If Chipotle is one of your go-to fast casual restaurants, you know that one of the best parts of this popular chain is how many customization options it offers. Sometimes, though, having more options can actually make decisions tougher. When ordering Chipotle, plenty of people make the mistake of choosing the wrong meat to add to their meals. If you've ever found yourself in the restaurant's line stuck between ordering steak and carne asada because you simply don't know the difference, you're definitely not alone. Luckily, the differences are really quite simple, and knowing exactly what they are will make your next trip to Chipotle that much easier.
Ultimately, the differences between Chipotle's classic steak and its carne asada come down to the cut of meat that's used, how it's cooked and cut, and the seasonings that are included. So, aside from both of these protein options coming from the same beef, they're actually very different options that will each offer something specific and unique to your meal.
Carne asada first hit the restaurant's menu in 2019 as one of Chipotle's limited-time meats. According to apress release, over 10 million different customers ordered the meat option during its first tenure. It returned in 2020 and is back again as of September 2023. Clearly, folks didn't need to know all the details about Chipotle's carne asadabefore giving the protein option a try. For others, though, differentiating it from Chipotle's standard steak was a bit tricky.
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Ultimately, both Chipotle's steak option and its carne asada come from itshormone and antibiotic-free beef. The cut and seasonings are what set the two apart. The carne asada is seasoned with spices like cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper, as well as lime juice and finely chopped cilantro. Chipotle's carne asada is always made with skirt steak, ensuring that it's consistently juicy and tender. It's then cut into thin slices rather than cubes. How and at what temperature the carne asada is cooked is entirely dependent on the specific cut.
Carne asada is clearly popular enough to make multiple returns to Chipotle's menu. Even so, as of now, it's still only a limited-time option. In its third iteration, though, this beloved protein pick is available in the new Carne Asada Quesadilla, as well as in its other standard forms.
Classic Steak
While carne asada may be an elusive item on Chipotle's menu, its classic steak is always available. Instead of using a particular cut for its steak as it does with its carne asada, Chipotle sources its steak from many different cuts of beef. Theseincludethe inside round, the outside round, the bottom and top rounds, and the eye of round, as well as sirloin, sirloin top, ball tip, and knuckle. The steak is prepared sous videover low heat for a longer cooking time than the chain's carne asada. This helps keep the meat from being tough, regardless of the cut. It's then cooked to medium rare with a charred outer portion.
The blend of spices on the chain's steak differs from that of its carne asada. Both share the classic blend of salt, pepper, cumin, and oregano, but the steak's seasoning is finished with chipotle pepper and garlic. Finally, the steak is cut into small, bite-sized chunks rather than larger, thinner slices.
Ultimately, both Chipotle's steak option and its carne asada come from its hormone and antibiotic-free beef. The cut and seasonings are what set the two apart. The carne asada is seasoned with spices like cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper, as well as lime juice and finely chopped cilantro.
The steak gets marinated in this adobo sauce before being put on the grill. The carne asada meanwhile, isn't marinated but simply seasoned with an undisclosed unique blend of spices. Unlike the steak, the carne asada also gets garnished with cilantro and lime juice.
Carne asada literally translates to "grilled beef," and, at its simplest, it can be no more than a steak, seasoned with salt and pepper, cooked over a hot fire.
Our steak, meanwhile, comes from all over: bottom rounds, top rounds, eye of rounds, inside round, outside round, sirloin, knuckle, ball tip, and sirloin top. You get the picture. Lots of rounds. These cuts hold up to the heat of the grill, giving each bite a nicely charred outside and a perfect medium-rare inside.
But the item has always been an LTO because supplies are limited by Chipotle's tough sourcing standards. The beef must be raised responsibly with a vegetarian diet and no antibiotics or added hormones. The Newport Beach, Calif.
WHAT IS CARNE ASADA? This tender steak is hand-seasoned with our signature blend of spices, finished with fresh lime juice and cilantro, hand-sliced before serving, and grilled fresh every day in small batches. Our steak has high standards—in how it's raised, prepared, and served.
How is chipotle steak so tender? Chipotle tenderizes their steak by cooking it sous vide. The steak is vacuum-sealed in a bag and cooked in a water bath at a consistent temperature to lock in moisture. Then it's marinated overnight.
The steak gets its flavor from a combination of chipotle chili, black pepper, cumin, garlic, and oregano, which form an adobo sauce, a self-identified former Chipotle employee revealed on a Reddit thread.
Carnitas is made with pork that has been braised or slow-cooked until it's fork-tender.Carne asada is made with beef that has been grilled to perfection. Al pastor is made with pork that has been grilled and then sliced off the spit. All three of these dishes are delicious when topped with your favorite toppings.
If you're looking for a healthy balance of fat, protein, and carbs, your best meat options would be plain grilled chicken, steak, or barbacoa. Between those options, they include no more than 7 grams (g) of fat, at least 21g of protein, and no more than 2g of carbs.
If you're looking for a healthy balance of fat, protein, and carbs, your best meat options would be plain grilled chicken, steak, or barbacoa. Between those options, they include no more than 7 grams (g) of fat, at least 21g of protein, and no more than 2g of carbs.
Since the carne asada has no sign of being spicy, feel free to heat it up on your own, perhaps dousing it with any of the three Tabasco sauces usually on hand at Chipotle locations.
Think of it as like how Americans refer to chicken cooked on the grill as grilled or barbecued chicken. Before and after grilling, the beef is marinated in traditional Mexican spices like jalapeno, garlic, and cilantro plus lime juice and salt, creating the flavor that everyone knows and loves today.
Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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