Burritos are a popular Mexican food consisting of a flour tortilla wrapped around a filling. There are many different types of burritos found throughout Mexico, featuring a variety of fillings and preparation styles. Some of the most common burrito varieties include:
Bean Burritos
Bean burritos are made with refried or whole beans as the main filling ingredient. Pinto, black, or refried beans are commonly used. Additional ingredients may include rice, cheese, lettuce, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and onion.
Beef Burritos
Ground beef or shredded beef make up the filling for a classic beef burrito. Onion, cilantro, and Mexican spices like cumin and chili powder add flavor to the beef. Melted cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and salsa or pico de gallo are standard accompaniments.
Chicken Burritos
Shredded chicken is the star in chicken burritos. It can be seasoned with classic Mexican spice blends or green chili sauce. Rice, beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and avocado are popular additions.
Breakfast Burritos
Breakfast burritos, as the name suggests, contain breakfast ingredients like eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, ham, and cheese. Onion, peppers, salsa, and avocado are common additions. Breakfast burritos are often served with a side of fresh pico de gallo.
California Burritos
Originating in southern California, California burritos contain French fries inside the tortilla along with the meat of choice, usually carne asada. Cheese, guacamole, and pico de gallo give these burritos additional California flair.
Carne Asada Burritos
Carne asada, or grilled steak, is the highlight of a carne asada burrito. Strips or chunks of flavorful grilled steak are wrapped in a soft tortilla along with ingredients like beans, rice, cheese, guacamole, salsa, onions, and cilantro.
Fish Burritos
Fish burritos most commonly contain grilled or fried white fish like tilapia, cod, or halibut. Cabbage and pico de gallo add freshness while cheese and chipotle crema deliver creaminess and smokiness. Rice and beans often accompany the fish.
Chimichanga Burritos
Chimichangas are deep-fried burritos. They are filled with meat, beans, rice, and cheese before being fried to a crisp, golden exterior. They are then topped with condiments like guacamole, sour cream, and salsa.
Breakfast Burritos
Breakfast burritos, as the name suggests, contain breakfast ingredients like eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, ham, and cheese. Onion, peppers, salsa, and avocado are common additions. Breakfast burritos are often served with a side of fresh pico de gallo.
Traditional Burrito Fillings
While the fillings of burritos are incredibly versatile, there are some traditional ingredients that are commonly used:
- Beans – Refried or whole pinto, black, or kidney beans
- Rice – Usually white rice, sometimes flavored with tomatoes or spices
- Meat – Chicken, steak, pork, chorizo, or other Mexican-style meats
- Cheese – Oaxaca, cotija, queso fresco, cheddar, mozzarella
- Vegetables – Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers, avocado
- Salsa – Red or green salsa, pico de gallo, chimichurri
- Crema – Sour cream, Mexican crema
- Tortilla – Flour or corn
These ingredients can be mixed and matched in endless combinations to create both traditional and innovative burrito recipes.
Regional Burrito Styles
Burritos around Mexico vary based on the local culinary traditions of different regions. Here are some burrito highlights from around the country:
Northern Mexico
Burritos from northern Mexican states like Sonora, Chihuahua, and Baja California tend to be simple. Fillings center around meat like machaca (dried, shredded beef) or chicken with straightforward additions of beans, cheese, and salsa.
Central Mexico
Iconic Mexico City-style burritos are sizable and packed with a variety of ingredients. Beans, rice, and cheese form the base while meats like chorizo or steak are standard additions.
Southern Mexico
In southern states like Oaxaca and Veracruz, small street-style burritos are commonly topped with ingredients like chopped cabbage, avocado, and queso fresco. Fillings make use of regional meats like tasajo (cured beef) and locally grown black beans.
Western Mexico
Jalisco is known for birria burritos, made with seasoned, braised beef. Birria burritos are dipped in the seasoned beef broth before serving. Fillings also often include cheese, onion, and cilantro.
Yucatan Peninsula
Burritos from the Yucatan reflect local Mayan and Caribbean influences. Tropical fruits, pickled red onions, and habanero salsa add signature Yucatecan flair.
How to Assemble a Burrito
Follow these simple steps for constructing perfect burritos at home:
- Warm tortillas in the microwave or on the stovetop to make them pliable.
- Lay tortilla flat and add a layer of beans first if using.
- Add rice next if using, creating an even layer on top of the beans.
- Top with sautéed veggies like peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc if desired.
- Add meat of choice in an even layer.
- Sprinkle cheese over the top.
- Spoon salsa or other sauces over the fillings.
- Fold the sides of the tortilla over the fillings, then roll up the burrito starting at the bottom while tucking in the sides.
- Place burritos seam side down in a hot pan to toast for 1-2 minutes per side.
- Top with extra sauces, cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo etc. before serving.
Following these steps helps create a tightly packed burrito that won’t spill open. Play around with different fillings and spice levels to customize burritos to your liking.
Burrito vs. Taco vs. Enchilada
Burritos are part of a delicious family of Mexican stuffed tortilla dishes. Here’s how they compare to some close culinary cousins:
Burrito
- Filling wrapped in a wheat flour tortilla
- Typically includes beans, rice, meat, cheese, veggies
- Can be served soft or crispy
- Rolled into a cylinder shape
Taco
- Filling in a folded corn or flour tortilla
- Smaller size than a burrito
- Usually just one or two main fillings
- U-shaped when folded
Enchilada
- Corn tortilla rolled around filling
- Topped with enchilada sauce and cheese
- Often baked or fried after assembly
- Rolled into small cylinders
While preparation varies, all three foods allow for customizable fillings wrapped in tortillas! Their differences come down to details like tortilla type, shape, and cooking method.
10 Tips for Making Epic Burritos
Take your burrito game to the next level with these helpful tips:
- Use large, fresh flour tortillas that can wrap around plenty of filling.
- Warm tortillas before filling and assembly so they are soft and pliable.
- Don’t overfill! Too much filling will cause tears and rips.
- Spread an even layer of refried beans first to help hold in fillings.
- Pre-cook any vegetables to remove excess moisture that can make burritos soggy.
- Give meats bold Mexican seasonings like garlic, cumin, chili powder and oregano.
- Include different textures like crunchy lettuce, creamy guacamole, and spicy salsa.
- Change up proteins like using both beans and shredded chicken.
- Toast assembled burritos for crispy edges and melted cheese.
- Let burritos rest for 2-5 minutes after assembling so flavors meld together.
Burrito Sauces and Toppings
Sauces and toppings provide delicious finishing touches to flavorful burritos. Here are some popular options:
Salsas
- Pico de gallo – fresh tomato salsa
- Salsa verde – green tomatillo salsa
- Salsa roja – red tomato-based salsa
- Mango salsa – sweet, tropical fruit salsa
- Habanero salsa – fiery, smoky salsa
Cremas
- Sour cream
- Mexican crema – tangy, creamy condiment
- Chipotle crema – smoky and spicy
- Avocado crema – rich, buttery
Other Toppings
- Guacamole
- Shredded cheese like Oaxaca, cotija, cheddar
- Lime wedges
- Pickled vegetables like onions, carrots or jalapeños
- Cilantro
- Diced white onion
Mix and match your favorite sauces and toppings to customize the flavor profile of your burritos!
Popular Burrito Chains
Burritos have become so popular that many fast casual chains specializing in overstuffed, made-to-order burritos have popped up. Here are some of the biggest burrito chains:
- Chipotle – Features naturally raised meat options and freshly prepared salsas and guacamole
- Freebirds – Customizable burritos and nachos with options like queso and signature sauces
- Qdoba – Build your own burritos, bowls, tacos, and more with boldly flavored proteins and salsas
- Moe’s Southwest Grill – Choose from homemade salsas and southern-inspired fillings for burritos piled high with extras
- Barberitos – Fast casual chain known for farm fresh ingredients like organic tofu, grass-fed steak, and salsas prepared daily
The menus and flavor profiles may vary, but all promise fast, customizable burritos packed with all your favorite ingredients!
Freezing Leftover Burritos
Made too many burritos? Here are some tips for freezing extras:
- Let burritos cool completely before freezing so fillings can set.
- Wrap each individually in plastic wrap or foil to prevent freezer burn.
- Place wrapped burritos in a freezer bag or airtight container with parchment between layers.
- Remove as much air from bags/containers as possible before sealing.
- Label bags with contents and date.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw in refrigerator overnight before reheating.
With proper freezing techniques, leftover burritos can be enjoyed weeks later! Reheat thawed burritos in the oven or microwave until hot and the tortilla is crispy again.
Burrito Inspired Recipes
If you love burritos, try out these recipes that borrow the burrito’s signature wrap technique:
Burrito Bowls
All the burrito fillings are served bowl-style, perfect for customizing ratios and skipping the wrap. Just layer rice, beans, meat, cheese, veggies, and sauce in a bowl!
Burrito Pizza
Top a pizza crust with beans, taco meat, tomatoes, onions, salsa, cheese and more for a pizza-burrito mashup!
Burrito Stuffed Potatoes
Load up baked potatoes with typical burrito fillings like chili, cheese, avocado and cilantro for a hearty stuffed spud.
Burrito Salad
Incorporate burrito flavors into a salad by topping greens with rice, beans, chicken, salsa, cheese, etc. Crunch up tortilla chips for added texture.
Breakfast Burrito Quiche
Incorporate all your favorite breakfast burrito ingredients like sausage, potatoes, onions, peppers, cheese and eggs into a cheesy quiche.
With some creativity, the burrito method of wrapping flavorful ingredients in a tortilla can be adapted to all different kinds of dishes!
Conclusion
Burritos are a diverse and delicious staple of Mexican cuisine. From hearty fillings wrapped in warm tortillas to regional variations and specialty chains, there are limitless options when it comes to enjoying burritos. Whether you prefer simple shredded meat or loaded veggie versions, burritos are an endlessly customizable meal. With somepractice assembling and a few specialty ingredients, you can even master burrito making at home. So next time you get a craving for one of Mexico’s most famous culinary exports, dive into the wide world of burritos!
