Chipotle brings back Smoked Brisket after two-year hiatus
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Smoked Brisket returns to Chipotle’s menu for just the third time.Photo courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle is bringing back its Mesquite-Smoked Brisket in the U.S. and Canada for a limited time beginning Nov. 5.
The protein made its debut on Chipotle’s menu in September 2021 and sold out earlier than anticipated. It returned in September 2024 and helped drive a 4% transaction lift and higher checks during the quarter it was available. At the time, executives said the launch surpassed expectations.
“We were very, very excited about the performance. It hit really high in terms of transactions and those that are switching from all proteins,” Chief Financial Officer Adam Rymer said during the fourth quarter 2024 earnings call in February 2025. “We’re happy with the fact that a lot of our existing customers switched over to brisket. It drove a lot of new customers to the brand, and it sustained really nicely.”
In a statement, Stephanie Perdue, senior vice president of brand marketing, said the brisket is responsibly sourced to meet Chipotle’s “Food with Integrity” standards.
“You can taste that commitment in every bite. Bringing it back in the heart of football season gives fans one more reason to make Chipotle part of their game-day lineup,” she said.
Chipotle said that roughly 5% of U.S. beef meets its animal welfare and quality standards, which require cattle to be raised on a strictly vegetarian diet and without added growth hormones or routine antibiotics, with traceability back to the ranch of origin. The beef is seasoned with spices including smoked serrano and chipotle chile peppers, then smoked over mesquite wood to develop a smoky flavor. Once in restaurants, team members sear the brisket on the plancha, finish it with spices, toss it in a savory sauce made with smoky chile peppers, and hand-chop it in small batches throughout the day.
In a statement, Nevielle Panthaky, senior vice president of culinary, said the signature blend of spices and low-and-slow smoking process gives the brisket a bold and smoky character, “while the plancha sear and savory-tangy sauce create a tender bite with a little kick that’s uniquely Chipotle.”
To celebrate the return of Smoked Brisket, Chipotle invited superfans into its restaurant kitchens to experience firsthand how the protein is prepared. The group includes food creators Max Greb (Max the Meat Guy) and Newton Nguyen (Newt), along with reality star and longtime Chipotle fan Carl Schmidt. Building on the brand’s 100 Creators campaign that launched in August, the new creative, developed with agency partner KIDS, follows Smoked Brisket fans as they join Chipotle team members in the kitchen to prepare the protein and capture the experience from their own perspectives.
Chipotle will offer $0 delivery fees on Smoked Brisket orders placed through the Chipotle app, Chipotle.com, and Chipotle.ca from Nov. 5 through Nov. 18.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]
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