recreation!
I’m not big on fast food, but feel the same way about Chipotle. Somehow it doesn’t feel like fast food. I just can’t get over how HUGE the burritos are! Way to go on the recreation, friend! Love!
My kids won’t eat Mexican food either!!! Annoying. Except there are exceptions to the weird Mexican foodiness rules: they will eat Taco Bell (What????) and they like me to make tacos at home. Gorgeous burritos!!!
These look really good!!
Ahhhh, Chipotle….love it! There’s one a block from my apartment and it takes some serious willpower not to go every week :)
The kids don’t like Mexican food?!? Are you sure they’re yours? :P
I do love me some Chipotle also and it’s really the only fast food I’ll eat. Which is saying a lot.
These would make a perfect lunch for school! Which starts back next week :(
Now, this is one sexy looking burrito!!
I want all of this to myself. All of it!