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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.
Table of Contents
Chipotle Buffet Proteins
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.
1
Chipotle Barbacoa (Copycat)
2
Chipotle Carnitas Copycat
3
Chipotle Chicken (Copycat)
4
Chipotle Steak (Copycat)
5
Chipotle Sofritas (Copycat)
Chipotle Buffet Side Dishes
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.
6
Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice (Copycat)
7
Chipotle Black Beans (Copycat)
8
Fajita Veggies (Chipotle Copycat)
9
Chipotle Pinto Beans (Copycat)
Chipotle Buffet Sauces and Snacks
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.
10
Chipotle Tomato Salsa (Copycat)
11
Homemade Tortilla Chips
12
Chipotle Guacamole (Copycat)
13
Chipotle Hot Salsa (Copycat)
14
Chipotle Tomatillo Green-Chili Salsa (Copycat)
15
Chipotle Vinaigrette
16
Chipotle Corn Salsa (Copycat)
Chipotle Buffet Drink Pairings
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.
17
Margarita
18
Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Tea)
19
Cantarito
20
Paloma Cocktail
21
Agua de Horchata (Rice Water)
Join Us
Chipotle Buffet
Ingredients
- Chipotle Chicken
- Chipotle Barbacoa
- Chipotle Carnitas
- Chipotle Steak
- Chipotle Soritas
- Chipotle Cilantro-Lime Rice
- Chipotle Black Beans
- Chipotle Pinto Beans
- Chipotle Fajita Veggies
- Chipotle Guacamole
- Chipotle Tomato Salsa
- Chipotle Tomatillo Salsa
- Chipotle Corn Salsa
- Chipotle Hot Salsa
- Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette
Instructions
- Quantities will vary depending on the number of guests.
Nutrition
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.
Meggan … Thank you (specifically) and also thank you to all of the Staff at your website and at the Culinary Hill company. So many of us are really appreciative that you made all of these wonderful recipes available. Just in my opinion, Chipotle’s has gotten a little TOO BIG FOR ITS BRITCHES, and they want to charge (get this !?!?!?!) something like almost $12+ dollars and (sometimes) more like $15-$18 for a burrito like I like it.
Oh yes, do I remember the days when they were like $6.75 and then (later) $8.50. Sure, both of those prices are more understandable. But, not almost TWENTY BUCKS for hardly any goodies inside — if you don’t beg them for “extra rice”, “extra beans”, “another scoop of that”, etc. Thus, most Americans can’t afford being hit-up that hard with every meal.
It’s $70 / $80 bucks just for myself, wife, Momma (who doesn’t eat much), and our pumpkins (two Dogsters) — by time you get some side chips, extra chicken on wife & mine, more tortillas, and side of queso. It’s just too much, especially if you Teach for a living. So, again, I am appreciative from depths of my heart to the Crew behind Culinary Hill who helps us in the Middle Class try to stay “somewhat” still in the middle class.
You’re so welcome, DavidF! I’m so happy that you are able to enjoy a delicious meal for everyone for less than the in-store prices! – Meggan
ok, love this!!! and may i ask where all the dishes and bowls are from ?!? looks amazing
Hi Renee, thank you so much for your question and thank you for your comment! I asked our videographer who shot these photos, and she said that the oval ones are from pottery barn, some of bowls are from CB2, and the little condiment tray is from Amazon. Take care! – Meggan
What would the quantities be for 50 people?
Hi Lisa, the exact amounts will vary on what you would like to serve and the dietary restrictions of your guests. As a general guideline per person, plan to have 4 to 5 ounces of cooked protein (about 12 1/2 to 15 1/2 pounds total), 1/2 cup cooked rice (25 cups total), 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup cooked beans (12 1/2 to 16 1/2 cups total), at least 2 tablespoons salsa (6 1/4 cups total), at least 2 tablespoons guacamole (6 1/4 cups total), 1 to 2 tablespoons each for cheese and sour cream (6 1/4 cup to 12.5 cups total), and about 2 ounces tortilla chips (about 6 1/4 pounds total). If you’re planning to have tortillas, plan for at least 2 per person (100 total). Also plan to have toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, which could be about 1/2 ounce each per person.
The amount of each could be split between different options, such as beef, chicken, and tofu (sofritas), or having both pinto and black beans for your guests. I hope this helps and please let me know how your buffet turns out! – Meggan