Why order takeout for your tailgate, graduation party or other festive gatherings? For a customizable budget-friendly party menu, whip up a spread of easy Chipotle copycat recipes so guests can build their own bowls, burritos, tacos, or salads.
In addition to spreads of charcuterie and barbecue, one of the most popular graduation party themes in the Midwest is a build-your-own taco bar. With a guest count of 100 (plus or minus 50, depending on the weather), a menu you can stretch and customize is clutch for grad parties, or honestly any time you’re hosting a crowd.
Considering you already have to deal with tidying up your home and coordinating drinks and decor, many hosts opt to outsource to a caterer or restaurant. I’m all for delegating, but once you consider that Chipotle catering clocks in at $8 to $13.50 per person not including chips, salsa, and guac, you might be considering cancelling the festivities all together.
Before you call things off, take a deep breath, brush up on my budget-friendly hosting tips, and then read on for a DIY Chipotle buffet menu. My restaurant copycat recipes taste just like the fast casual fare you know and love, but that payoff comes at a fraction of the price. Choose a protein or two, add rice and beans, warm up some store-bought tortillas, set out a big bowl of lettuce, sprinkle in some cups of shredded cheese, salsas, and guac (bonus scoops never cost extra here!), and round things out with a cooler full of sodas and pitcher of margaritas.
Rather than canceling, you might just want to pull out your calendar to see how soon you can recreate this Chipotle buffet menu again.
Chicken, pork, or beef? Nope, I’m not asking your preference for a wedding prix fixe; I’m offering up your centerpiece options for this Chipotle buffet! You can’t go wrong with any or all of the above, but I’m particularly partial to barbacoa and carnitas for parties since both of these Chipotle copycat recipes come together (and can stay warm in) a slow cooker.
For plant-based guests, consider my copycat Chipotle Sofritas, a delicious, spicy braised tofu.
Position your protein next to bowls or plates, then reserve space for a stack of small and large tortillas and a big bowl of chopped greens. Before guests arrive, I like to post a sign with a “checklist” to walk guests through the stations to build their own bowls, tacos, burritos, or salads.
Chipotle Barbacoa (Copycat)
You'll love this Chipotle Barbacoa Recipe! Start with an easy marinade, then slow cook the beef until it's meltingly tender. It tastes even better than the real thing!
You can make authentic Chipotle Carnitas at home to fill tacos, burritos, or a homemade Chipotle Bowl; all you need is a secret ingredient and a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
Skip the restaurant and make your own copycat Chipotle Chicken recipe at home. The marinade is quick, easy, healthy, and tastes even better than the real thing! Make white meat or dark meat and follow my instructions for either baking or grilling.
This copycat Chipotle Steak recipe tastes even better than the real thing. The marinade is quick and easy and full of the smoky, spicy flavors you love!
This Chipotle Sofritas recipe tastes just like the original! Shredded tofu braised in spices makes a great vegan option for burritos, tacos, and salads.
Whether you’re building a bowl, salad, or burrito, rice and beans are a must in my opinion. Plus they can act as sides for tacos. Station these after the proteins and foundation-setting carbs or greens, along with fajita veggies to act as bonus toppings or a “protein” for those who’d prefer a vegetarian option.
Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice (Copycat)
Learn the secrets to making Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice in the comfort of your own kitchen. This copycat recipe starts with getting the right type of rice and cooking it in a non-traditional way. This rice is soft and fluffy with just the right amount of chew and no stickiness.
These copycat Chipotle Black Beans are easy to make, inexpensive, and healthy! Add to burritos and salads or serve with rice for a tasty vegetarian meal.
An easy recipe for grilled Fajita Veggies, just like they make at the Chipotle restaurant. Colorful, tender-crisp, and healthy, these grilled veggies are ready in minutes. And you can add in your other favorite vegetables, too!
These copycat Chipotle Pinto Beans are easy to make, inexpensive, and healthy! Add to burritos and salads or serve with rice for a tasty vegetarian meal.
Just like no outfit is complete without a piece of flair or two, no Chipotle buffet is guest-ready until you add the accessories. Tortilla chips, guacamole, and salsa(s) are a must, and if you’ll be recommending salad as an option, don’t forget a bottle or jar of the most addictive dressing you’ll ever drizzle.
Chipotle Tomato Salsa (Copycat)
Also known as Pico de Gallo, this copycat Chipotle Tomato Salsa is ready in minutes and a great way to top off all your burrito bowls, tacos, and nachos.
This Chipotle Guacamole recipe is the real deal. With just seven ingredients and a few minutes, enjoy as much Chipotle Guacamole at home as you can mash!
Chipotle Hot Salsa, a tomatillo and red chili salsa based on Chipotle's famous version, puts a little fire on your burritos, tacos, and salads. Break open that bag of tortilla chips; this salsa is ready to dip in just under twenty minutes.
A sweet salsa with medium heat, copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa recipe is made roasted poblano peppers, jalapeños, red onion, citrus juice, and plenty of corn. Use frozen corn like Chipotle does, or follow my easy tutorial for fresh corn.
Alongside a cooler or two of sodas and sparkling waters for those under 21 and a few cases of beer, I like to mix up a signature cocktail that matches the Tex-Mex theme. Tequila certainly says “party time,” if you ask me!
If you don’t want to commit to a full batch of spiked sips, consider making pitchers of Watermelon Agua Fresca to offer alongside bottles of tequila, vodka, or rum so the adults can dial in the strength and flavor of their cocktail.
Margarita
A good Margarita needs no frills: just high-quality tequila, triple sec, and the freshest citrus juice. Simple syrup is optional, and use a blend of lemon and lime for deeper flavors.
Made from dried Hibiscus Flowers, this Agua de Jamaica recipe is one of my favorite all-ages drink recipes and is a tart herbal tea you can serve hot or cold. Sweeten Hibiscus Tea with sugar or honey for a refreshing summery sip.
Served in a small clay pot with the same name, a Cantarito is a classic Mexican cocktail from the state of Jalisco made with tequila, citrus juices, and soda.
Mexico’s national aperitif, the Paloma cocktail, is a simple tequila drink with a thirst-quenching, irresistible appeal. Move over Margarita, here comes something better!
Agua de Horchata is a sweet, creamy beverage served in many Latin American countries. This version is from Mexico, and it’s so refreshing with tacos, burritos, and fajitas.
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Chipotle Buffet
Why order takeout for your tailgate, graduation party or other festive gatherings? For a customizable budget-friendly party menu, whip up a spread of easy Chipotle copycat recipes so guests can build their own bowls, burritos, tacos, or salads.
Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.
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