The Highest-Protein Meals at Zambrero, Ranked
Zambrero's Nourish+ range, built on black rice and beans, makes it one of the best fast-food menus for protein. Below are the highest-protein orders, ranked using the same official data behind our Zambrero calorie calculator.
The best high-protein Zambrero order
Unlike some chains, Zambrero does not let you stack extra protein servings, so the move is to go BIG. The BIG Nourish+ Bowl with Barbacoa Beef gives about 49 g of protein for 719 calories, or the Grilled Chicken version is about 46 g for 661 calories. Both have the best protein-per-calorie of any full meal on the menu. Chasing the single biggest number? BIG Nachos with Barbacoa Beef hit about 59.5 g, but at 1,180 calories.
Highest-protein Zambrero meals (ranked)
| Meal | Protein | Calories | Protein / 100 cal |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIG Nachos with Barbacoa Beef | 59.5 g | 1,180 | 5.0 g |
| BIG Nourish+ Burrito with Barbacoa Beef | 56.5 g | 996 | 5.7 g |
| BIG Nourish+ Burrito with Grilled Chicken | 53.1 g | 938 | 5.7 g |
| BIG Nourish+ Bowl with Barbacoa Beef | 49.4 g | 719 | 6.9 g |
| BIG Nourish+ Bowl with Grilled Chicken | 46.0 g | 661 | 7.0 g |
| BIG Nourish+ Bowl with Lamb | 44.2 g | 705 | 6.3 g |
| BIG Nourish+ Bowl with Pork | 40.0 g | 659 | 6.1 g |
Most protein per calorie
The BIG Nourish+ Bowls sweep this category, at 6.1 to 7.0 g of protein per 100 calories. The black rice and bean base does a lot of the work, and skipping the tortilla keeps calories down. Grilled chicken and barbacoa beef are the leanest, highest-protein fillings.
How to build a high-protein Zambrero order
- Choose a Nourish+ Bowl. Black rice and beans add protein and fibre without a tortilla.
- Go BIG. The larger size roughly doubles the filling serve, which is where most of the protein is.
- Pick barbacoa beef or grilled chicken. The leanest fillings per calorie.
- Skip the heavy sauces. They add calories, not protein.
Want the exact numbers, including swaps and upgrades? Open the BIG Nourish+ Bowl in the calculator and tweak it, or start a fresh Zambrero order.
Comparing across chains
Eating elsewhere? See the same breakdown for Guzman y Gomez and Fishbowl.
Nutrition figures are based on Zambrero's published data (some values are derived from official per-build figures) and may change. Always check the latest in-store information.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest-protein meal at Zambrero?
By raw protein, BIG Nachos with Barbacoa Beef (about 59.5 g) and the BIG Nourish+ Burrito with Barbacoa Beef (about 56.5 g) top the menu. For the best protein per calorie, the BIG Nourish+ Bowl with Barbacoa Beef gives about 49 g of protein for 719 calories. Zambrero does not offer extra-protein add-ons, so going BIG is how you max it out.
Which Zambrero meal has the most protein per calorie?
The BIG Nourish+ Bowls. The Grilled Chicken version is about 7.0 g of protein per 100 calories (46 g protein, 661 cal), the best ratio of any full meal, helped by the black rice and bean base and no tortilla.
Is the Nourish+ bowl good for protein?
Yes, it is the standout. A BIG Nourish+ Bowl delivers 40 to 49 g of protein depending on the filling, on a black rice and bean base, for around 660 to 740 calories. It is the best high-protein option on the Zambrero menu.
How do I make a Zambrero order higher in protein?
Choose a bowl over a burrito to skip the tortilla, go for the BIG size and a lean filling such as barbacoa beef or grilled chicken, and keep the black beans. Model the exact build in the Zambrero calorie calculator to see your protein total.