Chipotle Queso Blanco Review

Chipotle does a lot of things right – their overstuffed burritos, their fluffy rice, their perfectly-prepared meats, and their seamless service line. But the queso has always been subpar at best, and If you have to pay extra for queso, it should be one of those add-ons you’re thrilled to pay extra for (maybe not thrilled, but at least not begrudged). I’ve never been impressed until recently, when Chipotle introduced their new Chipotle’s Queso Blanco – it’s more than an improvement from the chain’s previous queso version – it’s a whole level up. 

History and Inspiration

In early 2020, Chipotle replaced its queso with a new recipe, hoping to find a recipe that appeals to more customers. The previous cheese sauce was a yellow queso with aged cheddar, tomatillos, tomatoes, and a variety of peppers.

The company introduced a new queso in 2017, but it didn’t quite hit the spot. A few months later, they rolled out a revamped version, but the results weren’t much better. Customers called it gooey and gritty – two words that shouldn’t be used to describe queso. The issue Chipotle ran into is that it’s built a brand on natural and authentic foods with no additives, but authentic queso isn’t natural and natural queso isn’t authentic. So they created a queso using potato starches and tapioca, giving the queso a gritty texture that not many people cared for. 

The new queso introduced this year is a white queso made up of 13 real ingredients, and it’s much better than previous releases. The chain has been testing the new replacement queso in Dallas, Detroit and San Diego with a better response. Under CEO Brian Niccol, Chipotle plans to introduce one to two menu items per year.

Types of Chipotle Queso

Chipotle’s Queso Blanco only comes in one type – yummy. It’s made in a big pot, so it’s not prepared on a order-by-order basis. But you can order it as a small side or as a large and add it to any of your Chipotle favorites. 

Chipotle Queso Review

Chipotle’s Queso Blanco is everything the old queso wasn’t. The new sauce is smooth where the previous queso was grainy and flavorful where the old one was kind of flat. This Queso Blanco is infused with poblanos, serranos, and chipotle peppers, giving us a balanced, warm heat that spices up our meals without burning our tongue or boring our taste buds. If you’re sensitive to heat, pour lightly until you’ve taste-tested it. 

1.      Taste and Texture [4/5]

The new Chipotle Queso Blanco recipe uses 13 real ingredients, including aged Monterey Jack, white cheddar, and serrano, poblano and chipotle peppers. No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives are added, so it’s still natural and authentic- in line with the Chipotle brand. It’s a thick, smooth queso with bold cheesy flavors and just the right amount of spice, and a smokey finish. It really enhances the flavor of any of Chipotle’s menu items, from tortilla chips to Burrito Bowls.

2. Is it healthy? [3/5]

Queso is full of fat and calories, so it’s not considered a healthy item.  However, considering that queso is typically made with Velveeta cheese and a can of Ro-Tel diced tomatoes and green chiles, creating a healthy, authentic version is quite a feat. The saving grace with Chipotle’s Queso Blanco is that it’s made with natural ingredients, so at least you’re not ingesting additives or preservatives. Over 60% of the calories in this queso come from fat, which isn’t surprising. 

But if you want to enjoy the queso without the extra calories, you can order a small side and pour it over one of Chipotle’s healthier menu items. A couple of options include a burrito bowl with any protein, plus beans, and extra fajita veggies, without the rice. You could also choose a steak salad with beans, guacamole, and extra salsa without the dressing and cheese. Pour a little bit of queso on either of those, and you’ll be happy you did! 

3. Are they Worth it? [4/5]

Maybe you’ve completely written off the old Chipotle queso because of it’s off-putting taste and texture. I feel you on that, but I’d recommend giving it one more shot. Keep in mind it won’t taste like the Velveeta and Ro-Tel version of Tex Mex queso, but it also won’t taste like the grainy starchy queso Chipotle put out a few years ago. I really enjoy dipping chips in a side of queso and salsa, but I’m from Texas, so it’s a staple food item for me. Not a lot of places do queso right by Texans’ standards, but this one is tasty and slightly healthy (by comparison). I’d say it’s worth it.

Final Verdict

I think I can add the Chipotle Queso Blanco to the list of menu items Chipotle does right. Cheesy, smooth, and fresh, it’s a huge improvement on previous offerings, and it’s widely received as a better, tastier queso. 

Chipotle Queso Nutrition Facts 

Large

• Calories – 480 
• Fat – 37g 
• Sodium – 980 mg
• Carbs – 14 g 
• Protein – 20 g

 

Small

• Calories – 120 
• Fat – 8 g 
• Sodium – 200 mg
• Carbs – 4 g 
• Protein – 60 g

Chipotle Queso Pricing 

Customers can order queso on their entrée, or on the side in two sizes with chips. The price may vary slightly depending on your location, but generally, it ranges from $1.25 to add it to an entrée to $5.25 for a large side order. This is a fair price for a fresh, high-quality queso that isn’t riddled with GMOs or additives. Just for fun, a package of Velveeta cheese would cost at least $5, and it’s full of ingredients we probably can’t even pronounce. Seems like Chipotle’s pricing is pretty fair in that regard. 

What do you think?

Is the new Chipotle Queso Blanco an improvement on any of the previously-released quesos? Do you purchase a small-size to add on to your entree or do you purchase a large and scoop it up chip by chip? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. 

Looking for a salsa to spice up your queso? Check out our Chipotle Salsa recipe.