Chipotle Barbacoa Nutrition Facts
Chipotle barbacoa has 170 calories, 24g of protein, and 7g of fat per 4 oz serving. It's responsibly raised beef that's braised for hours, then shredded. Flavor-wise, it's one of the richest options on the menu.
The thing to know about barbacoa: it has the highest sodium of any meat protein at 530mg per serving. That's 70% more than chicken (310mg). If you're watching sodium, this matters.
Barbacoa Nutrition Facts Card
Chipotle barbacoa contains 170 calories, 24g protein, 7g total fat, 2g carbohydrates, and 530mg sodium per 4 oz serving. It ranks second in protein behind chicken (32g) with a protein-per-calorie efficiency of 14.1g per 100 calories. The standout concern is sodium, as barbacoa has the highest sodium of any meat protein at Chipotle.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 4 oz |
| Calories | 170 |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| Sodium | 530mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 2g |
| Protein | 24g |
What Are the Nutrition Facts for Chipotle Barbacoa?
Barbacoa delivers 24g of protein per 170-calorie serving. That's the second highest protein count after chicken (32g). The protein-per-calorie efficiency is 14.1g per 100 calories, which is almost identical to steak (14.0g) and well above carnitas (11.0g).
The 2g of carbs means barbacoa works fine for keto. Not ideal for a zero-carb strict approach, but 2g is negligible in most low-carb plans.
How Does Barbacoa Compare to Other Chipotle Proteins?
Barbacoa sits in the middle of the Chipotle protein lineup. At 170 calories and 24g protein, it’s leaner than carnitas (210 cal, 12g fat) and higher in protein than steak (21g). The protein-per-calorie efficiency of 14.1g per 100 calories is nearly tied with steak (14.0g). The major drawback is 530mg sodium, which is almost double chicken’s 310mg.
| Protein | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium | Per 100 Cal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 180 | 32g | 7g | 0g | 310mg | 17.8g |
| Steak | 150 | 21g | 6g | 1g | 330mg | 14.0g |
| Barbacoa | 170 | 24g | 7g | 2g | 530mg | 14.1g |
| Carnitas | 210 | 23g | 12g | 0g | 450mg | 11.0g |
| Sofritas | 150 | 8g | 10g | 9g | 560mg | 5.3g |
Barbacoa sits in the middle for most things: medium calories, medium fat, second in protein. The outlier is sodium. At 530mg, it's almost double the chicken (310mg).
Is Chipotle Barbacoa High in Sodium?
Yes. 530mg per serving makes barbacoa the highest sodium meat protein at Chipotle. Only sofritas (560mg) is higher.
| Bowl Build | Barbacoa Sodium | Total Bowl Sodium |
|---|---|---|
| Barbacoa + rice + beans + salsa + cheese | 530mg | ~1,840mg |
| Replace with chicken: | 310mg | ~1,620mg |
| Difference: | −220mg | −220mg |
Choosing chicken over barbacoa saves 220mg of sodium. A barbacoa bowl with fresh tomato salsa (550mg) and white rice (350mg) hits about 1,840mg — that's 80% of the recommended daily limit.
What Is the Difference Between Barbacoa and Carnitas?
Both are braised and shredded. Different animals, different macro profiles.
| Attribute | Barbacoa | Carnitas |
|---|---|---|
| Animal | Beef | Pork |
| Calories | 170 | 210 |
| Protein | 24g | 23g |
| Fat | 7g | 12g |
| Carbs | 2g | 0g |
| Sodium | 530mg | 450mg |
Barbacoa has fewer calories, more protein, and less fat. Carnitas has zero carbs and less sodium. Barbacoa is the better pick if you're optimizing for protein. Carnitas is better if carbs and sodium are your concern.
Chipotle Protein Comparison Calculator
Pick any protein to compare side-by-side with barbacoa. Bars animate to show the difference.