How Much Does It Cost to Make Chipotle at Home: A Complete Guide

Are you a fan of Chipotle but wonder if making your own burritos at home could save you some money? In this guide, we'll break down the costs and benefits of making your own Chipotle-style burritos, including a detailed ingredient list and cost analysis.

Breakdown of Ingredients and Costs

To estimate the cost of making Chipotle-style burritos at home, we'll start by breaking down the main components of a standard burrito. Here's a look at the typical ingredients and their approximate costs:

Ingredients for One Burrito

Tortilla: $0.50 Rice: $0.30 (1/2 cup) Beans: $0.40 (1/2 cup) Protein (e.g., Chicken): $1.50 (4 oz) Cheese: $0.50 (1 oz) Sour Cream: $0.25 (2 oz) Salsa: $0.50 (2 oz) Guacamole: $1.50 (optional, 2 oz)

Total Cost Without Guacamole: $3.45 per burrito

Total Cost With Guacamole: $4.95 per burrito

Chipotle Prices as of August 2023

Burrito without guacamole: Approximately $8.00

Burrito with guacamole: Approximately $9.00

Cost Comparison

Without Guacamole

Cost to make: $3.45 per burrito Cost to buy: $8.00 per burrito Savings per burrito: $4.55

With Guacamole

Cost to make: $4.95 per burrito Cost to buy: $9.00 per burrito Savings per burrito: $4.05

Break-Even Point

To determine how many burritos you would need to make to break even, we'll compare the cost of making the burritos at home with the cost of buying them at Chipotle. Here's the detailed breakdown:

Without Guacamole

The break-even point can be calculated using the formula: Break-even Cost to buy - Cost to make. For the standard burrito without guacamole, the break-even point is:

$8.00 - $3.45 $4.55 savings per burrito

If you spend $10 on ingredients, you would make about 2.9 burritos for $3.45 each. Therefore, to break even, you would need to make approximately 2 burritos.

With Guacamole

For the burrito with guacamole, the break-even point is:

$9.00 - $4.95 $4.05 savings per burrito

If you spend $10 on ingredients, you would make about 2 burritos for $4.95 each. Therefore, to break even, you would need to make approximately 2-3 burritos.

Most Expensive Entree

Among the various entrees at Chipotle, steak burritos tend to be the most expensive, often costing around $9.50 or more, especially when guacamole is added.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis, the cost of making Chipotle-style burritos at home is approximately:

Without guacamole: $3.45 per burrito With guacamole: $4.95 per burrito

The break-even number of burritos needed to make is:

About 2 burritos without guacamole About 2-3 burritos with guacamole

The most expensive entree at Chipotle, steak burritos, can cost around $9.50 or more, especially with guacamole.

This analysis clearly highlights the potential cost savings of making Chipotle-style meals at home versus purchasing them at the restaurant. Whether you're looking to save money or simply enjoy the satisfaction of making your own delicious burritos, this guide provides all the information you need.