NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Chipotle Mexican Grill has introduced Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice at its U.S. and Canadian restaurants for a limited time.
Chipotle’s latest plant-based option is prepared fresh in-restaurant every day and made with freshly grilled riced cauliflower, finished with hand-chopped cilantro, lime and salt.
The new offering is compliant with keto, Whole30, paleo, vegan and vegetarian diets. Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice has four grams of net carbs per serving and puts a new twist on Chipotle’s classic white-rice recipe by using the same fresh cilantro and lime ingredients and similar culinary techniques.
Along with this launch, Chipotle has introduced four new variations of its Lifestyle Bowls featuring Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice. These digitally exclusive, diet-driven menu offerings now include:
• Whole30 Bowl — Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice, chicken, fajita veggies, fresh tomato salsa and guacamole (U.S. exclusive)
• Keto Bowl — Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice, chicken, tomatillo-red salsa, cheese and guacamole
• Vegetarian Salad Bowl — Supergreens lettuce blend, Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice, black beans, fajita veggies, fresh tomato salsa and guacamole
• Vegan Bowl — Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice, black beans, sofritas, fresh tomato salsa, roasted chili-corn salsa and romaine lettuce
Ahead of its roll out across the U.S. and Canada, Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice was tested in restaurants in Denver and across Wisconsin as part of Chipotle’s stage-gate process. The stage-gate process allows the brand to listen, test and learn from customer feedback, and iterate before deciding on a national launch strategy.
Prior to the test market launch, one out of three new menu item requests from Chipotle customers had been for cauliflower rice. In the test markets, Chipotle estimates that nearly one third of orders that included Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice came from new guests and customers who visit Chipotle restaurants infrequently.
