Why order takeout for your tailgate, graduation party or other festive gatherings? For a customizable budget-friendly party menu, whip up a spread of easy Chipotle copycat recipes so guests can build their own bowls, burritos, tacos, or salads.
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In addition to spreads of charcuterie and barbecue, one of the most popular graduation party themes in the Midwest is a build-your-own taco bar. With a guest count of 100 (plus or minus 50, depending on the weather), a menu you can stretch and customize is clutch for grad parties, or honestly any time youโre hosting a crowd.
Considering you already have to deal with tidying up your home and coordinating drinks and decor, many hosts opt to outsource to a caterer or restaurant. Iโm all for delegating, but once you consider that Chipotle catering clocks in at $8 to $13.50 per person not including chips, salsa, and guac, you might be considering cancelling the festivities all together.
Before you call things off, take a deep breath, brush up on my budget-friendly hosting tips, and then read on for a DIY Chipotle buffet menu. My restaurant copycat recipes taste just like the fast casual fare you know and love, but that payoff comes at a fraction of the price. Choose a protein or two, add rice and beans, warm up some store-bought tortillas, set out a big bowl of lettuce, sprinkle in some cups of shredded cheese, salsas, and guac (bonus scoops never cost extra here!), and round things out with a cooler full of sodas and pitcher of margaritas.
Rather than canceling, you might just want to pull out your calendar to see how soon you can recreate this Chipotle buffet menu again.
Chicken, pork, or beef? Nope, Iโm not asking your preference for a wedding prix fixe; Iโm offering up your centerpiece options for this Chipotle buffet! You canโt go wrong with any or all of the above, but Iโm particularly partial to barbacoa and carnitas for parties since both of these Chipotle copycat recipes come together (and can stay warm in) a slow cooker.
For plant-based guests, consider my copycat Chipotle Sofritas, a delicious, spicy braised tofu.
Position your protein next to bowls or plates, then reserve space for a stack of small and large tortillas and a big bowl of chopped greens. Before guests arrive, I like to post a sign with a โchecklistโ to walk guests through the stations to build their own bowls, tacos, burritos, or salads.
1
Beef Barbacoa (Chipotle Copycat)
You'll love this Chipotle Barbacoa Recipe! Start with an easy marinade, then slow cook the beef until it's meltingly tender. It tastes even better than the real thing!
Make this Chipotle Carnitas Copycat recipe at home to fill tacos, burritos, or a homemade Chipotle Burrito Bowl. All you need is one secret ingredient and a slow cooker or Instant Pot for delicious, authentic carnitas.
Skip the restaurant and make your own copycat Chipotle Chicken recipe at home. The marinade is quick, easy, healthy, and tastes even better than the real thing! Make white meat or dark meat and follow my instructions for either baking or grilling.ย
This copycat Chipotle Steak recipe tastes even better than the real thing. The marinade is quick and easy and full of the smoky, spicy flavors you love!
This Chipotle Sofritas recipe tastes just like the original! Shredded tofu braised in spices makes a great vegan option for burritos, tacos, and salads.
Whether youโre building a bowl, salad, or burrito, rice and beans are a must in my opinion. Plus they can act as sides for tacos. Station these after the proteins and foundation-setting carbs or greens, along with fajita veggies to act as bonus toppings or a โproteinโ for those whoโd prefer a vegetarian option.
6
Cilantro Rice Recipe (Chipotle Copycat)
Learn the secrets to making Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice in the comfort of your own kitchen. This copycat recipe starts with getting the right type of rice and cooking it in a non-traditional way. This rice is soft and fluffy with just the right amount of chew and no stickiness.
These copycat Chipotle Black Beans are easy to make, inexpensive, and healthy! Add to burritos and salads or serve with rice for a tasty vegetarian meal.
An easy recipe for grilled Fajita Veggies, just like they make at the Chipotle restaurant. Colorful, tender-crisp, and healthy, these grilled veggies are ready in minutes. And you can add in your other favorite vegetables, too!
These copycat Chipotle Pinto Beans are easy to make, inexpensive, and healthy! Add to burritos and salads or serve with rice for a tasty vegetarian meal.
Just like no outfit is complete without a piece of flair or two, no Chipotle buffet is guest-ready until you add the accessories. Tortilla chips, guacamole, and salsa(s) are a must, and if youโll be recommending salad as an option, donโt forget a bottle or jar of the most addictive dressing youโll ever drizzle.
10
Chipotle Tomato Salsa (Copycat)
Also known as Pico de Gallo, this copycat Chipotle Tomato Salsa is ready in minutes and a great way to top off all your burrito bowls, tacos, and nachos.
This Chipotle Guacamole recipe is the real deal. With just seven ingredients and a few minutes, enjoy as much Chipotle Guacamole at home as you can mash!
Chipotle Hot Salsa, a tomatillo and red chili salsa based on Chipotle's famous version, puts a little fire on your burritos, tacos, and salads. Break open that bag of tortilla chips; this salsa is ready to dip in just under twenty minutes.
Make the smoky-sweet Chipotle Vinaigrette you love and crave at home (a copycat from the restaurant of the same name). It comes together in minutes with easy pantry ingredients, and it tastes exactly like it should.
A sweet salsa with medium heat, copycatย Chipotle Corn Salsa recipeย is made roasted poblano peppers, jalapeรฑos, red onion, citrus juice, and plenty of corn. Use frozen corn like Chipotle does, or follow my easy tutorial for fresh corn.ย
Alongside a cooler or two of sodas and sparkling waters for those under 21 and a few cases of beer, I like to mix up a signature cocktail that matches the Tex-Mex theme. Tequila certainly says โparty time,โ if you ask me!
If you donโt want to commit to a full batch of spiked sips, consider making pitchers of Watermelon Agua Fresca to offer alongside bottles of tequila, vodka, or rum so the adults can dial in the strength and flavor of their cocktail.
17
Triple Sec Margarita
A good Margarita needs no frills: just high-quality tequila, triple sec, and the freshest citrus juice. Simple syrup is optional, and use a blend of lemon and lime for deeper flavors.
Made from dried Hibiscus Flowers, this Agua de Jamaica recipe is one of my favorite all-ages drink recipes and is a tart herbal tea you can serve hot or cold. Sweeten Hibiscus Tea with sugar or honey for a refreshing summery sip.
Served in a small clay pot with the same name, a Cantarito is a classic Mexican cocktail from the state of Jalisco made with tequila, citrus juices, and soda.
Mexicoโs national aperitif, the Paloma cocktail, is a simple tequila drink with a thirst-quenching, irresistible appeal. Move over Margarita, here comes something better!
Agua de Horchata is a sweet, creamy beverage served in many Latin American countries. This version is from Mexico, and itโs so refreshing with tacos, burritos, and fajitas.
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Why order takeout for your tailgate, graduation party or other festive gatherings? For a customizable budget-friendly party menu, whip up a spread of easy Chipotle copycat recipes so guests can build their own bowls, burritos, tacos, or salads.
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Meggan โฆ Another idea. You might need to list out the accoutrements that go with Chipotle? How to make sour cream just like theirs (on Youtube, โCooking with Chrisโ) has the details; or, explain how it is actually Mexican Creama. Or, how SC is different. Then, talk about which type of Mexican chips to buy, because we buy Tostitoโs yellow bag (โlike restaurantsโ) or something. Then, what type of tortillaโs do you get โ we get store-bought that is fresh-made from Krogerโs, which works wonderful. Not sure if I remember you having salsa, but you might include what type to buy or make, plus pico de gayo. But, hopefully, youโll make sure you cover everything.
Okay, lot of people donโt know which ones to get, and we struggled to find all of that, but now โ we have it perfect. Not exactly like Chipotle, but itโs exactly what we like to our tastes. Because I looked above and you donโt cover sour cream, donโt cover tortillas, etc. Not sure if Chipotleโs has pico de mayo (or whatever), but we found a good recipe that we just use to flavor everything more. Just looked on the web, and yes, CHipotleโs does have pico, so you might include it too.
Just some ideas for you to extend this list and to give people everything that they need to make it at home.
Much appreciated, Meggan. And, I referred some people who are copycatting Chipotleโs recipes to your website.
Thank you, with friendship and respect from us, David & Cathy
Meggan โฆ Thank you (specifically) and also thank you to all of the Staff at your website and at the Culinary Hill company. So many of us are really appreciative that you made all of these wonderful recipes available. Just in my opinion, Chipotleโs has gotten a little TOO BIG FOR ITS BRITCHES, and they want to charge (get this !?!?!?!) something like almost $12+ dollars and (sometimes) more like $15-$18 for a burrito like I like it.
Oh yes, do I remember the days when they were like $6.75 and then (later) $8.50. Sure, both of those prices are more understandable. But, not almost TWENTY BUCKS for hardly any goodies inside โ if you donโt beg them for โextra riceโ, โextra beansโ, โanother scoop of thatโ, etc. Thus, most Americans canโt afford being hit-up that hard with every meal.
Itโs $70 / $80 bucks just for myself, wife, Momma (who doesnโt eat much), and our pumpkins (two Dogsters) โ by time you get some side chips, extra chicken on wife & mine, more tortillas, and side of queso. Itโs just too much, especially if you Teach for a living. So, again, I am appreciative from depths of my heart to the Crew behind Culinary Hill who helps us in the Middle Class try to stay โsomewhatโ still in the middle class.
Hi Renee, thank you so much for your question and thank you for your comment! I asked our videographer who shot these photos, and she said that the oval ones are from pottery barn, some of bowls are from CB2, and the little condiment tray is from Amazon. Take care! โ Meggan
Hi Lisa, the exact amounts will vary on what you would like to serve and the dietary restrictions of your guests. As a general guideline per person, plan to have 4 to 5 ounces of cooked protein (about 12 1/2 to 15 1/2 pounds total), 1/2 cup cooked rice (25 cups total), 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup cooked beans (12 1/2 to 16 1/2 cups total), at least 2 tablespoons salsa (6 1/4 cups total), at least 2 tablespoons guacamole (6 1/4 cups total), 1 to 2 tablespoons each for cheese and sour cream (6 1/4 cup to 12.5 cups total), and about 2 ounces tortilla chips (about 6 1/4 pounds total). If youโre planning to have tortillas, plan for at least 2 per person (100 total). Also plan to have toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, which could be about 1/2 ounce each per person.
The amount of each could be split between different options, such as beef, chicken, and tofu (sofritas), or having both pinto and black beans for your guests. I hope this helps and please let me know how your buffet turns out! โ Meggan
Meggan โฆ Another idea. You might need to list out the accoutrements that go with Chipotle? How to make sour cream just like theirs (on Youtube, โCooking with Chrisโ) has the details; or, explain how it is actually Mexican Creama. Or, how SC is different. Then, talk about which type of Mexican chips to buy, because we buy Tostitoโs yellow bag (โlike restaurantsโ) or something. Then, what type of tortillaโs do you get โ we get store-bought that is fresh-made from Krogerโs, which works wonderful. Not sure if I remember you having salsa, but you might include what type to buy or make, plus pico de gayo. But, hopefully, youโll make sure you cover everything.
Topics are: 1) Sour Cream, 2) Mexican chips, 3) tortillas โ which?, 4) salsa, 5) pico de gayo.
Okay, lot of people donโt know which ones to get, and we struggled to find all of that, but now โ we have it perfect. Not exactly like Chipotle, but itโs exactly what we like to our tastes. Because I looked above and you donโt cover sour cream, donโt cover tortillas, etc. Not sure if Chipotleโs has pico de mayo (or whatever), but we found a good recipe that we just use to flavor everything more. Just looked on the web, and yes, CHipotleโs does have pico, so you might include it too.
Just some ideas for you to extend this list and to give people everything that they need to make it at home.
Much appreciated, Meggan. And, I referred some people who are copycatting Chipotleโs recipes to your website.
Thank you, with friendship and respect from us, David & Cathy
Meggan โฆ Thank you (specifically) and also thank you to all of the Staff at your website and at the Culinary Hill company. So many of us are really appreciative that you made all of these wonderful recipes available. Just in my opinion, Chipotleโs has gotten a little TOO BIG FOR ITS BRITCHES, and they want to charge (get this !?!?!?!) something like almost $12+ dollars and (sometimes) more like $15-$18 for a burrito like I like it.
Oh yes, do I remember the days when they were like $6.75 and then (later) $8.50. Sure, both of those prices are more understandable. But, not almost TWENTY BUCKS for hardly any goodies inside โ if you donโt beg them for โextra riceโ, โextra beansโ, โanother scoop of thatโ, etc. Thus, most Americans canโt afford being hit-up that hard with every meal.
Itโs $70 / $80 bucks just for myself, wife, Momma (who doesnโt eat much), and our pumpkins (two Dogsters) โ by time you get some side chips, extra chicken on wife & mine, more tortillas, and side of queso. Itโs just too much, especially if you Teach for a living. So, again, I am appreciative from depths of my heart to the Crew behind Culinary Hill who helps us in the Middle Class try to stay โsomewhatโ still in the middle class.
Youโre so welcome, DavidF! Iโm so happy that you are able to enjoy a delicious meal for everyone for less than the in-store prices! โ Meggan
ok, love this!!! and may i ask where all the dishes and bowls are from ?!? looks amazing
Hi Renee, thank you so much for your question and thank you for your comment! I asked our videographer who shot these photos, and she said that the oval ones are from pottery barn, some of bowls are from CB2, and the little condiment tray is from Amazon. Take care! โ Meggan
What would the quantities be for 50 people?
Hi Lisa, the exact amounts will vary on what you would like to serve and the dietary restrictions of your guests. As a general guideline per person, plan to have 4 to 5 ounces of cooked protein (about 12 1/2 to 15 1/2 pounds total), 1/2 cup cooked rice (25 cups total), 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup cooked beans (12 1/2 to 16 1/2 cups total), at least 2 tablespoons salsa (6 1/4 cups total), at least 2 tablespoons guacamole (6 1/4 cups total), 1 to 2 tablespoons each for cheese and sour cream (6 1/4 cup to 12.5 cups total), and about 2 ounces tortilla chips (about 6 1/4 pounds total). If youโre planning to have tortillas, plan for at least 2 per person (100 total). Also plan to have toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, which could be about 1/2 ounce each per person.
The amount of each could be split between different options, such as beef, chicken, and tofu (sofritas), or having both pinto and black beans for your guests. I hope this helps and please let me know how your buffet turns out! โ Meggan