Since opening its first location in 1993, Chipotle has become a fast-casual powerhouse, offering a variety of Tex-Mex-inspired burritos and bowls. Alongside meats, salsas, and toppings like guacamole, Chipotle’s cheeses play a key role. With just 53 ingredients on the menu, two types of cheese stand out: Monterey Jack and white cheddar.
For burritos, tacos, and bowls, Chipotle uses shredded Monterey Jack cheese. This semi-hard cheese is known for its creamy texture and mild flavor, complementing the boldness of salsa and seasoned meats. Thanks to its moisture and fat content, Monterey Jack melts effortlessly, making it an ideal topping or key ingredient in a quesadilla or the secret menu item, quesarito. Originally produced in California by Mexican Franciscan friars, Monterey Jack quickly became a staple in Tex-Mex cuisine.
Due to its smooth texture and flavor, adding extra Monterey Jack cheese to your Chipotle order is a popular choice. While the app doesn’t charge extra for it, some customers report additional fees for extra cheese when ordering in-person.
What Type of Cheese Does Chipotle Use in Their Queso?
Although white cheddar is part of Chipotle’s ingredient list, it is not used for the shredded cheese toppings. Instead, it’s reserved for the restaurant’s queso dip, where it’s paired with Monterey Jack cheese. Initially criticized for its texture and taste, Chipotle’s queso has undergone three rounds of reformulation to become the fan-favorite dip enjoyed today. The dip combines white cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese with milk, peppers, and spices, resulting in a smooth, creamy dip that many are happy to pay extra for.
White cheddar is the same cheese Americans know but without the annatto that gives it its classic orange color. This cheese offers a tangy, rich flavor that complements bold ingredients like salsa and guacamole without overwhelming them. Chipotle uses an aged variety of white cheddar, adding a sharp, tangy taste that is balanced by the creamy smoothness of Monterey Jack.
Next time you visit Chipotle, consider ordering your queso on the side. Since queso can make burritos soggy, ordering it separately avoids moisture issues that could lead to a tortilla falling apart.
Where Does Chipotle Get Its Cheese From?
Now that you know the types of cheese Chipotle uses, where do they come from? According to the fast-casual chain, its Monterey Jack cheese is sourced from Wisconsin through Meister Cheese and California through Petaluma Creamery. While Chipotle doesn’t specify the production location of its white cheddar or milk sources, it assures that all its cheeses come from pasture-raised cows, free from rBST (bovine growth hormones).
Each dairy farm that provides Monterey Jack cheese must meet Chipotle’s “Food with Integrity” standards. These standards prohibit the use of artificial hormones and limit the use of antibiotics to sick cows only. The farms are required to offer continuous access to pastures, clean housing, and fresh water.
Chipotle’s focus on sourcing from small to mid-sized farms aligns with its commitment to family-run farms. The company also offers annual seed grants to 50 young farmers (under 40 years old), which includes the dairy farmers who supply its cheese.
