Beef Burrito
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This Beef Burrito is your go-to meal, stuffed with flavorful seasoned beef, rice, and customizable fillings of your choice. They’re perfect for meal prep—enjoy them fresh or freeze them for later, and they’ll taste just as delicious reheated.
Why You’ll Love These Beef Burritos
You know those nights when you want something comforting yet exciting for dinner? This Beef Burrito recipe has got you covered. Imagine biting into a warm tortilla filled with seasoned ground beef, black beans, rice and melted cheese, all topped with fresh salsa and sour cream. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a treat but is surprisingly easy to make at home.
I love how customizable these burritos are. You can add sliced avocado, sprinkle some fresh cilantro, or squeeze a bit of lime juice to brighten up the flavors. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or just yourself, this recipe is a fantastic way to bring everyone together around the table.
Before You Start
- Prepare All Ingredients Ahead of Time: Burrito assembly goes much smoother when all your ingredients are ready. Chop your onions, mince the garlic, shred the cheese, and have everything within reach.
- Warm the Tortillas: Heating the flour tortillas before filling them makes them more pliable and less likely to tear. You can warm them in a dry skillet or microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel.
- Don’t Overfill the Burritos: It might be tempting to stuff as much as possible, but overfilling makes them hard to roll and more likely to fall apart.
- Seal the Burritos Seam-Side Down: When cooking the burritos in the skillet or air fryer, place them seam-side down first. This helps seal them closed and keeps the filling inside.
- Use the Air Fryer for Crispiness: If you have an air fryer, use it to achieve a perfectly crispy exterior without excess oil.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground Beef: I like to use extra lean ground beef so I don’t have tgo drain any extra grease. You can substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
- Onion and Garlic: Chopped onion and minced garlic add sweetness, and lots of aromatic goodness to the beef filling. Fresh garlic works best here.
- Taco Seasoning: This blend of spices seasons the beef perfectly. You can use a store-bought packet or make your own.
- Black Beans: Drained and rinsed black beans add lots of good protein to our filling. Pinto beans are a good alternative.
- Cooked Rice: Incorporating cooked rice makes the burrito more filling. Brown rice is a great alternative.
- Cheddar Cheese: Shredded cheddar melts beautifully. Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend are great substitutes.
- Flour Tortillas: Use large flour tortillas or tortillas that are labeled burrito tortillas because they are perfect and large enough for wrapping. Whole wheat or gluten-free tortillas are also great options.
- Salsa or Pico de Gallo: Either salsa or pico de gallo are perfect for serving the burritos with.
- Other Toppings: Sour cream, avocado, and lime wedges.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook 1 pound of ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat, if necessary. Add 1 small finely chopped onion and 2 cloves minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent.
Stir in 1 ounce of taco seasoning (about 1 packet) and ½ cup of water. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
Stir in 15 ounces of drained and rinsed black beans and 1 cup of cooked rice, cooking until heated through. Remove the skillet from the heat.
Tip: Adding beans and rice makes the burritos more filling and adds great texture and flavor.
Warm 4 large flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable. Place a generous portion of the beef mixture in the center of each tortilla. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, then add a spoonful of salsa or pico de gallo. Fold in the sides of the tortilla over the filling, then roll it up tightly from the bottom to encase the filling completely.
Tip: Don’t overfill the burritos to make rolling easier and prevent them from falling apart. Also, roll tightly to keep all the ingredients inside when cooking or eating.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the rolled burritos seam-side down in the air fryer basket and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the tortillas are golden and crispy. If you don’t have an air fryer, heat a skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it with a small amount of oil or butter. Place the rolled burritos seam-side down in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy.
How To Serve
Here are some great ideas to serve alongside these beef burritos to give you a complete and hearty meal.
3 Ingredient Mexican Rice
Chile Con Queso
Refried Beans
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Beef Burritos ahead of time?
Absolutely! I often prepare the beef filling and assemble the burritos ahead of time. Store the filled burritos in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. When you’re ready to eat, simply cook them in the air fryer or skillet until crispy and heated through.
How do I store leftovers of Beef Burritos?
To store leftovers, let the burritos cool to room temperature first. Then, wrap each burrito tightly in foil or plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, I prefer using the air fryer or oven to maintain their crispy texture.
Can I freeze Beef Burritos?
Yes, you can freeze Beef Burritos! Wrap each burrito tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then cook in the air fryer or skillet until golden and crispy.
Can I customize the filling with other ingredients?
Definitely! I love adding extra ingredients like corn, bell peppers, or jalapeños to the beef filling. You can also switch up the beans—pinto beans are a great alternative to black beans. Feel free to get creative and make the burritos your own!
I’d Love to Hear From You
Thank you for joining me in making this delicious Beef Burrito! How did your burritos turn out? Did you add any special twists or personal touches? Share your photos, tips, and experiences in the comments below—I love seeing your mouthwatering creations and hearing your stories. Your feedback not only inspires our community but also helps me create even better recipes for you. I can’t wait to hear from you!
More Delicious Mexican Recipes
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Beef Burrito
Video
Ingredients
For the Beef Filling:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 ounce taco seasoning (1 packet or homemade seasoning)
- ½ cup water
- 15 ounces black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup cheddar (shredded, or Monterey Jack cheese)
For the Burritos:
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1 cup salsa (or pico de gallo)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 avocado (sliced)
- fresh cilantro (chopped (for garnish))
- lime wedges (for serving)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook 1 pound of ground beef over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and ½ cup of water. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the seasoning to coat the beef and the sauce to thicken.
- Stir in the black beans and cooked rice, cooking until heated through. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
- Warm the flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable.
- Place a generous portion of the beef mixture in the center of each tortilla. Sprinkle with shredded cheese, then add a spoonful of salsa or pico de gallo. Fold in the sides of the tortilla, then roll it up tightly from the bottom to encase the filling.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the rolled burritos in the air fryer basket seam-side down and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the tortillas are golden and crispy. If you don't have an air fryer, you can use a skillet. Heat a skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it with a small amount of oil or butter. Place the rolled burritos seam-side down in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy.
- Serve the burritos with a dollop of sour cream, sliced avocado, and a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro. Lime wedges on the side add a bright, tangy flavor.
Equipment
Notes
- Customize Your Fillings: Feel free to add extra ingredients like corn, bell peppers, or jalapeños to suit your taste. It’s your burrito, so make it your own!
- Warm Tortillas: Warming the tortillas before filling them makes them more pliable and easier to roll without tearing.
- Don’t Overfill: Avoid overstuffing the burritos to make sure they hold together well when cooking and eating.
- Crispy Texture: Cooking the burritos in an air fryer or skillet gives them a nice crispy exterior while keeping the inside warm and melty.
- Fresh Toppings: Adding fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice right before serving brightens up the flavors and adds a fresh finish.
- Meal Prep Friendly: These burritos are perfect for meal prepping. Make a batch on the weekend and enjoy them throughout the week by reheating as needed.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
