Low-Calorie, High-Protein Options at Zambrero (November 2025)

November 2025 update

How to use this guide (quick)

• Stats are for standard builds without sauce unless noted.

• Values vary by store and portioning, so treat numbers as practical ranges (rounded).

• If you’re cutting calories, pick bowls over burritos, choose grilled chicken or barbacoa, and add veggies/beans for fiber.

Best Low-Cal / High-Protein Picks (fast shortlist)

1. Classic Small Bowl — Grilled Chicken (no sauce)
   ≈295–305 kcal • ≈17–18 g protein • ≈30–36 g carbs • ≈8–10 g fat
   Tidy calories, solid protein, and easy to customize. Great everyday base.

2. Classic Bowl — Grilled Chicken (no sauce)
   ≈460–500 kcal • ≈28–30 g protein • ≈48–58 g carbs • ≈12–16 g fat
   Bigger than the small bowl, still controlled. Swap in extra lettuce/corn salsa for more volume.

3. Small Signature Bowl — Grilled Chicken (no sauce)
   ≈430–470 kcal • ≈22–24 g protein • ≈45–55 g carbs • ≈12–16 g fat
   The “signature” adds cheese/sour cream by default—smaller size keeps calories reasonable.

4. Signature Bowl — Grilled Chicken (no sauce)
   ≈600–630 kcal • ≈34–36 g protein • ≈60–70 g carbs • ≈30–35 g fat
   Highest protein of the common bowl builds; trim fat by asking for light cheese and no sour cream.

5. Classic Burrito — Grilled Chicken (no sauce)
   ≈740–760 kcal • ≈30–33 g protein • ≈85–95 g carbs • ≈18–22 g fat
   Choose when you want the tortilla experience—keep sauces off and add lettuce for bulk.

6. Quesadilla — Grilled Chicken (no sauce)
   ≈530–560 kcal • ≈24–26 g protein • ≈45–55 g carbs • ≈23–27 g fat
   Comfort pick; pair with a side salad or pico to keep the meal balanced.

7. Classic Small Bowl — Barbacoa Beef (no sauce)
   ≈360–390 kcal • ≈24–26 g protein • ≈30–38 g carbs • ≈12–15 g fat
   Great protein for the calories; lean feel with beef flavour.

8. Power move for lifters (bigger appetite):
   Big Signature Bowl — Grilled Chicken (no sauce)
   ≈860–900 kcal • ≈35–40 g protein • ≈70–85 g carbs • ≈40–52 g fat
   A bulking-day option. If you’re cutting, stick to the regular Signature or Classic Bowl.

📝 Why bowls beat burritos: tortillas add ~170–180 kcal before fillings. Bowls let you spend those calories on protein (meat/beans) instead of wrap.

Protein-by-Protein: What to pick

• Grilled Chicken: Lean taste, best protein-per-calorie across most builds.

• Barbacoa Beef: Slightly richer than chicken, still macro-friendly in bowls.

• Lamb / Pork / Classic Beef Mince: Tasty but trend higher in fat; keep portions modest if you’re cutting.

• Vegetarian / Pulled Mushroom / Cauliflower: Work well in bowls; hit protein targets by adding beans (and consider skipping sour cream).

Beans, Rice, and Greens (why your sides matter)

• Beans (pinto/black): ~8–9 g protein per bowl portion and key fiber; inexpensive satiety.

• Rice: White is standard; brown/black rice (when offered) trades a few calories for extra fiber—useful on cut days.

• Lettuce, tomato salsa, corn salsa, jalapeños: Big food volume for minimal calories; go heavy.

Sauce & Guac: The Real Calorie Swings

(per standard “burrito/bowl/nachos” serve; rounded)

• Basilo (herb/aioli-style): ~95–105 kcal

• Chipotle: ~95–105 kcal

• Garlic: ~85–90 kcal

• Red Chili / Secret BBQ / Trezigo (mild-to-sweet styles): ~70–130 kcal across sizes (smaller drizzle vs. full serve)

• Verde (green, lighter): ~80–90 kcal

• Truffelo (truffle-style mayo): ~110–125 kcal per full serve; richest option

• Guacamole: ~180–190 kcal per standard tub; nutrient-dense—go half-serve if cutting

👉 Cut strategy: ask for no sauce (or light), then finish with tomato + corn salsa + jalapeños + lime for a huge flavour lift and almost no calories.

Ready-to-Order Combos (copy/paste)

~300 Calories • ~18 g Protein

• Classic Small Bowl (Grilled Chicken, no sauce) + extra lettuce + tomato salsa.

~450–500 Calories • ~25–30 g Protein

• Classic Bowl (Grilled Chicken, no sauce) + corn salsa + jalapeños.

• Small Signature Bowl (Grilled Chicken, light cheese, no sour cream).

~600–650 Calories • ~35 g Protein

• Signature Bowl (Grilled Chicken, no sauce) + extra lettuce; skip sour cream.

~750–800 Calories • ~30+ g Protein (burrito day)

• Classic Burrito (Grilled Chicken, no sauce) + add lettuce/pico for volume.

Build Rules that Keep You Full (without blowing calories)

• Pick 1 “rich” item: cheese or sour cream or guac—not all three.

• Go heavy on veg & beans: fibre brings fullness; beans also add protein.

• If you want sauce: ask for light (half) or sauce on the side and dip the fork.

• Hydrate: most big-bowl sodium sits fine with an extra glass of water.

FAQ (you’ll get asked)

What’s the leanest true meal?
Classic Small Bowl—Grilled Chicken, no sauce (≈300 kcal, ~18 g protein). Add beans for more protein/fibre.

Highest protein under ~650 kcal?
Signature Bowl—Grilled Chicken, no sauce (~600–630 kcal, ~35 g protein). Go light cheese if you want to shave fat.

Can vegetarians hit protein here?
Yes—Veg/cauli/pulled-mushroom bowl + beans gets you to a respectable protein number. Consider skipping sour cream to keep calories tidy.

Is guac “bad”?
No—just calorie-dense. If you’re cutting, do half-serve guac and keep your protein high.

Last Bite: Bowls First, Sauce Smart 🥗🔥

For low-cal, high-protein Zambrero, default to bowls (no sauce) with grilled chicken or barbacoa, add beans + veg, and use light cheese or half-guac if you want richness. Save tortillas and truffle-style sauces for higher-calorie days. Share your daily calorie + protein target and I’ll turn this into a week of ready-to-order Zambrero sets you can rotate.