Bowl builder + the family meal that feeds 4-6 - Prices & $10 promo code - Updated July 2026
Build Your Own Chipotle - Quick Answer
"Build your own" at Chipotle means two things. Every day, you build your own bowl, burrito, tacos, salad or quesadilla by picking a protein (a bowl starts at $9.79) and then piling on free rice, beans, salsas and toppings - only guac or queso costs extra (about $2.90). Separately, there is the Build-Your-Own Chipotle family meal, an online-only kit that feeds 4-6 for less than $10 a person (chicken averages around $59). First time trying it? Code TRYBYOC knocks $10 off in the app.
Here is what I love about Chipotle: there is no "wrong" order. The whole menu is really just a starting point, and you are the one who decides what ends up in the bowl. After years of standing in that line (and testing every combination I probably should not admit to), I put together this guide to cover both sides of "build your own."
First, the everyday way you build your own burrito bowl or burrito - every station, what is free, what costs extra, and the exact 2026 prices. Then the newer Build-Your-Own Chipotle family meal that feeds a whole table, plus the verified $10 promo code most people do not know about. Let us build.
When people search "build your own Chipotle," they are usually after one of two very different things. Here is the difference, because it changes how (and where) you order.
This is the classic. Every single order at Chipotle is build-your-own - you pick a base (bowl, burrito, tacos, salad or quesadilla), walk the line or tap through the app, and add exactly what you want. One person, one meal, endless combinations. This is what most of this guide is about.
This one is newer and catches people off guard. Build-Your-Own Chipotle (BYOC) is a separate, online-only product - a big shareable kit that feeds 4-6 people. Everyone assembles their own bowl, burrito or taco from one order. Perfect for family dinner or an office lunch. Jump to that section if that is what you need.
Whether you are standing at the counter or ordering in the Chipotle app, the build always follows the same five stations. Move left to right and you cannot go wrong:
Burrito bowl, burrito, tacos, salad or quesadilla. The bowl is the crowd favorite - all the fillings, no tortilla, and the easiest to keep low-carb or portion out for meal prep.
Chicken, steak, barbacoa, carnitas, sofritas (the plant-based one) or whatever seasonal protein is running. This single choice sets the base price of your whole meal.
White or brown cilantro-lime rice, plus black or pinto beans. Both are included - no upcharge - so do not be shy. Want more? Ask for a scoop of both beans.
Any of the four salsas, plus fajita veggies, romaine lettuce, shredded cheese and sour cream. All free. This is where a $9.79 bowl quietly becomes a very full $9.79 bowl.
Guacamole or queso blanco (about $2.90 each) or double protein if you are hungry. Then pick pickup or delivery and check out.
Pro tip: Want to know the calories before you commit? Build the exact same bowl in our free Chipotle nutrition calculator and watch the macros update as you add each ingredient. It is a game-changer if you are tracking protein.
Your base is the first decision, and honestly it is the one people overthink. They all cost the same for a given protein - the difference is texture, portability and how much you can pile in. Here is the quick honest breakdown:
| Base | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Burrito Bowl | Most food, easiest to customize | No tortilla calories; great for meal prep and low-carb. |
| Burrito | Eating on the go | The tortilla adds ~320 calories. Can only hold so much. |
| Tacos (3) | Sharing or lighter portions | Soft or crispy shells; fillings split across three. |
| Salad | Lowest-carb, lightest build | Romaine base swaps in for rice; add the vinaigrette. |
| Quesadilla | Cheesy comfort pick | App/online only; sides come on the side. |
My honest take? If you cannot decide, get the bowl. It holds the most, it is the easiest to tweak, and if you want the tortilla experience you can always add a side tortilla and wrap it yourself. Compare full bowl prices or burrito prices if you are price-checking.
Here is the part that surprises people: a loaded bowl and a plain bowl cost the same. Your price is set the moment you pick a protein - everything at the free stations is already included. The only thing that moves the number is guac, queso or doubling your protein.
| Protein | Bowl / Burrito (avg) | + Guac |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken | $9.79 | $12.70 |
| Sofritas / Veggie | $9.79 | Guac free |
| Carnitas | $10.53 | $13.44 |
| Steak / Barbacoa | $11.68 | $14.59 |
National averages verified across 3,600+ US locations, July 2026. The cheapest stores run about $8.30; the priciest (NYC) about $12.10 - check your location.
The money hack: Order a Sofritas or Veggie bowl and the guacamole is free - so you get the most food for $9.79. Pile on double beans and fajita veggies (also free) and it is genuinely one of the best-value meals in fast food.
Building online is honestly easier than the line - no pressure, no forgetting the salsa, and you can see your total update in real time. Open the Chipotle app or chipotle.com, choose Burrito Bowl (or any base), and tap through each station. A few things worth knowing:
Feeding a crowd? This is the one that quietly became my favorite party trick. The Build-Your-Own Chipotle (BYOC) family meal is a digital-exclusive kit that feeds 4-6 people for less than $10 a person. It arrives as a spread of big containers, and everyone builds their own bowl, burrito or taco at the table - no line, no juggling separate orders, no one complaining you got their salsa wrong.
| Protein | Meal Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken / Sofritas | ~$59 | Best value per person |
| Carnitas | ~$63 | A few dollars more |
| Steak / Barbacoa | ~$67 | Premium proteins |
Prices vary by location and protein. Chipotle markets it as "less than $10 a person."
BYOC is online-only. In the Chipotle app or on chipotle.com, choose "Build-Your-Own Chipotle," customize the spread, and pick it up (ready in as little as 15 minutes) or have it delivered. Hosting something bigger? Order a little earlier and compare it with our Chipotle catering guide for larger crowds.
If you have never tried the family meal, this is the nudge: Chipotle is running a first-timer discount that most people scroll right past.
Verified Promo Code
TRYBYOC
$10 off one Build Your Own item
Want more ways to save? See our regularly updated Chipotle promo codes and coupons page.
Analysis paralysis at the counter is real. If you just want a proven combo, steal one of these - each is dialed in for a different goal.
~50g+ protein. More in the high-protein guide.
Maximum food for $9.79 with free guac.
Keto-friendly. See the keto menu.
Rice, beans, veggies, salsas, cheese and sour cream are all included. Ask for a little more - it is the same price.
Ask for half-and-half (say, half chicken, half steak). Most stores will do it and charge you the higher protein.
If your burrito always breaks, ask for it double-wrapped. It holds together far better, especially for delivery.
Guac is free on Veggie and Sofritas orders. If you want guac anyway, that is the cheapest way to get it.
You lose rewards points and often pay marked-up prices. Order BYOC straight from the Chipotle app or website.
Chipotle isn't the only place that hands you the reins. If build-your-own is your style, two other chains do it just as well - one for burgers, one for salads:
Craving a burger night instead? See how to build your own Wendy's burger - pick your patty, cheese, toppings and sauces - with the full menu and current prices.
Explore the Wendy's menu →Want something lighter? Learn how to build your own Saladworks salad - choose your greens, proteins, toppings and dressings - with the complete menu and prices.
Explore the Saladworks menu →A build-your-own bowl starts at the price of your protein: about $9.79 for chicken, sofritas or veggie, $10.53 for carnitas, and $11.68 for steak or barbacoa. Rice, beans, salsas and standard toppings are included; guac or queso adds about $2.90.
It is a digital-exclusive kit that feeds 4-6 people for less than $10 a person, including a protein, rice, beans, cheese, lettuce, up to three large sides, large guac or queso, 10 tortillas and a large bag of chips. Chicken averages around $59.
Yes - code TRYBYOC takes $10 off one Build Your Own item ordered through order.chipotle.com or the app, valid January 6 through December 31, 2026 (or 100,000 redemptions), limit one per transaction.
Yes. Choose Burrito Bowl (or burrito, tacos, salad or quesadilla) in the app or on chipotle.com and tap through each station. The Build-Your-Own family meal is online-only.
Same price. Every entree is build-your-own, so a set bowl and a custom bowl with the same protein cost the same. For groups, the family meal is cheaper per person than separate entrees.
Rice, beans, all four salsas, fajita veggies, romaine lettuce, cheese and sour cream are included in your base price. Only guacamole and queso cost extra - though guac is free on Veggie and Sofritas bowls.
