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    Home / Recipes / Vegan Mexican Recipes

    Vegan Chipotle Bowl

    Published: Jan 23, 2025 · Modified: Jan 23, 2025 by Kathy Carmichael · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Build a vegan Chipotle bowl at home with fresh, healthy, oil-free ingredients. Skip the drive-thru and eat healthy at home with this copycat version of Chipotle's LifeStyle Vegan Bowl. You will love this vegan chipotle bowl recipe.

    Vegan Chipotle Bowl on a table garnished with a lime and jalapenos on the table

    Whenever the kids go to Chipotle, I always tell them I can make a Vegan Chipotle Bowl healthier. After a lot of trial and error, I mastered a vegan Chipotle bowl without oil or added preservatives. Although I understand Chipotle's healthy version is different from mine, I prefer homemade food over fast food any day. 

    Jump to:
    • Cauliflower Rice Ingredients 
    • Cauliflower Rice Substitutions
    • Making Cauliflower Rice
    • How to Make a Vegan Chipotle Bowl
    • Spicy Pinto Beans Ingredients
    • Spicy Pinto Bean Ingredient Substitutions
    • Other Ingredient Options
    • Other Possible Garnishes
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Tips
    • Other Great Vegan Mexican Dishes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Since Chipotle doesn't share their secret recipes, my copycat Chipotle bowl is my best guess at the mystery ingredients. But the kids said I nailed it, and I guarantee my version is not only easy to make but it's also fresh and fabulous. 

    Instead of going out to build a  Lifestyle Chipotle Bowl, build a vegan Chipotle bowl at home. And the fun part about making it at home, is there are so many variations to make your Chipotle bowl unique.

    Let's layer the lifestyle vegan Chipotle Bowl! 

    Cauliflower Rice Ingredients 

    A head of cauliflower on a cutting board.
    • Cauliflower: Cauliflower pulsed in a food processor, creates rice-sized bites of cauliflower instead of using rice.
    • Vegetable Broth: The vegetable broth is used to help cook the cauliflower in the skillet without using oil.
    • Lime Juice: The lime juice adds some citrus flavoring to the cauliflower rice.
    • Cilantro: The cilantro flavors the cauliflower rice with a beautiful herb flavor.

    Cauliflower Rice Substitutions

    Of course, there are alternatives to making your own cauliflower rice, as well as using different base ingredients for the vegan Chipotle bowl.

    • Frozen cauliflower rice is available in the freezer section. If you use frozen cauliflower, use half the broth and do not thaw it before cooking. It will get mushy.
    • Or, cauliflower is often sold already priced in the produce section where the bagged salads and coleslaw are located.
    • If you don't like cauliflower, try brown, jasmine, or white rice.
    • Quinoa is also a possibility, or any other grain you prefer.

    Making Cauliflower Rice

    • First, cauliflower rice begins with a head of cauliflower.
    • Once the core is removed and the cauliflower is cut into large pieces, place it into a food processor with a large blade.
    • Then, pulse until the cauliflower resembles rice. 
    A head of cauliflower cored on a cutting board with a knife.
    • Another method of preparing cauliflower rice is using a hand box grater using the medium grater side. 
    • One head of cauliflower, for instance, yields 6 cups of cauliflower rice depending on the size of the cauliflower head. 
    • Instead of using oil, place the cauliflower rice in a skillet and heat the skillet to medium-low, and add ¼ cup of vegetable broth.
    • Stir to combine, and heat covered so the cauliflower rice steams for 5-8 minutes. 
    Riced cauliflower cooking on a stove in a skillet with a top on the pan.
    • Once cooked, remove the lid, and add ¼ cup of lime juice and ½ cup of fresh chopped cilantro. 
    Adding cilantro and lime juice to the cilantro rice in a skitter on the stove

    How to Make a Vegan Chipotle Bowl

    Cauliflower rice with lime and cilantro in a bowl on the table

    To begin, choose the base for the vegan chipotle bowl recipe.

    • Prepared brown rice
    • White Rice
    • Combination of rice and cauliflower rice
    • Jasmine Rice
    • Mexican Rice Recipe
    Sofritas added to the cilantro lime rice in a bowl on the table.

    Next, add the Sofritas!

    Sofritas at Chipotle is organic, shredded tofu braised in chipotle chilies, roasted poblanos, and a "blend of aromatic spices." However, the description lacks the added oil and sugar to mass-produce this processed Chipotle health food. 

    To make a healthy version of Chipotle sofritas, I chose fresh ingredients and roasted my vegetables to make the sauce cook into my crumbled tofu. 

    Even though most copy-cat Chipotle sofrito recipes include cooking the tofu in oil, I discovered a quick and easy way to cook the tofu oil-free. 

    Sofritas Ingredients

    • Extra-firm or Sprouted Tofu: When you use extra-firm or sprouted tofu, it does not require pressing. Instead, dry it off and use it immediately.
    • Campari Tomatoes: Campari tomatoes are bold, sweet, and juicy.
    • Red Onion: Red onion is pungent yet mellows when cooked. It brings a sweet flavor to the chipotle bowl.
    • Garlic: I prefer using fresh garlic cloves for the best flavors.
    • Limes: Fresh lime juice gives the sofritas a fresh flavor with a hint of lime flavor.
    • Poblano Peppers: They taste like green bell peppers with a little more kick. Cooking poblanos mellows them even more, making them slightly sweet.
    • Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: (also called Adobo Chili Peppers in a can) Note: these are not roasted with the other vegetables. 
    • Cumin: Cumin is slightly spicy with a warm, earthy flavor.
    • Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavors in the sofritas.

    Spicy Pinto Beans Ingredients

    Pinto beans onions, garlic and hot sauce cooking in a pan on the stove.
    • Pinto beans: Pinto beans are firm and meaty in texture. They are mild tasting and absorb herbs and spices well.
    • White onion: White onions, when cooked are slightly sweeter, a bit milder in taste than yellow onions. They're a good choice for dicing and serving raw on sandwiches and salads or in fresh salsas, and are often used in Mexican recipes.
    • Garlic: Cooked garlic will still taste like garlic, but it will also have a sweet flavor, and that comes from the fact that it gets slightly caramelized as it roasts in the oven. Roasted garlic has a milder flavor than raw garlic.
    • Hot sauce: I used Cholula for a slightly spicy flavor.

    Spicy Pinto Bean Ingredient Substitutions

    • If I don't have pinto beans, I often replace them with black beans.
    • Yellow or red onion substitutes for white onion in recipes.
    • I prefer fresh garlic, but jarred garlic can be used in a pinch.
    • You can use any hot sauce you prefer. However, always use spicy ingredients sparingly and taste as you cook. Leave this ingredient out if you are sensitive to heat and prefer mild food.
    Pinto beans added to the cauliflower cilantro lime rice ,and  sofritas in the vegan Chipotle bowl on the coutner
    • Next, heat over medium-low, and spoon on as the second layer of the Chipotle bowl. 
    • The next layer of the vegan Lifestyle Chipotle bowl is fresh corn salsa. 
    Corn salsa in a bowl on the counter with a spoon in it.
    • I make my own corn salsa, but there are many tomato-free corn salsas at the grocery store. One of my favorites is Trader Joe's Corn Salsa.

    Other Ingredient Options

    • Jarred or fresh salsa of choice
    • Fruit Salsa Recipe
    • Chopped tomatoes
    • Grilled, canned, or frozen corn
    Vegan Chipotle bowl recipe complete in a bowl on the counter.
    • The final layer of the vegan lifestyle Chipotle bowl recipe is the garnishes.
    • Instead of guacamole, I chose fresh avocado slices, jalapeños, grape tomatoes, and lime wedges. 
    Vegan Chipotle Bowl in a bowl garnished with avocado, limes, tomatoes and jalapeños.

    Other Possible Garnishes

    • Vegan Sour Cream
    • Salsa
    • Vegan Southwest Dressing drizzled on top

    Recipe FAQs

    What size bowl does Chipotle use?

    Chipotle uses a 32-ounce bowl for its bowl dishes.

    How many calories are in Chipotle's vegan bowl?

    Chipotle Vegan Burrito Bowl With Tofu (1 serving) contains 63g total carbs, 47g net carbs, 31g fat, 30g protein, and 654 calories.

    What is the difference between a Lifestyle Bowl and a Salad Bowl at Chipotle?

    When it comes down to comparing lifestyle bowls to burrito bowls from Chipotle, the biggest difference is just how they are made. Lifestyle bowls are pretty specific and include more of a salad base to support a healthy lifestyle.

    Tips

    • Make the sofritas in advance.
    • Instead of sofritas, try vegan lentil meat for a tofu-free option.
    • The bowl can be eaten hot or cold.
    • Choose guacamole and sales instead of sliced avocado and corn salsa.
    • Add any toppings you enjoy; don't restrict yourself. Instead, be creative.
    • When working with jalapeno peppers, always wear gloves to avoid contact burns. Remove the seeds and veins before chopping and adding to a recipe.
    • Grape tomatoes have fewer seeds and are preferred in Mexican recipes.
    • To save time, buy frozen cauliflower rice, or already riced cauliflower available in the produce section.

    Make a healthier vegan version at home the next time you crave Chipotle Lifestyle Bowl! With layers of fresh vegetables and other goodies, this bowl will bring you back for more!

    Other Great Vegan Mexican Dishes

    • Vegan Crunchwrap Supreme
      Vegan Crunchwrap Supreme
    • vegan nacho cheese sauce
      The Best Vegan Nacho Cheese
    • vegan enchilada pasta recipe
      Vegan Enchilada Pasta
    • Vegan black bean lentil burrito
      Vegan Lentil Black Bean Burrito

    If you love this Vegan Lifestyle Chipotle Bowl recipe, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!

    📖 Recipe

    Vegan Chipotle Bowl

    Vegan Chipotle Bowl

    Kathy Carmichael
    Build a vegan Chipotle bowl at home with fresh, healthy ingredients, oil-free. Skip the drive-thru and eat healthy at home with this copycat version of Chipotles LifeStyle Vegan Bowl.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Entrees
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 6 serviings
    Calories 310 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Cauliflower Cilantro Rice

    • 1 head cauliflower riced in a food processor or using a box grater
    • ½ cup vegetable broth
    • ¼ cup lime juice
    • ½ cup chopped cilantro

    Sofritas

    • 1 recipe sofritas

    Spicy Pinto Beans

    • ½ cup white onion diced
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 15 ounces can pinto beans rinsed and drained
    • 2 teaspoons hot sauce of choice

    Corn Salsa

    • 1 recipe corn salsa

    Garnishes

    • 2 avocados sliced thin
    • 3 jalapenos deseeded and sliced thin
    • 3 limes quartered
    • 1- pint grape tomatoes cut in half

    Instructions
     

    Cauliflower Cilantro Rice

    • Wash and remove the core from the cauliflower.
    • Cut the cauliflower into pieces and place into a large food processor bowl fitted with a large blade, or use a box grater on the medium grate setting.
    • Pulse the cauliflower until the cauliflower resembles rice.
    • Place cauliflower in a large skillet and heat to medium-low
    • Add ½ cup vegetable broth, stir, cover the skillet, and cook/steam, for 5-8 minutes.
    • Remove the cover and add the lime juice and cilantro. Stir and heat through, then remove from heat.

    Sofritas

    • Prepare 1 recipe of sofritas

    Spicy Pinto Beans

    • In a saucepan over medium-low heat, saute the onion and garlic until the onion is translucent.
    • Add the drain and rinsed pinto beans and hot sauce
    • Stir until heated through

    Corn Salsa

    • Prepare 1 recipe corn salsa

    Building a Vegan Chipotle Bowl

    • In bowls or plates, divide the cauliflower cilantro rice on the bottom of each bowl/plate.
    • Then add a serving of sofritas, followed by a serving of beans, then corn salsa.
    • Garnish with avocado slices, tomatoes, jalapenos, and limes.

    Notes

    • Use Jarred or fresh salsa of choice instead of corn salsa. 
    • For a tofu-free option, try vegan lentil meat.
    • The fruit salsa recipe is excellent for incorporating fruit into the Chipotle bowl. 
    • Vegan Sour Cream is another great topping.
    • If using frozen riced cauliflower, do not thaw it before cooking, and use half the vegetable broth in the recipe. 
    • Take a shortcut and buy cauliflower that is already priced in the grocery store's produce section. 
    • Serve the bowl hot or cold based on preference.
    • Omit the hot sauce and jalapeños for a milder version. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 19gFat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gSodium: 882mgPotassium: 1324mgFiber: 16gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1194IUVitamin C: 89mgCalcium: 105mgIron: 6mg
    Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Kathy Carmichael

    Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

    www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Terri S

      September 04, 2023 at 10:09 am

      5 stars
      My whole family really enjoys these bowls. The sofritas are delicious and I am in LOVE with the corn salsa! Thank you for this fantastic recipe!

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        September 04, 2023 at 2:30 pm

        Hi, Teri. I love it when the whole family is on board. I'm glad you liked the sofritas and corn salsa. Thank you for the feedback.

        Reply
    2. Keri Mager

      March 07, 2022 at 7:24 am

      My husband and I love the sofritas at chipotle, but these bowls were wayyy better, and we have left overs for at least a couple days - thank you for this!

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        March 07, 2022 at 8:40 am

        Hi Keri, that's a compliment! Shhhh...don't tell Chipotle. I'm really happy you two enjoyed the bowls. My hubby loves them too.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kathy! I love creating delicious whole foods plant-based recipes. I believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet!

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