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Flavorful Beef Burrito Recipe

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A quick and easy homemade beef burrito recipe featuring juicy, well-seasoned ground beef and fresh, crisp fillings for a satisfying handheld meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for best flavor and juiciness)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil or olive oil
  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • 1 avocado, sliced or mashed
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch size)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the fresh fillings: Wash and dry the lettuce, then shred it finely. Dice the tomato and chop the cilantro. Slice or mash the avocado (if mashing, add a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lime if available). Set aside in separate bowls for assembly.
  2. Brown the beef: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until fully browned, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving a little for flavor.
  3. Season the beef: Sprinkle in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and let spices toast with beef for 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. Warm the tortillas: Warm each tortilla in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 20 seconds per side until soft and pliable, or wrap in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes.
  5. Assemble the burritos: Lay a warm tortilla flat. Spoon a generous amount of beef mixture down the center. Add shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cilantro, and avocado. Sprinkle cheese on top, then add a dollop of sour cream. Avoid overfilling.
  6. Roll it up: Fold the sides of the tortilla inward, then roll from the bottom up, tucking in fillings. For a crispier exterior, place the rolled burrito seam-side down in the skillet for 1-2 minutes.

Notes

Brown the beef properly by not overcrowding the pan to develop rich flavor. Sauté onions and garlic first for a layered taste. Adjust chili powder to control heat. Warm tortillas before assembling to prevent tearing. For crispier burritos, press seam-side down in skillet after rolling. Burritos can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef burrito, homemade burrito, easy burrito recipe, ground beef recipe, quick dinner, Mexican food, weeknight meal