Beef Burrito Recipe

This hearty Beef Burrito Recipe is loaded with savory seasoned ground beef, zesty cilantro-lime rice, creamy refried beans, and melted sharp Cheddar cheese. Not only are these burritos downright delicious, but they’re also totally customizable to your taste preferences. Whether you prefer spicy or mild, cheesy or veggie-packed, you can easily adjust the ingredients to create a burrito that’s perfect for you. Plus, they’re easy to make and can be ready in just 30 minutes, making them the perfect meal for busy weeknights.

Beef Burrito Recipe

Although burritos can get a bit complicated with all of the different components that go into them, my goal with this Beef Burrito Recipe is to create something that is both as flavorful as possible and as easy as possible. While there are a few components to this recipe, I’ve simplified each one as much as possible to make the process quicker and simpler.

There is still some prep time involved in assembling and preparing these burritos, but the end result is definitely worth it. Not only do you get to enjoy a delicious meal, but you also have the convenience of having a whole stack of burritos ready to eat throughout the week or freeze and enjoy later. 

So, let’s break down each of the components of this recipe.

The Beef

For this recipe, I like to use lean ground beef. But don’t worry, with all the seasonings and sauce we add to the beef, it will still be incredibly flavorful! However, feel free to use whatever type of ground beef you prefer. You could even try using lean ground turkey as a healthier alternative. (Or, try the beef chuck roast from our Shredded Beef Enchiladas recipe)

To elevate the flavor to the next level, take the time to sear the beef in a hot skillet a bit before crumbling it up and cooking it all the way through. Searing the beef creates a nice crust that enhances the overall depth of flavor and results in a better texture of meat. 

To add lots of flavor to the beef without a long ingredient list, we rely on a couple of shortcuts: a taco seasoning packet and red enchilada sauce. Enchilada sauces can vary greatly in flavor and heat from brand to brand. Personally, I love and recommend Old El Paso® mild red enchilada sauce (not sponsored). If you aren’t able to find this specific brand, I’d recommend tasting the enchilada sauce first and making sure it isn’t too spicy and that you enjoy the flavor.

QUICK TIP

If you prefer to make your own seasoning mix or sauce for this beef burrito recipe, we’ve got you covered! Try our go-to taco seasoning recipe or our homemade enchilada sauce.

The Rice

For the rice in this beef burrito recipe, we recommend using cilantro-lime rice to add a fresh, vibrant, and zesty flavor. However, if you’re short on time, plain rice works just as well. In fact, you can even use microwaveable rice for an even quicker option. 

Here are a few tips for making cilantro-lime rice:

• Rinse the rice before cooking: This helps remove excess starch and ensures that the rice cooks evenly.
• Allow time for the rice to steam. Allow the rice to stand (covered) and steam for 5-10 minutes before using. This keeps the rice from getting mushy or sticky.
• Add the cilantro and lime juice after cooking: Stir in the chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice after the rice has finished cooking. This ensures that the flavors are fresh and vibrant.
• Let the rice cool before adding it to the burritos: This ensures that the rice doesn’t make the tortillas soggy.

Beef Burrito Toppings

There are so many delicious toppings that you can add to these burritos to take them to the next level! Here are some ideas:

• Shredded lettuce: Adds a cool and crispy texture to your burrito.
• Diced tomatoes: Brings a burst of freshness and color to your burrito. Or add a spoonful of salsa or pico de gallo on top for some freshness.
• Sliced avocado or guacamole: Creamy avocado or guacamole adds richness and flavor to your burrito.
• Sour cream: A dollop of sour cream lends a nice creaminess and richness to your burrito. Fat-free or light sour cream is also a great option.
• Jalapeños: Imparts a bit of heat and spice to your burrito.
• Lime wedges: A squeeze of fresh lime juice adds a bright and zesty flavor.
• Chopped onions: Adds a bit of crunch and a nice savory flavor.

What To Serve With This Beef Burrito Recipe

There are many tasty options to serve alongside this Beef Burrito Recipe. Here are a few ideas:

• Guacamole and chips: Use any leftover guacamole from topping the burritos and serve it with tortilla chips.
• Corn on the cob: Roasted or grilled corn on the cob with a sprinkle of chili powder and lime juice is a delicious and easy side dish. (Or try our Elote recipe!)
• Corn salad: This Roasted Corn Salad with bell peppers or this Mexican Street Corn Salad are two favorites.
• Rice: Try making a side dish of this simple Mexican Rice — it’s so easy and bakes (yes, bakes!) in one dish.
• A quick salad: This Chipotle Chicken Salad is a favorite — just leave off the chicken to make it more of a side dish.

More Delicious Mexican-Inspired Recipes:

• Tortilla Pie a quick 30-minute dinner recipe
• Chicken Tacos with a Mexican street corn-inspired topping
• French Bread Taco Pizza “pizza” made on bread instead!
• Navajo Tacos with Fry Bread
• Ground Beef Quesadillas cooked in the air fryer or in a skillet!

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Beef Burrito Recipe

5 from 3 votes

- Review this recipe

This hearty Beef Burrito Recipe is loaded with savory seasoned ground beef, zesty cilantro-lime rice, creamy refried beans, and melted sharp Cheddar cheese. Not only are these burritos downright delicious, but they're also totally customizable to your taste preferences. Whether you prefer spicy or mild, cheesy or veggie-packed, you can easily adjust the ingredients to create a burrito that's perfect for you. Plus, they're easy to make and can be ready in just 30 minutes, making them the perfect meal for busy weeknights.

SAVE TO RECIPE BOX

Print Recipe

Beef Burrito Recipe

5 from 3 votes

- Review this recipe

SAVE TO RECIPE BOX

Print Recipe

This hearty Beef Burrito Recipe is loaded with savory seasoned ground beef, zesty cilantro-lime rice, creamy refried beans, and melted sharp Cheddar cheese. Not only are these burritos downright delicious, but they're also totally customizable to your taste preferences. Whether you prefer spicy or mild, cheesy or veggie-packed, you can easily adjust the ingredients to create a burrito that's perfect for you. Plus, they're easy to make and can be ready in just 30 minutes, making them the perfect meal for busy weeknights.

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword Beef Burrito Recipe

Prep Time 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 8 burritos

Chelsea Lords

Calories 339kcal

Author Chelsea Lords

Cost $10.53

Equipment

• Cooking Spray

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ 1 large yellow onion, finely diced (1½ cups)
• ▢ 1 pound lean (93/7) ground beef
• ▢ 1 pkt. (1 oz.) taco seasoning (Note 1)
• ▢ ¾ cup mild red enchilada sauce (Note 2)
• ▢ 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed, optional
• ▢ 1 batch cilantro lime rice (or prepare 1 cup uncooked rice--Note 3)
• ▢ 8 large (10 inch) flour tortillas
• ▢ 1 can (16 oz) refried beans
• ▢ 2 packed cups sharp Cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• ▢ Favorite burrito toppings/dips: sour cream, guacamole/avocado, pico de gallo/salsa, etc.

US - Metric

USMetric

Instructions

• BEEF: Heat olive oil over high heat in a large skillet. Once the oil is hot, add the diced onion and sauté until golden, about 3 minutes. Push the onion to the edges of the pan and add the ground beef to the center of the pan. Let the beef sear (brown) before crumbling with a wooden spoon and browning most of the way through, about 3-5 minutes. Drain or remove any grease, if needed.
  
• FINISH BEEF: Reduce the heat to medium and add the taco seasoning. Stir until the beef is fully cooked through and the seasoning is fragrant, about 1-3 minutes. Add the enchilada sauce and simmer until thickened. Remove the skillet from the heat and mix in the drained and rinsed black beans, if using. Set aside to slightly cool. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• RICE: Meanwhile, prepare rice. (See Note 3 if you'd like to make our favorite cilantro-lime rice.)
• ASSEMBLE: To assemble the burritos, lay out the tortillas and set out toppings. Divide mixtures evenly among tortillas. Roll up the burritos tightly.
  
• BAKE BURRITOS: Spray the burritos all over with olive oil cooking spray. Rub the spray into all sides of the burrito. Spray a large, dark-colored sheet pan with cooking spray. Place burritos, spaced apart on sheet pan. Bake for 8 minutes. Remove, flip to the other side and bake another 5 minutes or until lightly tanned and crisped all over. Remove and let cool for about 5 minutes. (Alternatively crisp in a skillet.) Serve on plates with a fork and knife, along with your favorite toppings and dips.
  

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Homemade taco seasoning: Combine the following and use in place of the package of taco seasoning, if desired: 1 tablespoon ground chili powder, 1 teaspoon each: ground cumin, paprika and 1/2 teaspoon each: onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, fine sea salt, pepper.

Note 2: Enchilada sauce: This ingredient can vary greatly in flavor and heat from brand to brand. Personally, I love and recommend Old El Paso® mild red enchilada sauce. If you aren’t able to find this specific brand, I’d recommend tasting the enchilada sauce first and making sure it isn’t too spicy and that you enjoy the flavor. Alternatively, try our fave homemade Enchilada Sauce.

Note 3: Cilantro-lime rice: Prepare 1 cup rice according to package directions or make our favorite cilantro-lime rice: combine 1 cup long-grain white rice (or basmati rice) with 1-1/2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt in a pot. (No need to rinse rice first). Heat over medium-high until it just begins to boil. Add a lid and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 12-14 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat, pop in 1 tbsp butter, promptly return the lid, and let stand for 10 full minutes before lifting the lid. At this point, fluff rice with a fork and add in 2 tbsp lime juice and 1 tsp zest, 1/2 cup cilantro, and season again to taste.

Note 4: Storage and Re-Heating: To store freshly made burritos, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to five days. To freeze, wrap each burrito individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper, then place them in a freezer bag. Label the bag and freeze for up to three months.

• Re-heating leftovers:
  • When cooking from the fridge, place the burrito in a skillet or on a grill pan over medium-low heat until the outside is brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted on the inside. For an air fryer, unwrap the burrito, spray all sides with cooking spray, and cook at 360 degrees F for 6-10 minutes (flipping halfway through) or until crispy and browned to your desired preference. If cooking multiple burritos, be sure to space them out and note that cook time will increase.
  • When cooking from frozen in an air fryer, tightly wrap the burrito in foil and cook for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. For cooking in the microwave, set it to the defrost setting for approximately 7-9 minutes or use the defrost-by-weight setting (1 pound). Once the burrito is thawed, crisp it in a skillet if desired. For oven cooking, wrap the burrito in foil and bake for 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees F. Crisp it in a skillet after baking if desired.
    • Please note that microwaves, ovens, and air fryers can vary greatly, so it's important to watch the burritos carefully and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 339kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 1128mg | Potassium: 384mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 694IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 4mg

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.

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