Beef and Bean Burritos
Cuisine: American Type: Entree

Representative image. Recipe yield may differ
Amounts
Ingredient
Amount (g)
Tortillas
6 pieces (360)
Ground Beef
1 pound (454)
Refried Beans
1 can (425)
Cheddar Cheese
1 cup (240)
Salsa
1 cup (240)
Sour Cream
1 cup (240)
Lettuce
1 cup (50)
Tomatoes
2 medium (400)
Onion
1 medium (110)
Cumin
1 teaspoon (2)
Chili Powder
1 teaspoon (2)
Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon (2)
Salt
1 teaspoon (6)
Pepper
1 teaspoon (2)
Oil
2 tablespoons (28)
Totals
90 oz
(2,561 g)
Calories
Ingredient
Calories (kcal)
Beef
250
Beans
120
Tortillas
150
Cheese
100
Sour Cream
60
Salsa
30
Lettuce
10
Tomatoes
20
Onions
10
Cilantro
5
Totals
755 kcal
Steps
1. Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add oil to the skillet and let it heat up for a minute.
3. Once the oil is hot, add diced onions and minced garlic to the skillet.
4. Sauté the onions and garlic until they become translucent and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
5. Next, add ground beef to the skillet and break it up with a spatula.
6. Cook the beef until it browns completely, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
7. Once the beef is cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet.
8. Add canned refried beans to the skillet and mix them well with the beef.
9. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices or herbs.
10. Reduce the heat to low and let the beef and bean mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
11. While the mixture is simmering, warm up tortillas in a separate skillet or in the microwave.
12. Spoon a generous amount of the beef and bean mixture onto each tortilla.
13. Top the mixture with shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes, and any other desired toppings.
14. Fold the sides of the tortilla over the filling, then roll it tightly to form a burrito shape.
15. Repeat the process for the remaining tortillas and filling.
16. If desired, you can lightly grill the burritos on a skillet or in the oven for a few minutes to make them crispy.
17. Serve the beef and bean burritos hot with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream on the side. Enjoy!
Substitutions
- Ground beef: Substitute with ground turkey or chicken, or use vegetarian meat alternatives like textured vegetable protein (TVP) or crumbled tofu. Adjust cooking time accordingly as these alternatives may cook faster than beef.
- Refried beans: Substitute with black beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans. Mash the beans slightly with a fork or potato masher to achieve a similar consistency to refried beans.
- Flour tortillas: Substitute with corn tortillas or whole wheat tortillas, or use lettuce leaves for a low-carb option. Adjust cooking time if using corn tortillas, as they may require a shorter time to warm up and soften.
- Onion: Substitute with shallots or leeks for a milder flavor, or omit if you prefer.
- Garlic: Substitute with garlic powder or granulated garlic if fresh garlic is not available. Use about 1/2 teaspoon of powder or granules for every clove of garlic.
- Cumin: Substitute with chili powder or a combination of paprika and ground coriander. Adjust quantities to taste.
- Chili powder: Substitute with cayenne pepper or a combination of paprika and ground cumin. Adjust quantities to taste.
- Tomato sauce: Substitute with tomato paste diluted with water or canned diced tomatoes. Adjust cooking time if using diced tomatoes, as they may require additional simmering to thicken.
- Cheese: Substitute with a dairy-free alternative like vegan cheese or omit if desired.
Pairings
- Mexican rice
- Guacamole
- Salsa verde
- Sour cream
- Pico de gallo
- Refried beans
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped tomatoes
- Cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Corn tortilla chips
- Mexican hot sauce
- Queso fresco
- Chopped onions
- Black olives
- Mexican street corn
- Mexican-style pickled jalapeños
- Margaritas
- Mexican beer
Upgrades
1. Improve presentation:
- Serve the beef and bean burritos on a rectangular white plate for a clean and modern look.
- Garnish the plate with a drizzle of sour cream or a dollop of guacamole in a decorative pattern.
- Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro or parsley over the burritos for a pop of color.
2. Improve the texture/flavor profile:
- Toast the tortillas lightly before filling to add a crispy texture.
- Add a layer of melted cheese on top of the filling before rolling the burritos for a gooey and indulgent experience.
- Sauté onions and bell peppers with the beef for added sweetness and crunch.
3. Elevate with luxurious/premium ingredients:
- Use prime cuts of beef such as ribeye or filet mignon for a more tender and flavorful filling.
- Incorporate exotic spices like smoked paprika or chipotle powder to add depth and complexity to the taste.
- Enhance the burrito with premium ingredients like truffle oil, shaved black truffles, or foie gras for a truly decadent twist.
Diet Restrictions
- Use lean cuts of beef or substitute with ground turkey or chicken to reduce saturated fat content.
- Opt for whole wheat tortillas instead of refined flour tortillas for added fiber.
- Increase the proportion of beans to beef for a higher fiber and plant-based protein content.
- Replace regular cheese with reduced-fat or low-fat cheese options to reduce saturated fat and calorie intake.
- Add a variety of colorful vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes to increase the nutrient density.
- Consider using low-sodium canned beans or cook dried beans without added salt to reduce sodium content.
- Limit or omit the use of high-sodium condiments like regular soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce; opt for reduced-sodium versions instead.
- Serve with a side of fresh salsa or avocado instead of sour cream or high-fat dressings to reduce saturated fat and calorie intake.
- For individuals with gluten intolerance, choose gluten-free tortillas or lettuce wraps as an alternative.
- Adjust the portion size to meet individual calorie needs and goals.
Healthy Choices
- Use lean cuts of beef or substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
- Increase the amount of beans and decrease the amount of meat to boost fiber and reduce saturated fat.
- Opt for whole wheat tortillas instead of white flour tortillas for added fiber.
- Add more vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, and spinach for added nutrients and flavor.
- Use low-fat cheese or reduce the amount of cheese to reduce saturated fat and calories.
- Swap sour cream with Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative.
- Avoid using excessive oil when cooking the beef and vegetables.
- Season with herbs and spices instead of salt to reduce sodium intake.
- Serve with a side of salsa or pico de gallo instead of high-calorie sauces.
- Consider baking or grilling the burritos instead of frying to reduce added fat.
Shortcuts
1. Use canned beans instead of dried beans to save time on soaking and cooking.
2. Opt for ground beef instead of steak to reduce cooking time and cost.
3. Prepare a large batch of beef filling and freeze it in portions for future use.
4. Replace fresh tomatoes with canned diced tomatoes to save time on chopping.
5. Utilize store-bought tortillas instead of making them from scratch.
6. Substitute expensive toppings like avocado with budget-friendly options such as sour cream or shredded cheese.
7. Prepare a simple salsa by combining canned diced tomatoes, onions, and spices instead of buying pre-made salsa.
8. Use a pressure cooker or slow cooker to tenderize the beef faster and with minimal effort.
9. Incorporate frozen corn instead of fresh corn for convenience and cost-effectiveness.
10. Prepare the burritos assembly-line style to streamline the process and save time.