🫕 Chipotle Barbacoa Calories & Nutrition
Bold-flavored slow-cooked beef with 24g protein. But watch the sodium — 530mg per serving is the highest among Chipotle proteins.
⚠️ Sodium Alert
Barbacoa has 530mg sodium per serving — the highest of any Chipotle protein. That's 23% of your daily limit in just the meat alone. If you're sodium-conscious, consider chicken (310mg) or steak (330mg) instead. Use our Chipotle Nutrition Calculator to track your total meal sodium.
Portion Calculator
Adjust servings to see how nutrition changes. Standard serving: 4 oz
📋 Nutrition Facts Label
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
📊 Daily Value Impact
How much of your daily recommended intake (1× serving)
🏷️ Diet Compatibility
Only 2g carbs — fits strict keto
24g protein per serving — second highest
Slow-cooked beef — no flour or wheat
530mg sodium — 23% of daily limit per serving!
🔥 Calorie Burn Equivalent
Time to burn off 170 calories (approximate, based on 155 lb person)
⚖️ Side-by-Side Comparison
| Nutrient | Barbacoa | Carnitas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 170 | 210 | -40 |
| Total Fat | 7g | 12g | -5g |
| Sat. Fat | 2.5g | 7g | -4.5g |
| Sodium | 530mg | 450mg | +80mg |
| Carbs | 2g | 0g | +2g |
| Fiber | 1g | 0g | +1g |
| Sugar | 0g | 0g | — |
| Protein | 24g | 23g | +1g |
💡 Smart Alternatives
Barbacoa is flavorful but sodium-heavy. Pair it with low-sodium sides: fajita veggies (150mg), corn tortilla (0mg), and fresh salsa (305mg) to keep your total under 1,000mg.
🍽️ Meal Impact Preview
See how Barbacoa adds to popular meal combos
🌯 Build Your Complete Chipotle Meal
Use our full Chipotle Nutrition Calculator to build your entire meal, compare options, and optimize your macros.
Open Nutrition CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in Chipotle barbacoa?▼
A 4 oz serving of Chipotle barbacoa contains 170 calories, 7g total fat (2.5g saturated), 65mg cholesterol, 530mg sodium, 2g carbs, 1g fiber, and 24g protein.
What is Chipotle barbacoa?▼
Barbacoa is beef shoulder that's slow-cooked and shredded with chipotle peppers, cumin, cloves, garlic, and oregano. The long braising process gives it a tender, pulled texture and deep, smoky flavor.
Is Chipotle barbacoa keto-friendly?▼
Yes! With only 2g total carbs (1g net carbs after fiber), barbacoa fits within keto macros. Just be aware of its high sodium content (530mg) and pair with low-sodium sides.
Why does barbacoa have so much sodium?▼
The slow-cooking process with spices and stock concentrates sodium in the meat. Barbacoa has 530mg sodium vs chicken (310mg) and steak (330mg). Balance your meal by choosing fresh salsa over salty toppings.
Barbacoa vs carnitas — which is healthier?▼
Barbacoa has fewer calories (170 vs 210), less fat (7g vs 12g), and more protein (24g vs 23g). However, barbacoa has more sodium (530mg vs 450mg). For lower calories/fat, barbacoa wins. For lower sodium, carnitas is slightly better.