Zesty Beef and Cheese Burrito Recipe with a Fiery Kick

Bursting with flavor, this spicy beef and cheese burrito recipe delivers a mouthwatering punch that’ll tantalize your taste buds.

Tender strips of seasoned beef mingle with melted cheese in a warm tortilla, creating a delightful spicy beef and cheese burrito that promises pure satisfaction.

Zesty spices dance across each bite, adding depth and excitement to this classic Mexican-inspired dish.

Every ingredient is carefully selected to ensure maximum flavor and texture.

The combination of rich beef, gooey cheese, and bold seasonings makes this burrito irresistible.

Simple to prepare and incredibly delicious, this recipe transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Prepare to savor every incredible bite of this flavor-packed delight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 600 kcal

Servings: 4

Tools You’ll Need to Craft the Perfect Beef and Cheese Burrito

• Large skillet: Essential for cooking ground beef and sautéing onions.
• Spatula: Perfect for breaking up and stirring ground beef while cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add taco seasoning and spices.
• Cutting board: Useful for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Needed for precise ingredient preparation.
• Dry skillet or microwave: Helps warm and soften tortillas.
• Serving plates: For presenting and serving burritos.

How to Make the Best Beef and Cheese Burrito from Scratch

• Sizzle the Onions

Heat a skillet and slide in some olive oil. Toss chopped onions and dance them around until they turn soft and translucent.

• Brown the Beef

Tumble ground beef into the skillet and break it up into tiny pieces. Cook until the meat transforms from pink to a rich, deep brown.

• Spice It Up

Shake in your favorite spices – garlic, taco seasoning, paprika, and cumin. Pour tomato sauce and beef broth to create a saucy mixture. Let everything bubble and meld together.

• Prep the Tortillas

Warm your tortillas so they’re flexible and ready for action. Spread a layer of refried beans or rice if you’re feeling extra.

• Build Your Burrito

Place a hearty scoop of the beef mixture right in the center of each tortilla. Sprinkle cheese generously and add any bonus toppings like sour cream or salsa.

• Roll and Seal

Fold the sides in, then roll from the bottom up, creating a tight little flavor package.

• Crisp It Up

For a golden crunch, place burritos seam-side down in a hot skillet. Sear until they turn a beautiful golden brown.

• Serve and Enjoy

Plate your burritos with extra salsa, guacamole, or hot sauce on the side. Dig in while they’re hot!

Tips and Twists for Your Beef and Cheese Burrito

• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare beef mixture ahead of time and store in refrigerator for up to 3 days, making weeknight dinners super quick and easy.
• Protein Power Switch: Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter protein option that still delivers incredible flavor.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust heat by selecting mild, medium, or hot taco seasoning, or add fresh jalapeños for extra kick without overwhelming the entire dish.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas and ensure taco seasoning is certified gluten-free to make this recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Swap beef with black beans, quinoa, or roasted vegetables, maintaining the same delicious seasoning profile while creating a completely meatless version of the burrito.

Serving Up the Best Beef and Cheese Burrito with Style

• Party-Perfect Plating: Arrange burritos on a large colorful platter with vibrant salsa, fresh guacamole, and zesty hot sauce for a stunning presentation that'll impress guests.
• Fiesta Side Symphony: Complement burritos with Mexican-style street corn, cilantro-lime rice, or a crisp green salad to create a well-rounded and satisfying meal that bursts with flavor.
• Dipping Delight: Serve with an array of dipping sauces like creamy avocado ranch, spicy chipotle mayo, or classic sour cream to let everyone customize their burrito experience with exciting taste combinations.
• Weekend Meal Prep Magic: Wrap cooled burritos individually in foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making them perfect for quick lunches or easy grab-and-go dinners during busy weekdays.

Keeping Your Beef and Cheese Burrito Fresh and Tasty

• Smart Storage Strategies: Keep leftover burritos wrapped tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maintain freshness for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Quick Freezer Hack: Wrap individual burritos in freezer-safe paper, store in sealed containers or freezer bags for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Perfect Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated burritos in skillet over medium heat for crispy exterior, or microwave with damp paper towel for softer texture. Aim for internal temperature of 165°F to ensure food safety.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare beef mixture and assemble burritos in advance. Store uncooked burritos in refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

What Goes Into the Best Beef and Cheese Burrito

• Ground Beef: Rich, juicy meat that forms the hearty core of the burrito, choose lean cuts for better texture and less grease.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds deep, complex flavor enhancement to beef, providing umami richness.

• Onion: Provides sweet, aromatic base that complements beef, select fresh firm onions for best results.
• Garlic: Infuses intense savory notes, opt for fresh cloves for maximum flavor punch.
• Taco Seasoning: Delivers authentic Mexican spice blend, choose low-sodium versions for controlled salt intake.
• Paprika: Introduces warm, slightly smoky undertone, select fresh ground variety for vibrant color.
• Cumin: Brings earthy, warming spice characteristic of Mexican cuisine, whole seeds ground fresh are most potent.
• Tomato Sauce: Creates moisture and slight tanginess, look for natural, no-added-sugar options.
• Beef Broth: Adds moisture and deepens meat's natural flavor, low-sodium versions recommended.

• Tortillas: Soft, flexible wrap that holds everything together, choose fresh, pliable large tortillas.
• Refried Beans, Rice: Optional base layer adding extra texture and substance, select creamy beans or fluffy rice.
• Shredded Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating creamy richness, blend different cheeses for complex flavor.
• Sour Cream, Salsa, Guacamole: Optional toppings providing cool, fresh contrasts to warm beef, use homemade or high-quality store-bought versions.

Spicy Beef And Cheese Burrito Recipe

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4.5 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Sizzling beef and cheese burrito delights palates with authentic Mexican flavors. Hearty ingredients combine in a quick, satisfying meal that brings restaurant-quality comfort directly to home kitchens.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
• 1 oz taco seasoning (or homemade, see notes)
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
• 4 large flour tortillas (burrito-sized)
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup refried beans or black beans (optional)
• ½ cup cooked rice (optional)
• ¼ cup beef broth (or water)
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional, for depth)
• Salt & black pepper (to taste)
• ½ cup salsa or pico de gallo
• Sliced avocado or guacamole
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Jalapeno slices
• Hot sauce

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Instructions

1. Sauté Foundation: In a large skillet over medium heat, render olive oil and transform diced onions into a translucent, aromatic base within 2-3 minutes.
2. Meat Transformation: Introduce ground beef, methodically fragmenting into uniform crumbles while cooking until completely browned, ensuring no pink remains.
3. Flavor Infusion: Cascade minced garlic, taco seasoning, paprika, cumin, tomato sauce, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce into the meat mixture, stirring to integrate complex flavor profiles.
4. Sauce Development: Simmer the mixture, allowing the sauce to concentrate and thicken, creating a rich, robust consistency that intensifies the dish’s depth.
5. Tortilla Preparation: Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave to enhance pliability, preventing structural failure during assembly.
6. Burrito Construction: Layer tortillas with refried beans or rice, creating a protective foundation, then strategically distribute seasoned beef centrally, leaving margins for precise folding.
7. Cheese and Garnish: Blanket the beef with shredded cheese, then embellish with optional toppings like sour cream, salsa, or preferred condiments.
8. Rolling Technique: Execute a precise folding method – sides tucked inward, then rolled tightly from bottom upward to secure the filling completely.
9. Final Crisping: Position burritos seam-side down in a heated skillet, achieving a golden, crunchy exterior through 1-2 minutes of precise cooking per side.
10. Presentation: Serve immediately with complementary sides like additional salsa, guacamole, or hot sauce to elevate the culinary experience.

Notes

• Manage Meat Moisture: Drain excess fat after browning beef to prevent soggy burritos and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
• Control Tortilla Temperature: Warm tortillas gently to increase flexibility, preventing cracks and making rolling easier without compromising structural integrity.
• Balance Seasoning Intensity: Adjust spice levels by gradually adding taco seasoning, tasting as you go to match personal heat preferences without overwhelming the beef’s natural taste.
• Optimize Cheese Melting: Sprinkle cheese directly on hot beef mixture just before rolling to create a seamless, perfectly melted layer that binds ingredients together.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg