Chipotle bowls are a popular meal choice, allowing you to customize your proteins, toppings, and sauces.
Sometimes you may want to heat up a leftover bowl from Chipotle instead of eating it cold. So can you put a Chipotle bowl in the oven to reheat it?
The short answer is yes, you can safely reheat a Chipotle bowl in the oven. However, there are some tips and things to keep in mind when reheating a burrito bowl in the oven to ensure it turns out well.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about reheating Chipotle bowls in the oven.
How to Prepare Your Chipotle Bowl for Reheating
Before you reheat your Chipotle bowl, there are a few preparatory steps to take:
- Remove the lid or aluminum foil. This helps ensure even heating. Leaving foil on may cause some ingredients to steam or get soggy.
- Transfer the bowl contents to an oven-safe dish. The standard Chipotle bowls are not oven-safe. Move everything to a baking dish, casserole dish, or oven-safe plate.
- Stir the ingredients together. Mix up all the bowl ingredients so everything gets evenly heated.
- Cover loosely with foil. Aluminum foil helps retain moisture as you reheat. Cover loosely so steam can escape.
What Temperature and Time Should You Use?
When reheating a Chipotle burrito bowl in the oven, low and slow is best. This prevents ingredients from getting dried out or overcooked.
- Temperature: 300°F to 350°F is ideal. This gives enough heat to warm through without overcooking.
- Time: About 15-20 minutes should suffice depending on volume. Check occasionally and remove once hot.
Go low and slow when reheating a Chipotle bowl in the oven – around 300°F for 15-20 minutes covered loosely in foil. This brings out the best flavor and texture.
Should You Add Extra Moisture?
Some people add a splash of water or oil when reheating rice and meat dishes in the oven to help retain moisture. This step is optional for reheating a Chipotle bowl.
Here are some pro tips:
- For rice bowls, a teaspoon or two of water mixed in can help the rice stay tender after reheating.
- For meat bowls, brush or drizzle a small amount of oil onto the meat before reheating. This adds back moisture lost during initial cooking.
- Keep ingredients like salsa, lettuce, cheese, and sour cream on the side. Add them fresh after reheating so they don’t get soggy.
- Foil covering helps food retain natural moisture from ingredients like beans and meat. Avoid over-covering.
So feel free to experiment with adding a little extra moisture. But often just using foil and the food’s natural moisture gives great results reheating Chipotle in the oven.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While reheating Chipotle bowls in the oven is easy, there are a few mistakes to be aware of:
- Heating at too high of a temperature. This can dry out or burn some ingredients. Stick to 300°F or lower.
- Not stirring the contents before reheating. Ingredients may heat unevenly if not combined.
- Covering too tightly with foil. This creates unwanted steaming. Loosely tent foil instead.
- Not allowing enough time to fully reheat. Check periodically and allow at least 15 minutes for proper heating.
- Putting bowls in cold instead of preheated ovens. Let the oven fully preheat first for best results.
- Microwaving instead of oven heating. The oven gives a better, more even reheating.
Follow the tips in this guide and avoid these common mistakes for foolproof Chipotle bowl reheating every time.
Storing Leftover Chipotle Bowls
To enjoy leftover Chipotle another time, proper storage between reheating is important. Here are some storage tips:
- Let bowls cool completely before refrigerating. Cover tightly and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
- Store individual ingredients separately with rice, meat, cheese, etc in different containers. This prevents sogginess.
- Use shallow, airtight storage containers. This allows for faster cooling in the fridge.
- Place leftovers in the back of the fridge furthest from the door. This area stays the coldest.
- Consume leftovers within 3-4 days for best quality and food safety. The faster you reheat leftovers, the better.
Follow safe leftover guidelines and your leftovers will stay fresh and delicious for multiple Chipotle cravings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reheating Chipotle Bowls
Many people have additional questions about the best way to reheat a Chipotle bowl in the oven. Here are answers to some of the most common Chipotle reheat FAQs:
Can you put a Chipotle bowl in the oven without transferring it?
No, Chipotle’s bowls and foil are not oven-safe. You must transfer the contents to an oven-safe baking dish or plate before reheating. Leaving it in the original bowl risks melting and damage.
What if my bowl contains hot salsa or other liquids?
Absorb excess liquid by wrapping tortillas or paper towels around wet ingredients when transferring them. Or use a slotted spoon. You want just a little liquid, not a soupy bowl.
Should I add extra cheese before reheating a veggie bowl?
Yes, sprinkling on a bit of extra cheese helps enhance the flavor and texture of veggie bowls when reheated. Just avoid over-covering with cheese so the ingredients don’t get soggy.
Can I reheat multiple Chipotle bowls together in the oven?
Yes, you can reheat 2-3 bowls in the oven at once. Use a large casserole dish and stir together the ingredients from the bowls before heating. This allows even reheating.
What’s the best way to reheat a burrito bowl if I don’t have an oven?
You can reheat in the microwave by stirring the contents and heating in 30-second increments. Or use the stovetop – place contents in a skillet and stir gently over medium-low heat until warmed through.
Enjoy Delicious Reheated Chipotle Bowls
Reheating a Chipotle burrito bowl in the oven is easy and delicious when done properly. Follow the tips in this guide for the best results.
Be sure to prepare the bowl correctly, use the right oven temperature and time, and avoid common mistakes.
With a little planning, you can safely reheat those Chipotle leftovers and enjoy all that custom burrito bowl flavor a second time around. Dig into your perfectly reheated Chipotle bowl!
Hi, I’m Julie, the passionate foodie and founder of Juliesfamilykitchen.com. I created this blog out of a drive to prove someone wrong, and then I realized how much I truly enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. In my free time, when I’m not running around after my kids or spending quality time with my partner, you can usually find me in the kitchen experimenting with new dishes.