Carnitas

What Chipotle says is in it

What is in Carnitas, by the brand’s own statement: Bay Leaf, Black Pepper, Juniper Berries, Pork, Salt, High Oleic Sunflower Oil and Thyme, seven ingredients in all. On pork the ingredients page says: “To make our Carnitas, we season the pork with an aromatic spice blend, then braise and shred it by hand. The result? Meat that’s fall-apart-in-your-burrito tender. We love how it tastes (obviously), but our Responsibly Raised pork has a special place in our hearts for another reason, too: it was Chipotle founder Steve Ells’ quest to find better pork in the early days that sparked Chipotle’s journey to be on the constant lookout for the best ingredients across the board. Guess you could say that without pork, we might not have ingredients to write home (or to the internet) about.” On juniper berries the ingredients page says: “We use actual juniper berries to season our Carnitas - no added flavors or juniper-berry-like substitutes. With a distinct, pungent flavor and aroma that stands up to rich, meaty dishes, juniper berries are typically sold dried, then crushed to release their flavor.”

On 25 September 2026 Carnitas was listed at all 368 restaurants read, in 48 states and DC. That makes it a core item, on every open menu read.

The record against a day

The calculator record for Carnitas (4 oz) reads 210 calories: 23 g protein, 450 mg sodium, 0 g carbohydrate, 12 g fat. That is 10 percent of a 2,000 calorie day and 20 percent of the 2,300 mg sodium daily value. Cholesterol is not in the calculator; the printed sheet’s row for Carnitas gives 65 mg for the same portion.

Five more portions carry their own records: kid’s portion, 2 oz at 110 calories; half portion at 105 calories (calories only); extra portion, double protein at 420 calories (calories only); side of carnitas at 210 calories; family meal portion, 8 oz, serves 2 at 420 calories (calories only). The build on an entree page sums whichever portion the format serves: a kid’s meal counts the kid’s portion.

What it costs

Carnitas is included in every entree at the format’s portion; what the menus price is a second portion: $4.75 at the median on a burrito, in a bowl or on a salad ($4.10 to $5.85, 368 restaurants) and $8.00 at the median in a family meal ($7.00 to $9.00, 368 restaurants). The brand’s double protein offer terms of 27 August 2026 put it this way: “Mixed protein orders will be charged for the higher-priced protein.”

What the chart says

The chart’s row for Carnitas says it contains none of the four chart allergens; it is marked keto and paleo. “FOR THOSE WHO AVOID PORK: Our carnitas are made with pork.” The chart’s standing cautions apply to every row: “Individual foods may come into contact with one another during preparation, which is not reflected on this chart.”

Where it turns up on the menu

Carnitas is the protein of seven entrees on the board: Carnitas Burrito, Carnitas Bowl, Carnitas Salad, Carnitas Tacos (3), Carnitas Quesadilla, Carnitas Kid’s Build Your Own and Carnitas Kid’s Quesadilla. It is a part of one configured meal: Family Meal - Carnitas.

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