With a pillowy-soft flour tortilla wrapped around a savory filling of meat, cheese and beans, even the most simple burrito recipe is a delicious one. However, as we’ve come to learn (thanks, Chipotle), the best burrito recipe is limited only by your imagination.
From humble bean burritos to beef burritos and our favorite fiesta chicken burritos, burritos can be filled with just about anything you can dream up. They come in all sizes big and small. Better yet, burritos can be prepped and even frozen of time, making them a perfect make-ahead menu option for busy families.
With all their flavor, versatility and ease, it’s no wonder why burritos have become such a staple on family dinner tables everywhere.
Ingredients for Burritos
- Ground beef: Ground beef is a popular meat filling for burritos, though it’s certainly not the only meat you can use in your filling. Try another ground meat or even a plant-based meat substitute like tofu or tempeh.
- Taco seasoning: A burrito is only as good as its seasoning. You can use your favorite store-bought taco seasoning brand, or try your hand at making a homemade taco seasoning mix to flavor the meat.
- Refried beans: Refried beans help add moisture and bind the meat filling with melted cheese. Canned refried beans are an easy, affordable and convenient option. You can make your own home-style refried beans, too.
- Tortillas: Save the corn tortillas for tacos! For burritos, you’ll want to use your favorite brand of flour tortillas or make homemade tortillas.
- Cheese: A blend of Colby and Monterey Jack cheese is perfect for burritos. Both are mild-tasting cheeses that melt smoothly. However, you can use any blend of cheeses you enjoy. Asadero, Oaxaca, pepper jack and Chihuahua cheeses are other tasty types of cheese for burritos.
Directions
Step 1: Brown the meat
In a large cast-iron or heavy skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain to remove the excess oil, then stir in the taco seasoning. Remove the seasoned beef from the skillet, and set aside. Wipe the skillet clean.
Step 2: Warm the beans
In a small saucepan, cook the refried beans over medium-low heat until heated through, two to three minutes.
Step 3: Assemble the burritos
Spoon about 1/3 cup refried beans off-center on each tortilla. Top each with 1/4 cup seasoned beef. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Then, fold the sides and ends of the tortilla over the filling. Roll the tortilla over the filling until sealed.
Editor’s Tip: You can gently warm the tortillas before you begin assembling the burritos. This makes them pliable, so they’re less likely to rip or tear when wrapping them around the filling.
Step 4: Seal and serve
In the same skillet you used to cook the beef, brown the burritos in canola oil on all sides over medium-high heat. Transfer to a plate, and serve warm with sour cream and salsa, or the toppings of your choice.
Burrito Variations
- Add more spice to the beef: If traditional taco seasoning doesn’t bring enough heat to the table for you, try adding a pinch (or two) of chipotle chili powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika or crushed red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
- Swap out the meat: Ground beef is a solid go-to meat choice for burritos, but you could also go for copycat Chipotle chicken, pork carnitas or chorizo.
- Opt for vegetarian burritos: Choose vegetarian refried beans, and swap the ground beef out for plant-based meat or sliced portabello mushrooms and bell peppers.
- Try a different type of bean: If you don’t enjoy the taste or texture of refried beans, opt for whole beans instead. Black beans and pinto beans are both great options.
- Add bulk with grains: To add bulk for a more filling burrito, add a scoop of cooked rice. Keep it traditional with our favorite cilantro-lime rice recipe, or pack in extra nutrition with a scoop of cooked quinoa or brown rice.
- Load up on vegetables: Don’t forget to add veggies. Pack your burrito to the brim with shredded lettuce, diced or pickled onions, cilantro, diced tomato, avocado, or sweet corn.
- Make it saucy: For another layer of flavor top your burritos with pico de gallo, copycat Chipotle corn salsa or gooey queso blanco.
How to Store Burritos
Once assembled, a burrito is best enjoyed within 24 hours or the tortilla may become soggy. For the best taste, we suggest storing the ingredients in separate airtight containers and assembling the burritos on-demand for easy meal prep if you don’t plan on enjoying the assembled burrito right away.
How to Freeze Burritos
To make freezer burritos, cool the burritos to room temperature, and individually wrap them in paper towels and foil. Then, freeze in an airtight freezer container for up to three months. To enjoy, remove the foil, and place the paper towel-wrapped burrito on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high until heated through, turning once every couple of minutes. Let stand for 20 seconds before taking that first bite.
Burrito Tips
How do you fold a burrito?
Rolling a burrito tightly so it holds all of its precious fillings can take practice, so don’t be discouraged if yours isn’t as pretty as the one from your local taco shop. When you fold a burrito, it is important not to overfill your tortilla, as that would make it more difficult to roll and more prone to tearing.
For best results, assemble the filling in a long cylinder that’s a bit off-center on your tortilla. Then, carefully fold the sides over the ends of the “log” before rolling the tortilla over itself and the filling. Use your fingers and thumbs to carefully tuck and pleat the tortilla as you go, using a firm grip to help guide the burrito’s shape.
What do you serve with burritos?
While a jumbo burrito packed with meat, beans, and veggies is an all-in-one meal, a few side dishes are never a bad idea. Homemade tortilla chips with salsa make a great appetizer, and extra refried beans, a pile of fluffy Spanish rice, or a platter of Mexican street corn would all make tasty additions to any burrito feast.
How is a burrito different than an enchilada?
Burritos share many ingredients with other popular Mexican and Tex-Mex recipes like enchiladas, but they are their own unique entity. Unlike enchiladas, which are rolled, burritos are tightly wrapped with no filling peeking out at the ends. The method in which burritos are wrapped keeps the filling contained and allows them to be a portable, handheld food that does not require a fork and knife.
Additionally, while enchiladas can be made with either corn or flour tortillas, burritos are exclusively made with flour tortillas and are often grilled or steamed lightly before serving. Burritos can have an array of fillings, but at the very least, a burrito recipe typically includes a savory filling of seasoned meat, beans and cheese.
