When you need a filling meal without spending hours in the kitchen, beef and bean burritos are an excellent choice. Warm flour tortillas are filled with seasoned ground beef, creamy refried beans, melted cheese, and fresh toppings, then rolled into satisfying burritos that work for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
This recipe is especially useful for busy weeknights because most of the filling can be prepared in one skillet. It’s one of those lazy dinners that tastes like you put in much more effort than you actually did.
If you’re looking for easy food recipes, flavorful Mexican food recipes, or simple lunch recipes, these burritos are a delicious option for the whole family.
Why You’ll Love These Beef and Bean Burritos
These homemade burritos are comforting, customizable, and easy to prepare.
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Uses simple ingredients
- Budget-friendly
- Great for meal prep
- Perfect for lunch or dinner
- Easy to customize
- Freezer-friendly
- Family-friendly
The combination of savory beef, seasoned beans, melted cheese, and warm tortillas creates a satisfying meal that can be customized with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup refried beans
- ½ cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
For the burritos:
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 1 cup cooked white or Mexican-style rice, optional
- ½ cup chopped tomatoes
- ½ cup shredded lettuce
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup sour cream
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
How to Make Beef and Bean Burritos
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Once the beef is browned and fully cooked, drain excess grease if necessary.
Add the diced onion and cook for another 3–4 minutes, until softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
Step 2: Season the Beef
Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
Stir everything together until the beef is evenly coated with the spices.
Cook for another minute so the spices become fragrant.
Add the salsa and stir.
The salsa adds moisture and a little acidity that balances the richness of the beef.
Step 3: Add the Beans
Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Stir in the refried beans until they’re fully combined with the seasoned beef.
Cook for approximately 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The mixture should be thick but easy to spread.
If it seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water or extra salsa.
Warm the Tortillas
Warm the flour tortillas before assembling the burritos.
You can heat them individually in a dry skillet for about 15–20 seconds per side, or microwave them covered with a damp paper towel for approximately 20–30 seconds.
Warm tortillas are softer and much easier to fold without cracking.
Assemble the Burritos
Place one warm tortilla on a clean surface.
Add approximately ½ cup of the beef and bean mixture slightly below the center.
Add a little cooked rice if using.
Sprinkle generously with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
Top with tomatoes, lettuce, red onion, or your favorite toppings.
Be careful not to overfill the tortilla, as this can make it difficult to roll.
How to Fold a Burrito
Fold the bottom edge of the tortilla over the filling.
Fold both sides toward the center.
Then tightly roll the burrito upward, keeping the filling tucked inside.
Place the burrito seam-side down.
For a crispy finish, heat a skillet over medium heat and lightly toast each burrito for 1–2 minutes per side.
This step is optional, but it creates a delicious golden exterior.
Best Toppings for Burritos
One of the best things about beef and bean burritos is how customizable they are.
Try adding:
- Guacamole
- Pico de gallo
- Salsa
- Sour cream
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Jalapeños
- Avocado
- Cilantro
- Pickled onions
- Hot sauce
- Mexican-style cheese
You can set up a topping bar when serving these for a family dinner so everyone can build their own burrito.
Easy Variations
Spicy Beef Burritos
Add diced jalapeños, chipotle peppers, or your favorite hot sauce to the beef mixture.
Breakfast Burritos
Add scrambled eggs and breakfast potatoes to turn these into hearty breakfast burritos.
Chicken and Bean Burritos
Replace the ground beef with shredded cooked chicken.
Vegetarian Burritos
Skip the beef and add extra beans, corn, peppers, and rice.
Cheesy Burritos
Add extra cheese to the filling and place the assembled burritos in a baking dish. Top with salsa and cheese, then bake until bubbling.
Tips for the Best Burritos
Don’t Overfill the Tortillas
A moderate amount of filling makes the burritos much easier to roll.
Warm the Tortillas
Cold tortillas can crack when folded.
Use Enough Seasoning
Ground beef and beans benefit from bold seasoning, so don’t be afraid to adjust the spices to your taste.
Toast the Burritos
A quick skillet toast gives the tortilla a lightly crisp exterior and helps seal the burrito.
Prepare Toppings Ahead
Chop lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro while the beef cooks to save time.
Meal Prep and Storage
These burritos are excellent for meal prep.
Prepare the beef and bean filling ahead of time and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
You can also assemble the burritos and wrap them individually in foil or parchment paper.
For freezing, leave out fresh lettuce and other watery toppings. Wrap each burrito tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw frozen burritos overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Reheat
For refrigerated burritos, microwave for approximately 1–2 minutes, turning halfway through.
For a crispier texture, reheat them in a skillet over medium heat or in an oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
Frozen burritos can be reheated in the oven after thawing. Keep them wrapped initially so the filling heats without drying out.
What to Serve With Beef and Bean Burritos
These burritos are satisfying on their own, but they pair well with simple sides.
Try serving them with:
- Mexican rice
- Black beans
- Corn salad
- Guacamole
- Tortilla chips
- Fresh salsa
- Simple green salad
- Roasted vegetables
For lunch, serve a burrito with fresh fruit or a small salad for an easy, filling meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use black beans instead of refried beans?
Yes. Black beans, pinto beans, or refried pinto beans all work well.
Can I make these burritos ahead?
Absolutely. Prepare the filling in advance and assemble the burritos when you’re ready to eat.
Can I freeze beef and bean burritos?
Yes. Wrap them individually and freeze for up to three months.
What tortillas are best?
Large flour tortillas are ideal because they’re flexible and strong enough to hold the filling.
Can I bake the burritos?
Yes. Place assembled burritos seam-side down in a baking dish, top with salsa and cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) until hot and bubbly.
Final Thoughts
These beef and bean burritos are everything you want from a simple homemade meal: hearty, flavorful, customizable, and easy to prepare. Seasoned ground beef and creamy beans create a delicious filling, while melted cheese and fresh toppings add even more flavor and texture.
Whether you’re searching for lazy dinners, quick easy food recipes, flavorful Mexican food recipes, or convenient lunch recipes, these burritos are a reliable option. Make them fresh for dinner, prepare them ahead for meal prep, or freeze a batch for those busy days when you need a satisfying meal without much cooking.
Beef and Bean Burritos
Ingredients
Method
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
- Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook for another minute until the spices become fragrant.
- Stir in the salsa and cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the refried beans.
- Stir until the beef and beans are fully combined and heated through. If the mixture is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water or extra salsa.
- Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet for about 15–20 seconds per side or microwave them under a damp paper towel for 20–30 seconds.
- Place one warm tortilla on a clean surface.
- Add about ½ cup of the beef and bean mixture slightly below the center.
- Add cooked rice if using.
- Sprinkle with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
- Add tomatoes, lettuce, red onion, and any other desired toppings.
- Fold the bottom edge over the filling, fold both sides toward the center, then tightly roll the tortilla upward.
- Place the burrito seam-side down.
- For a crispy finish, lightly toast the burrito in a skillet over medium heat for 1–2 minutes per side.
- Serve warm with sour cream, salsa, cilantro, and lime wedges.
Notes
- Use large flour tortillas because they’re easier to fold and hold the filling securely.
- Warm tortillas before assembling to prevent cracking.
- Avoid overfilling the burritos, as this makes them difficult to roll.
- Black beans or pinto beans can be substituted for refried beans.
- Adjust the chili powder and hot sauce to your preferred spice level.
- For meal prep, prepare the beef and bean filling up to 4 days ahead and refrigerate.
- Freeze assembled burritos without lettuce or other watery fresh toppings for up to 3 months.
- Refrigerated burritos can be reheated in the microwave or skillet.
- For baked burritos, place them seam-side down in a baking dish, top with salsa and cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) until hot and bubbly.
