Description
This Beef Burrito Recipe delivers hearty and flavorful burritos filled with seasoned ground beef, black beans, refried beans, sharp Cheddar cheese, and cilantro-lime rice wrapped in warm flour tortillas. Baked to crispy perfection, these burritos are perfect for a satisfying family meal with customizable toppings like sour cream, avocado, guacamole, pico de gallo, and salsa.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef (93/7)
- 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning
- 3/4 cup mild red enchilada sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
- 1 batch cilantro-lime rice or white rice
- 8 large (10-inch) flour tortillas
- 1 (16-ounce) can refried beans
- 2 packed cups sharp Cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
Toppings
- Sour cream
- Avocado
- Guacamole
- Pico de gallo
- Salsa
Instructions
- Sear: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the finely diced yellow onion and sauté until golden, about 3 minutes. Push the onions to the edges of the pan to make space in the center.
- Cook Beef: Add the 1 pound of lean ground beef to the center of the skillet and sear until browned. Crumble the beef while cooking and cook through, about 3–5 minutes. Drain any excess grease if needed.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium, sprinkle the 1-ounce packet of taco seasoning over the beef, and stir thoroughly until fragrant and combined, about 1–3 minutes. Pour in 3/4 cup mild red enchilada sauce and simmer the mixture until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and gently fold in the drained and rinsed black beans if using. Let the mixture cool slightly. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Rice: Prepare cilantro-lime rice or your choice of white rice following your preferred method or as referenced in note 3 to ensure fresh, flavorful rice for the burritos.
- Assemble Burritos: Lay out the 8 large flour tortillas and arrange the fillings evenly: a layer of refried beans, a scoop of the beef mixture, cilantro-lime rice, and a generous sprinkle of shredded sharp Cheddar cheese. Add any desired toppings inside the burrito before rolling them up tightly.
- Bake: Lightly spray the assembled burritos with cooking spray, rubbing it evenly over their surfaces. Coat a large, dark-colored sheet pan with cooking spray and arrange the burritos spaced apart on it. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8 minutes, then flip each burrito and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the exterior is crisped. Let the burritos rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve: Serve the burritos with your choice of toppings such as sour cream, avocado, guacamole, pico de gallo, and salsa for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef with a fat content of about 7% to minimize grease.
- Taco seasoning can be store-bought or homemade; adjust spice levels to taste.
- For the cilantro-lime rice, cook white rice, then toss with fresh chopped cilantro, lime juice, and zest for a bright flavor contrast.
- If you prefer, you can crisp the burritos in a skillet instead of baking for similar results.
- Black beans are optional but add extra texture and protein.
- Letting burritos cool for 5 minutes after baking helps them hold together better and enhances flavor melding.