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There’s just something about a warm burrito stuffed with ground beef that hits the spot! And these ground beef burritos are one of my go-to burrito recipes – I use seasoned beef, rice, beans, and cheese to keep it simple!
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What I really love about these beef burritos is how easy they are to make your own. I’ll sometimes add a little extra cheese, toss in some chopped jalapeños, or pile on my homemade guacamole and fresh salsa.
Recipe At a Glance
Cuisine Inspiration: Mexican
Primary Cooking Method: Stovetop
Key Flavor: Savory with warm spices cumin and chili powder
Skill Level: Easy
Why This Is So Good
- Fast and perfect for weeknights: These burritos come together in just 30 minutes. I’ll call that a win on any weeknight!
- Customizable: You can add or subtract so much in this recipe. Have a kiddo that doesn’t like beans? Don’t use them. A family member who’s vegetarian? Leave out the beef for a bean and cheese burrito.
- Crowd-pleasing: Because these burritos are so adaptable, they can pretty much serve any crowd!
Ingredients to Make Ground Beef Burritos
- Olive oil: You’ll need this to brown the beef. You can use any oil (like olive or avocado) instead.
- Ground beef: Use any fat percentage you like. Or you could substitute ground chicken or turkey.
- Onion: I like to use white or yellow onion and finely chop the onion so it’s evenly distributed in the beef mixture.
- Tomato paste: This adds tomato flavor without you having to do any more chopping!
- Chile powder, Mexican oregano, garlic powder, and cumin: This spice blend is going to add so much flavor to the beef. I like Mexican oregano because it tastes brighter, but you can swap it for regular oregano.
- Flour tortillas: I recommend looking for burrito-size tortillas that are larger and easier to fold.
- Mexican cheese blend: This usually includes Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses! Shredded cheddar, pepper jack, or mozzarella would all work. You could also substitute crumbled feta or cotija cheese.
- Rice: You can use any kind of cooked rice you’d like!
- Black beans: Drain and rinse the black beans first to get rid of the canned liquid, which can have a metallic taste and lots of sodium!
Popular Additions
- Sautéed Bell Peppers and Onions: Add some extra flavor and texture with a mix of sautéed bell peppers and onions. They bring a nice sweetness that complements the seasoned beef.
- Jalapeños or Hot Sauce: For a kick of heat, add some sliced fresh or pickled jalapeños or a dash of your favorite hot sauce. Perfect if you love a bit of spice in every bite!
- Guacamole or Avocado Slices: Creamy avocado or a some guacamole adds a rich, fresh element that balances the spices in the burrito.
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: A spoonful of sour cream or Greek yogurt brings a tangy creaminess that pairs well with the smoky flavors of the beef and spices.
- Fresh Cilantro or Green Onions: Chopped cilantro or cut green onions add a fresh, herbaceous flavor.
- Corn: Adding a handful of corn kernels adds a little sweetness and a bit of crunch to the burritos.
How to Make Beef Burritos
These ground beef burritos have just six simple steps. Honestly, they couldn’t be easier!
Tips for Making the Best Ground Beef Burritos
- Warm the tortillas before stuffing and rolling. I recommend stacking them on a large piece of parchment paper and then warm them in a 350°F oven for 3-5 minutes. This makes the tortillas softer, more pliable, and easier to roll and fold.
- Don’t overstuff the burritos. Easier said than done, I know. But you want to be aware of how many ingredients you’re adding so that you can wrap the burrito…and keep it wrapped! Try to also keep the ingredients together in the center of the burrito.
- Don’t substitute corn tortillas. These will fall apart before you’re even finished rolling the burritos. I highly recommend burrito-sized flour tortillas, which will give you plenty of space for the fillings and allow you to easily roll it!
- Don’t skip browning the outside of the tortilla. Not only does this add flavor, but it helps the cheese melt and the tortilla stick together, which makes it easier to eat!
What to Serve With Ground Beef Burritos
Frequently Asked Questions
You should store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container. They will last about 3-4 days. You can reheat them in the microwave for a few minutes or until warmed through.
You can freeze the taco meat on its own for up to 3 months. You can also wrap the burrito in aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To re-heat, thaw in the fridge overnight and toast in a 350°F oven until heated through.
If the filling seems too wet, let it cook down a bit longer in the skillet to allow any excess liquid to evaporate. You can also drain off any extra liquid before assembling to keep your burrito from becoming soggy.
For More Tex Mex Recipes:
- Zucchini Enchiladas
- Plant Based Tempeh Tacos
- Taco Salad Meal Prep
- Salsa Black Bean Burger
- Shrimp Fajita Bowls
- Mexican Street Tacos
- Baked Chicken Tacos
- Grilled Fish Tacos
If you try this feel good Ground Beef Burritos recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
This recipe was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2024. It is being updated with new images, step-by-step tutorial on how to make ground beef burritos, and a slightly modified recipe for a more traditional burrito. If you loved the original recipe, you can find it in the notes section of the recipe card.
Ground Beef Burritos
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
For assembly
- Cooking spray
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 ½ cups cooked rice
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans rinsed and drained
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil, then add ground beef and onion, season with salt and pepper and cook and crumble until completely browned.
- Add the water, tomato paste, chili powder, oregano, garlic powder, and cumin. Stir to combine and continue cooking over medium-low heat until the sauce has thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Lay one tortilla on a flat surface. Layer with ¼ cup of cheese, ¼ cup of rice, ½ cup of the ground beef mixture and ¼ cup of black beans.
- Starting at that end, roll the tortilla up, folding in the sides. Set aside.
- Wipe down the skillet used to cook the taco stuffing and spray with cooking spray. Place the burrito on the skillet with the seam side down. Gently turn the burrito to the other side after 2 minutes and continue to turn until it is golden and crispy on all sides.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas. Serve warm with guacamole, salsa and sour cream, if desired.
Equipment
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the spices to your preferences.
- Feel free to adjust the toppings for the burrito to your preferences.
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
Salt and pepper to taste
½ cup prepared salsa
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cumin
Burritos Assembly
Cooking spray
6 flour tortillas
Shredded Mexican cheese blend
Brown rice
Cabbage
Diced tomatoes
Red onions
Instructions
Taco stuffing
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil, then add ground beef, season with salt and pepper and cook and crumble until completely browned. Drain any grease.
Add salsa, chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin and stir to combine until fragrant. Transfer the taco stuffing to a dish.
Burritos Assembly
Lay one tortilla on a flat surface, then layer with cheese, then brown rice, taco stuffing, cabbage, tomatoes and red onions. Add on more layer of shredded cheese on top.
Starting at that end, roll the tortilla up, folding in the sides.
Use the same large skillet used to cook the taco stuffing and spray with cooking spray. Place the burrito on the skillet with the seam side down. Gently turn the burrito to the other side after 2 minutes and continue to turn until it is golden and crispy on all sides.
Repeat with the remaining tortillas. Serve warm with guacamole, salsa and sour cream, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Can’t wait to try these for grandkids!
I hope they love them!
Great flavor & so easy for a quick meal!
These beef taco burritos look so yummy!