Are you craving some Tex-Mex goodness but worried about how it fits into your diet? I totally get it! As someone who’s constantly balancing my love for flavorful food with trying to stay somewhat healthy, I’ve been there. Today, we’re diving deep into one of Moe’s Southwest Grill’s most popular menu items – the Earmuffs Burrito Bowl with chicken and black beans.
I recently visited Moe’s and couldn’t resist ordering this dish, so I thought I’d share everything I discovered about its nutritional profile to help you make informed choices next time you’re there!
What Exactly Is an Earmuffs Burrito Bowl?
Before we jump into the calories, let’s break down what makes up this mouthwatering creation. The Earmuffs Burrito Bowl at Moe’s Southwest Grill typically includes
- Cilantro lime rice (or seasoned rice)
- Grilled chicken
- Black beans
- Shredded cheese
- Guacamole
- Pico de gallo
It’s essentially a burrito without the tortilla wrap, served in a convenient bowl format that lets all those delicious flavors mingle together.
Calorie Count: The Big Question
According to the most recent nutritional information the Earmuffs Burrito Bowl with chicken and black beans contains between 640-684 calories per bowl serving.
Why the range? Well, there can be slight variations in portion sizes and exact ingredients used at different Moe’s locations. Also, if you customize your bowl with additional toppings or sauces, the calorie count will change.
Let’s look at how these calories break down:
Macro Breakdown
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | 22-24g | 34-37% |
| Saturated Fat | 6-8g | 30-40% |
| Trans Fat | 0-0.5g | – |
| Cholesterol | 100mg | 33% |
| Sodium | 1450-2210mg | 60-96% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 73-74g | 24-25% |
| Dietary Fiber | 12-16g | 48-64% |
| Sugars | 0-5g | – |
| Protein | 39-45g | – |
*Based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet
The Good Stuff: Nutritional Benefits
Now don’t get freaked out by the calories! This bowl actually has some pretty impressive nutritional perks:
1. Serious Protein Power
With 39-45 grams of protein, this bowl delivers almost a full day’s worth for many people! The chicken in the bowl provides high-quality complete protein that helps build and repair muscle tissue.
2. Fiber Champion
Thanks to those black beans, you’re getting 12-16 grams of dietary fiber, which is about half your daily needs. Fiber helps keep you feeling full longer, supports healthy digestion, and can help maintain steady blood sugar levels.
3. Essential Nutrients
The bowl provides significant amounts of:
- Iron (31% of daily value)
- Calcium (17% of daily value)
- Various vitamins and minerals from the vegetables and beans
The Not-So-Great: Nutritional Concerns
Let’s keep it real – there are some nutritional downsides to be aware of:
1. Sodium Alert
The sodium content (1450-2210mg) is quite high, representing 60-96% of your recommended daily intake. This is typical of restaurant food but something to keep in mind if you’re watching your sodium intake.
2. Calorie Dense
At 640-684 calories, this is definitely not a light meal. However, it could easily fit into most adult calorie needs when balanced with lighter meals throughout the day.
3. Fat Content
With 22-24 grams of fat (6-8g saturated), the bowl contains a moderate amount of fat. Some comes from healthy sources like guacamole, but the cheese contributes saturated fat.
How Long Would It Take to Burn Off?
Curious about how much exercise it would take to burn off this meal? Based on a 35-year-old, 144-pound female:
- Swimming: 57 minutes
- Jogging: 79 minutes
- Cycling: 105 minutes
- Walking: 190 minutes
Customization Options to Reduce Calories
One of the best things about Moe’s is the ability to customize! Here are some tweaks I’ve tried to make the Earmuffs Burrito Bowl lighter:
- Go light on the rice – Ask for half the normal portion to save about 150-170 calories
- Skip the cheese – This can save around 120 calories
- Keep the guacamole – Yes, it adds calories (about 50), but it’s heart-healthy fat!
- Add extra veggies – Grilled peppers, onions, and mushrooms add volume and nutrients for minimal calories
- Choose salsa over sour cream – Pico de gallo or corn pico adds flavor for just 16-39 calories
How Does It Compare to Other Moe’s Menu Items?
To put things in perspective, here’s how the Earmuffs Burrito Bowl compares to other popular Moe’s menu items:
- Standard Burrito with flour tortilla: 310 additional calories just from the tortilla!
- Nachos: The chips alone add 693 calories before any toppings
- Quesadilla: The tortilla and double cheese can push this over 800 calories
- Taco: A single taco has fewer calories (around 200-300) but less protein and fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Earmuffs Burrito Bowl gluten-free?
Yes! Since there’s no tortilla and the core ingredients are naturally gluten-free, this is a good option for those avoiding gluten.
Is this bowl spicy?
The basic bowl is moderately spicy, but you can adjust the heat level by choosing milder salsas or skipping jalapeños.
Can I get this bowl for delivery?
Yep! Moe’s offers delivery through their website, app, and third-party delivery services.
How fresh are the ingredients?
Moe’s prides itself on using fresh ingredients – they don’t even have freezers in their restaurants!
What sides pair well with this bowl?
Chips and salsa are the classic choice, but a side salad would be a lighter option if you’re watching calories.
My Personal Take
When I’m trying to eat healthier but still want something satisfying, the Earmuffs Burrito Bowl is one of my go-to choices. I usually ask for extra veggies, light rice, and keep the guacamole because life’s too short to skip guac!
Is it perfectly aligned with a super strict diet? Probably not. But for a restaurant meal that’s filling, delicious, and offers some legitimate nutritional benefits, it’s a solid option.
The protein keeps me full for hours, and I love that I can customize it based on how hungry I am or what my nutritional goals are that day. Some days I go all out, other days I make some swaps to lighten it up.
Bottom Line
The Moe’s Southwest Grill Earmuffs Burrito Bowl with chicken and black beans clocks in at 640-684 calories with an impressive 39-45g of protein and 12-16g of fiber. It’s higher in sodium than ideal but offers significant nutritional benefits that make it a reasonable choice for a restaurant meal.
Whether this fits your personal nutrition goals depends on your individual needs, but now you have all the info to make that decision for yourself!
What’s your favorite way to customize a burrito bowl? Have you tried the Earmuffs bowl at Moe’s? I’d love to hear your thoughts and customization ideas in the comments!
Note: Nutritional information is based on data available as of September 2025 and may vary slightly by location or with menu changes.
Moe’s Menu Nutrition Facts
Since you assemble your own meal at Moe’s, there are no set nutrition facts for every item. Instead, we can break down the entire menu into sections to see just how many calories are in each item.
First up, we have our bases. This includes all of the tortilla options, as well as salad.
If you’re ordering a burrito bowl, you will likely use rice as your base, which is included in the next graphic along with the rest of the fillings.
The highest calorie options here are the tortilla chips for nachos, as well as the crispy tortilla salad bowl.
While the taco tortillas are the lowest in calories, be mindful of your portion size. While 50 calories are certainly not a lot, 3 tacos is a common serving size, so the calories from the tortilla + fillings can add up.
Next up, let’s dive into the fillings & toppings. I mean, you don’t just want to eat plain tortillas…
If you go with a burrito bowl, you’ll double the serving size of either rice or quinoa. For example, a burrito bowl with white rice will have a base of 300 calories, followed by whichever toppings you choose.
Personally, I always choose double meat to maximize my protein intake. If you choose to do the same, you simply have to multiply all the nutrition facts for meat/protein by two.
Note that I chose to leave basic veggies off of this list, such as grilled onion and grilled mushrooms, because the calories added by them are negligible.
And last but certainly not least, we have to take into account the sides.
Chips & queso is the obvious culprit to keep in mind if you are watching your calories. With a side of chips being nearly 400 calories and a cup of queso nearly 600 calories, that’s an extra 1,000 calories in your side alone.
Now, don’t hear what I’m not saying. I absolutely love chips and queso, and I’d never tell you to not eat that.
However, if you are watching your calories, just be mindful. If you don’t absolutely need queso, even the guacamole will save you a decent amount of calories. But, salsa is always tried and true, and even a large portion will contain very few calories.
5 Healthy Eating Tips at Moe’s
Moe’s Southwest Grill via Facebook
Since you can assemble your meal however you’d like to at Moe’s, it’s very easy to create the ideal healthy meal for your preferences.
Since we all define “healthy” differently, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, but here are some tips you can use to make your meal a bit healthier overall.
- Go for Grilled: Opt for grilled proteins like chicken or steak. They are lower in calories and fat compared to other options like pork carnitas.
- Choose Whole Grains: If you’re going for a burrito, choose the whole grain tortilla. It’s similar in calories to the regular tortilla, but it offers more fiber and is a more nutritious choice.
- Pile on the Veggies: Most veggies at Moe’s have negligible calories. They can add volume to your meal, making you feel fuller without adding many calories.
- Watch Your Sides: Sides like queso and guacamole can add lots of extra calories. Use them sparingly or skip them if you’re watching your calorie intake.
- Mind Your Portions: A double portion of meat might sound great, and it is an easy way to double your protein, but it will also double the calories. Be mindful of your portion sizes when ordering if calories are a concern.