Beef Burrito (Print Version)

Flavorful wrap with seasoned beef, rice, beans, and melted cheese in a warm flour tortilla.

# What You Need:

→ Beef Filling

01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp chili powder
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 1/3 cup water

→ Other Fillings

13 - 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
14 - 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
15 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
16 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
17 - 1 medium tomato, diced
18 - 1/2 cup sour cream
19 - 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

→ For Assembly

20 - 4 large (10-12 inch) flour tortillas

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
02 - Add ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned completely, about 5-6 minutes.
03 - Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
04 - Add tomato paste and water, stirring to combine. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the mixture slightly thickens. Remove from heat.
05 - Heat tortillas in a dry pan or microwave until pliable and easy to fold.
06 - Lay each tortilla flat. Distribute evenly among all tortillas: rice, black beans, seasoned beef, shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomato, and a dollop of sour cream. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro if desired.
07 - Fold in both sides of each tortilla, then roll up tightly from the bottom to fully enclose the filling. Serve immediately, or toast seam-side down in a dry skillet for 2 minutes for a crispy exterior.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The beef filling comes together in one pan and tastes infinitely better than anything you will buy frozen
  • You can customize the fillings based on what everyone in your house actually likes to eat
  • These reheat beautifully for lunch the next day if you manage to have leftovers
02 -
  • Cold tortillas crack and split so warming them first is not optional
  • Do not overfill your burritos or they will burst open while you are trying to roll them
  • Letting the beef mixture cool slightly makes it easier to handle during assembly
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet for the beef if you have one, the seasoning adds another layer of flavor
  • Squeeze fresh lime juice over the finished burritos to brighten all the rich ingredients
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