Beef Burrito
A warm, soft flour tortilla wrapped around seasoned ground beef, refried beans, fluffy Mexican rice, and melted cheese. Every bite delivers a hearty mix of savory beef, creamy beans, and fresh toppings. It's a handheld weeknight dinner the whole family will ask for again and again.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~15 min
Soak and cook the kidney beans.
Rinse soaked kidney beans. Add to pressure cooker with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Pressure cook for 15 minutes until soft. Drain, mash lightly with a fork, and set aside.
- boil · ~15 min
Cook the Mexican rice.
Bring 1.5 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Add rinsed rice and a pinch of salt. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and keep covered.
- fry · ~10 min
Brown the ground beef.
1.Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.2.Add diced onion and cook until soft (3-4 min).3.Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (30 sec).4.Add ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned (6-7 min). - fry · ~5 min
Season the beef and simmer.
1.Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, black pepper, oregano, and salt to the beef.2.Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.3.Pour in 1/4 cup water, stir, and simmer until slightly thickened (3-4 min). - prep · ~3 min
Warm the tortillas and prep toppings.
1.Warm tortillas on a dry skillet or directly over a gas flame until pliable (20-30 sec per side).2.Shred lettuce if not pre-shredded.3.Dice fresh tomatoes. - assemble · ~2 min
Assemble the burritos.
1.Lay a warm tortilla flat on a clean surface.2.Spread 2 tbsp mashed beans in the center.3.Add 1/4 of the seasoned beef.4.Layer with cooked rice, shredded cheese, lettuce, and diced tomato.5.Add a dollop of sour cream. - assemble · ~2 min
Fold and wrap the burrito tightly.
Fold the sides in, then roll the tortilla away from you, tucking the fillings tightly. Place seam-side down. Repeat for all 4 burritos.
- serve
Serve immediately while warm.
Cut each burrito in half diagonally, if desired, and serve with extra salsa or hot sauce on the side.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Toast the tortillas directly over a gas flame for 20 seconds per side to get a slight char and prevent tearing.
- 2Drain any excess fat from the ground beef after browning to keep the burrito from getting soggy.
- 3Let the cooked rice sit covered for 5 minutes after fluffing so steam finishes the grains without overcooking.
- 4Underfill the tortilla by about 2 inches on the sides to make folding easier and prevent blowouts.
- 5Lay a sheet of parchment paper under the tortilla while assembling to help roll it tightly without sticking.
- 6For make-ahead, wrap each burrito tightly in foil and reheat in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes.
Adapt it for your goals.
High-protein
Swap the ground beef for shredded chicken breast or lean turkey mince, and add an extra scoop of black beans on top. Ideal for post-workout meals or anyone boosting protein intake.
vegetarianVegetarian
Replace the ground beef with a second can of mashed kidney beans or crumbled firm tofu seasoned with the same spice mix. A hearty, fiber-rich option for meat-free days.
low carbLow-carb
Skip the rice and use a large lettuce leaf or low-carb tortilla instead. Fill with extra beans, cheese, and sour cream to keep it satisfying without the carbs.
spicySpicy
Add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or a diced chipotle in adobo sauce to the beef while simmering. Perfect for heat lovers who want a fiery kick in every bite.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Plant Protein
Kidney beans provide plant-based protein and soluble fiber, which helps support digestive health and keeps you full longer.
Good Source of Iron
Lean ground beef supplies heme iron, which is easily absorbed by the body and essential for oxygen transport in the blood.
Contains Lycopene
Tomatoes and tomato paste are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant linked to heart and skin health. Cooking tomatoes increases lycopene's bioavailability.
Balanced Energy from Rice
Long-grain white rice offers quick-digesting carbohydrates to refuel energy stores, making this a balanced meal for active individuals.
Frequently asked questions
Warm the tortilla until pliable, spread the fillings in a compact rectangle, and fold the sides inward before rolling tightly from the bottom. Let the seam rest under the weight of the burrito for 30 seconds to seal.
