Chipotle’s Viral Fajita Quesadilla Hack Is Here To Stay

Bailey Fink
·4 min read

Chipotle heard you and the Keith Lee-approved quesadilla is becoming a permanent menu item!

TikTok is a powerful tool. Not only does it give creators the ability to share their favorite things, but it's also a great place for internet users to lightly harass companies into giving them what they want.

Take Chipotle for example. In December, two food influencers posted about a "secret menu" hack for a quesadilla that tastes like a Philly cheesesteak. After hundreds of customers rushed to Chipotle to try the hack—and gave Chipotle flack when they couldn't get it—Chipotle finally added the item to its permanent menu.

Courtesy of Chipotle/Allrecipes
Courtesy of Chipotle/Allrecipes

Don't know what we're talking about? Here's the lowdown.

What Is The Chipotle Quesadilla Hack?

TikToker Alexis Frost shared the now-viral order, which is a quesadilla made with steak, extra cheese, and fajita veggies, on December 20. A second food TikToker, Keith Lee, responded to Frost's video on December 21 by trying the quesadilla—but with one important upgrade: a side of Chipotle-Honey vinaigrette mixed with sour cream.

Lee's quesadilla and vinaigrette-sour cream combo took off on TikTok with hundreds of creators trying the order. However, while many were enjoying the quesadilla, dozens of others were unable to order it as Chipotle locations across the country began putting the kibosh on the viral sensation.

Some Chipotle locations only allow quesadillas to be ordered via the Chipotle app—and in that case, customers couldn't customize their quesadillas to include fajita vegetables and extra cheese. You also can't order the vinaigrette in-app unless you order a salad.

Additionally, other customers were sharing their experiences where Chipotle workers refused to make the quesadilla for them. TikTok user @bmar1992 shared a video of a sign at her local Chipotle that read "PROTEIN AND CHEESE ONLY ON QUESADILLA! No TikTok trends allowed."

Following the backlash, a Chipotle spokesperson told Today.com, "Currently, our quesadilla offering does not include fajita veggies with a protein, however, we are exploring the possibilities of adding this combination in the future."

And, those weren't just empty words, Chipotle actually delivered.

Is the Chipotle Quesadilla Hack on the Menu?

<p>Chipotle</p>

Chipotle

The Fajita Quesadilla became available on the app and Chipotle website on March 2.

The Fajita Quesadilla is a digital exclusive, meaning you have to order it through the app or on Chiptole.com. On the digital menu, you'll see the option to add Fajita Vegetables to any quesadilla.

All quesadillas are served with three sides—and you'll now have the option to choose the Chipotle-Honey Vinaigrette dressing as one of the sides for a limited time. However, pro tip, if you want to save one of your side options for something else, you can just ask the employees for the dressing when you pick up your order.

How To Make The Fajita Quesadilla At Home

<p>Nea Arentzen</p>

Nea Arentzen

Since Chipotle's announcement, there have been rumblings that the Fajita Quesadilla may not be a permanent menu item. If that's the case, no need to fret, you can just as easily make it at home using this copycat recipe.

Chipotle Fajita Quesadilla

Recipe by Nea Arentzen

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing

  • ½ medium white onion, thinly sliced

  • ½ red bell pepper, thinly sliced

  • ½ green bell pepper, thinly sliced

  • Kosher salt

  • ½ lb sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • ½ teaspoon cumin

  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

  • ½ teaspoon chili powder or chipotle powder

  • 2 (12-inch) tortillas

  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

  • 1 batch of creamy chipotle vinaigrette dipping sauce

Instructions:

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet over medium-high. Add the sliced onions and peppers and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until veggies are softened and lightly browned, about 15 minutes (reduce the heat if browning too quickly). Transfer the veggies to a plate.

  2. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 450ºF with an oven rack in the center. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

  3. In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high. Add the steak, cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally until steak is browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the steak to a separate plate.

  4. Lightly brush one side of each tortilla with oil, then place the tortillas on a clean work surface, oiled-side down. Spread a layer of shredded cheese over one half of each tortilla, then top with fajita veggies and steak, dividing between each. Top with the remaining cheese, as desired. Fold the tortillas into half-moons.

  5. Place the quesadillas on the prepared baking sheet. Bake on the center oven rack until the cheese is melted and sizzling, and the tortillas are lightly golden brown, about 8 minutes, flipping halfway through.

  6. Cut the quesadillas as desired and serve with a side of the creamy chipotle vinaigrette dipping sauce.

But until Chipotle tells us they can't make the quesadilla, we'll be enjoying the flavorful veggie-packed offering and thanking TikTok for making this delicious item a reality.