Of course! Cheesy Beef Burritos are the ultimate comfort food – hearty, flavorful, and endlessly customizable. Here’s a recipe that delivers a super-savory and satisfying filling, wrapped in a warm, soft tortilla.
The Ultimate Cheesy Beef Burritos
This recipe focuses on building a deeply flavorful beef filling, so your burritos are anything but boring.
Yields: 4-6 large burritos
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
For the Beef Filling:
· 1 lb ground beef (80/20 is ideal for flavor)
· 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
· 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning OR 2 tbsp homemade seasoning*
· ½ cup beef broth or water
For the Rice (or use 2 cups pre-cooked rice):
· 1 cup long-grain white rice, cooked according to package directions (yields ~3 cups)
· 2 tablespoons lime juice
· ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
For Assembling:
· 4-6 large (10-inch) flour tortillas
· 2 cups shredded cheese (a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack is perfect)
· 1 (15 oz) can black beans or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
· 1 cup corn (canned, frozen/thawed, or roasted)
· Other optional fillings: sour cream, guacamole, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, pickled jalapeños
Instructions
- Cook the Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and onion, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess grease.
- Season the Beef: Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant. Stir in the taco seasoning and beef broth. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, until the liquid has mostly absorbed. Set aside.
- Prepare the Rice: While the beef simmers, fluff your cooked rice with a fork. Stir in the lime juice and chopped cilantro. This simple step makes a huge difference!
- Warm the Tortillas: This is the secret to a pliable, non-ripping burrito. Warm your tortillas one by one in a dry skillet over medium heat for 15-20 seconds per side, or stack them and wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30-60 seconds.
- Assemble the Burritos:
· Lay a warm tortilla flat. Spoon a portion of the cilantro-lime rice down the center, leaving a 2-inch border at the top and bottom.
· Layer on the seasoned beef, followed by beans, corn, and a generous handful of shredded cheese.
· Add wet ingredients like sour cream or guacamole in a line down the center, not spread out, to prevent a soggy burrito. - Fold the Burrito (The Technique):
· Fold the Sides: Fold the left and right sides of the tortilla over the filling.
· Fold the Bottom: Fold the bottom flap up and over the filling, tucking it in tightly.
· Roll: Continue rolling the burrito away from you, keeping it tight, until it is fully sealed. Place it seam-side down.
Crispy Skillet Finish (Highly Recommended!)
For a next-level burrito with a deliciously crispy, golden-brown exterior:
- Heat a clean skillet over medium heat with a small amount of butter or oil.
- Place the burritos seam-side down first and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden and sealed.
- Carefully flip and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes until crispy.
- Repeat for all burritos.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Blend
Mix together:
· 1 tbsp chili powder
· 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
· 1 tsp salt
· 1 tsp black pepper
· ½ tsp paprika
· ¼ tsp garlic powder
· ¼ tsp onion powder
· ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
· ¼ tsp dried oregano
Success Tips & Variations
· Don’t Overfill: This is the #1 rule of burrito-making! Overfilling makes it impossible to roll and eat neatly.
· The Glue: The melted cheese acts as “glue” to hold the burrito together. Don’t be shy with it.
· Make-Ahead: You can assemble burritos ahead of time, wrap them tightly in foil, and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for 3 months. Reheat in the oven (from frozen, 375°F for 40-50 mins) or air fryer for a crispy finish.
· Variations:
· Breakfast Burritos: Use scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, potatoes, and cheese.
· Chicken Burritos: Substitute shredded cooked chicken for the beef.
· “Wet” Burritos: Place the burritos in a baking dish, smother with enchilada sauce and more cheese, and bake at 375°F until bubbly.
Serve your cheesy beef burritos with extra salsa, sour cream, and a side of chips and guacamole for a truly fantastic meal