These flavorful Qdoba copycat recipes taste just like what you'd find at the popular Mexican grill. We have ideas for all of your favorites, including the chain's signature grilled chicken, queso and loaded burritos.
21 Qdoba Copycat Recipes for When You Don’t Want to Wait in Line
Updated on Feb. 25, 2022
1/21
Inspired by: Queso
Total Time
20 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Years ago, my husband invented this gooey cheese dip. I may be biased, but I have to say it's excellent. If you like heat, rev it up with finely chopped jalapenos. —Patricia Leinheiser, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 103 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 164mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.
2/21
Inspired by: Drunken Yardbird Knockout Tacos
Total Time
5 hours 40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our fun, simple recipe is perfect for taco Tuesdays or a relaxing dinner with friends. If we have any leftover filling, I toss it into a garden-fresh taco salad. —Tracy Gunter, Boise, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
2 tacos: 291 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 674mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch.
3/21
Inspired by: Grilled Vegetarian Quesadilla
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Black beans partner up with spinach and corn in these easy and satisfying quesadillas from Susan Franklin of Littleton, Colorado. —Susan Franklin, Littleton, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
4 wedges: 358 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 900mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 15g protein.
4/21
Inspired by: Grilled Adobo Chicken
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This dish needs just 15 minutes of prep, so you'll be out of the kitchen in no time. The delicious low-fat chicken gets even better with a garnish of reduced-fat sour cream and fresh cilantro. —Brandi Castillo, Santa Maria, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 320 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 873mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 8g fiber), 19g protein.
5/21
Inspired by: 3-Cheese Nachos with Ground Beef
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom gave me a fundraiser cookbook, and this is the recipe I’ve used most. My whole family is on board. For toppings, think sour cream, tomatoes, jalapeno and red onion. —Judy Hughes, Waverly, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 676 calories, 31g fat (10g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 1293mg sodium, 74g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 25g protein.
6/21
Inspired by: Guacamole
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
I always judge a Tex-Mex restaurant by its guacamole. And although it's simple to prepare, it can go wrong oh, so easily. I've spent many years perfecting mine, to the point where I think it's better than most restaurants. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 90 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 78mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 4g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat.
7/21
Inspired by: Taco Salad with Ground Beef
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In spring we look for something light and refreshing on the menu after the heavier comfort food of winter; this salad is a great solution. —Muriel Bertrand, Shoreview, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
2 cups: 469 calories, 28g fat (12g saturated fat), 107mg cholesterol, 1007mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 32g protein.
8/21
Inspired by: Two Timer Knockout Tacos
Total Time
6 hours 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've made quite a few tacos in my day, but you can't beat the tender filling made in a slow cooker. These are by far the best pork tacos we've had—and we've tried plenty. Make the mango salsa from scratch if you have time! Yum. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
2 tacos: 282 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 678mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch.
9/21
Inspired by: Burrito with Grilled Steak
Total Time
8 hours 20 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Recipes that are leaner in fat and calories—like this one for beef burritos—helped me lose 30 pounds! The meat is so tender and delicious. —Shirley Davidson, Thornton, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 burrito: 262 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 376mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch.
10/21
Inspired by: Fiery Habanero Salsa
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Canned tomatoes never tasted better than they do in this restaurant-quality salsa you can have ready in 15 minutes flat. Cilantro and a splash of lime add refreshing flavor. —Missy Kampling, Mountain View, California
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 13 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 141mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges: Free food.
11/21
Chicken Quesadillas
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Leftover chicken gets Mexican flair from cumin in this fun main dish. The chicken quesadilla recipe has an impressive look and taste yet requires little preparation. —Linda Wetzel, Woodland Park, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 477 calories, 26g fat (13g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 901mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 31g protein.
12/21
Inspired by: Vegetarian Burrito
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
No one will miss the meat when you dish up these satisfying burritos bursting with a fresh-tasting filling. They’re fast to fix and won’t put a dent in your wallet. —Sharon W. Bickett, Chester, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 burrito with 1 tablespoon salsa: 326 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 500mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein.
13/21
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This chicken tortilla soup is as good as (if not better than) any I've had in a restaurant. I get so many compliments when I serve it: you will, too. —Laura Black Johnson, Largo, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 200 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 941mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.
14/21
Inspired by: Roasted Chili Corn Salsa
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Our backyard grill is the perfect place to cook up the ingredients for homemade corn salsa. It’s yummy with tortilla chips and as a topping for meat, poultry and fish. —Alicia DeWolfe, Gloucester, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 40 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 102mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch.
15/21
Inspired by: 3-Cheese Nachos with Pulled Pork
Total Time
6 hours 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I are both graduate students right now, so we don't have a lot of time to cook dinner. Our family loves coming home to this incredible nacho platter, and I love how easy it is to prepare. —Faith Stokes, Chickamauga, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup meat mixture (calculated without chips and toppings): 469 calories, 24g fat (9g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 1055mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 7g fiber), 33g protein.
16/21
Inspired by: Taco Salad with Grilled Adobo Chicken
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We use this super-duper chicken across several meals, including it in tacos, sandwiches, omelets and enchiladas. My little guys love to help measure the seasonings. —Karie Houghton, Lynnwood, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups lettuce with 3 ounces cooked chicken: 143 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 516mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable.
17/21
Inspired by: Salsa Verde
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Last year was the first time I had ever grown tomatillos. They were so abundant that I had enough to eat fresh, give away and freeze for future gatherings. What I didn't expect was how well the salsa would freeze. I do like to add an extra zip by juicing a fresh lime into the salsa after it has thawed. —Kim Banick, Salem, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 127 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 304mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein.
18/21
Inspire by: Bohemian Veg Knockout Tacos
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We eat meatless meals a few times a week, so I replaced the beef with nutty brown rice to bulk up these tacos. Sometimes I also like to swap in quinoa for the rice. —Kristin Rimkus, Snohomish, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
2 tacos: 423 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 682mg sodium, 64g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 10g fiber), 17g protein.
19/21
Pork, Bean & Rice Burritos
Total Time
6 hours 25 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The combination of spices is key to this slow-cooked pork—it's my family's favorite burrito filling. The aroma that fills the air as the pork slowly simmers is like a Mexican restaurant. A perfect recipe for tailgate parties. —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 burrito: 575 calories, 21g fat (7g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 1717mg sodium, 61g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 34g protein.
20/21
Inspired by: Pico de Gallo
Total Time
30 min
Servings
56 servings (14 cups)
From the Recipe Creator:
The variety of tomatoes, onions and peppers makes this chunky salsa so good. Whenever I try to take a batch to a get-together, it's hard to keep my family from finishing it off first! It's a super snack with tortilla chips or as a relish with meat. —Connie Siese, Wayne, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 15 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 62mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 free food.
21/21
Chicken Nachos
Total Time
35 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This chicken nachos recipe is delicious and so simple. Rotisserie (or leftover) chicken keeps it quick, and the seasonings and splash of lime juice lend fantastic flavor. My husband enjoys this snack so much that he often requests it for dinner! —Gail Cawsey, Geneseo, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 221 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 314mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
