Can I make Chipotle’s Burrito Bowl cheaper, healthier, and better tasting?

Summary

In this video, the creator tackles the soaring food prices by recreating Chipotle's double steak burrito bowl at home, aiming for a cheaper, lower-calorie, and tastier version. After analyzing the cost and nutritional content of the original, they set a grocery budget and shop for ingredients, focusing on a chuck roast for the steak and optimizing other components like rice, corn salsa, and a cilantro lime avocado crema. The video demonstrates how to pre-prep these elements for quick, weeknight meals, culminating in a final taste test comparing the homemade version to Chipotle's, highlighting the depth of flavor and freshness of the homemade bowl.

Takeaways

• 📈 Food prices have significantly increased, with Chipotle's prices up 10% in Q1 of this year compared to Q1 of 2022.
• 🍽️ The video aims to create a steak burrito bowl that is cheaper, lower in calories, and just as tasty as Chipotle's.
• 📊 The rice constitutes the majority of the total weight of the Chipotle bowl, followed by steak, while steak, guacamole, and sour cream are the main calorie contributors.
• 💰 A grocery budget of $40.48 (the price of two Chipotle bowls) was set to purchase all components, resulting in a total grocery cost of $32.05.
• 🥩 The homemade steak uses a chuck roast for a leaner and more cost-effective option, prepared with cumin seeds and chili powder for flavor.
• 🍚 A Mexican-style rice is made with tomatoes, serrano peppers, and garlic for added flavor, then frozen for convenience.
• 🌽 The corn salsa is enhanced by grilling the corn first, adding a smoky flavor and texture.
• 🥑 A cilantro lime avocado crema is created as a healthier alternative to guacamole and sour cream, combining the best of both.
• 🔥 Pre-preparing components like steak and rice allows for quick assembly of the burrito bowl, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
• 🍲 The homemade burrito bowl costs just over $8 per serving, contains 325 fewer calories, and offers a similar size and taste experience as Chipotle's.

Q & A

What are the three goals the video aims to achieve with the homemade steak burrito bowl?

The video aims to create a steak burrito bowl that is cheaper, lower in calories but the same weight, and better tasting than Chipotle's offering.

How much did the price of Chipotle's steak burrito bowl increase from Q1 2022 to Q1 of the current year?

The price of Chipotle's steak burrito bowl increased by 10% from Q1 2022 to Q1 of the current year.

What is the total cost of the homemade steak burrito bowl compared to the cost of two Chipotle bowls?

The homemade steak burrito bowl costs $32.05, which is the equivalent of the price of two Chipotle bowls at $40.48.

What are the four key areas the video identifies for enhancing the flavor of the homemade burrito bowl?

The four key areas are improving the steak, creating a cilantro lime avocado crema, making a more flavorful Mexican-style rice, and enhancing the corn salsa by grilling the corn first.

What is the method used to pre-prep the steak for the homemade burrito bowl?

The steak is pre-prepped by slicing a chuck roast into thin strips, seasoning it, freezing it, and then cooking it straight from the freezer.

How does the video suggest improving the rice for the homemade burrito bowl?

The rice is improved by toasting it with aromatics like tomatoes, serrano peppers, and garlic, and then simmering it with water and chicken bouillon for added flavor.

What is the difference in calorie count between the homemade and Chipotle's steak burrito bowl?

The homemade steak burrito bowl has 850 calories, which is 325 fewer calories than Chipotle's double steak burrito bowl.

What is the brand of the griddle used in the video, and what are its notable features?

The griddle used in the video is from Made In Cookware. It is a carbon steel griddle, pre-seasoned, suitable for high heat up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, and can be used on the stove, grill, or open flame.

How does the video suggest enhancing the corn salsa for the homemade burrito bowl?

The corn salsa is enhanced by grilling the corn first, then mixing it with cilantro stems, shallots, lime juice, and salt.

What is the cilantro lime avocado crema in the homemade burrito bowl, and how is it made?

The cilantro lime avocado crema is a low-fat alternative to guacamole and sour cream. It is made by blending low-fat sour cream or yogurt, ripe avocado, cilantro, adobo seasoning, and lime juice.