Beef Burritos with Rice (Printable Version)
Seasoned ground beef and rice wrapped in warm tortillas with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream for a Mexican-inspired meal.
# What You Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
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 - 1/3 cup tomato sauce
→ Rice
12 - 1 cup long grain white rice
13 - 2 cups water
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Assembly
15 - 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch)
16 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
17 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
18 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
19 - 1/2 cup sour cream
20 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
21 - 1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained (optional)
22 - 1 jalapeño, sliced (optional)
# How-To:
01 - In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
03 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 6–8 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook 1 minute until fragrant. Add tomato sauce and simmer for 3–4 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
05 - Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
06 - Lay out each tortilla. Spoon a portion of rice in the center, top with beef mixture, then add cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, cilantro, black beans, and jalapeño if desired.
07 - Fold in the sides and roll up tightly to form a burrito. Serve immediately, or toast seam-side down in a dry skillet for 1–2 minutes for a crispier exterior.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The beef filling has this perfect balance of spices that builds flavor without overwhelming heat, letting you adjust the kick to your preference with optional toppings.
- Everything comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for those nights when you want something that feels special but doesnt require you to be a kitchen hero.
02 -
- Draining excess fat after browning the beef is crucial, otherwise youll end up with soggy, greasy burritos that fall apart with the first bite.
- Warming the tortillas before filling them makes all the difference between a burrito that holds together and one that cracks and spills everywhere.
03 -
- After rolling your burrito, let it rest for about 2 minutes before cutting or serving, which gives everything inside a chance to settle and helps prevent the dreaded filling explosion.
- Toast both sides of your burrito if you have time, not just the seam, creating a more uniform exterior texture that adds a subtle crunch to every bite.