A burrito is a popular Mexican food consisting of a wheat flour tortilla wrapped around a filling. The traditional fillings in an authentic Mexican burrito include meat, beans, cheese, and other ingredients. Let’s take a closer look at what goes into making an authentic burrito.
Meats
Meat is a key component of a classic Mexican burrito. The most common meats used are:
- Chicken – Shredded or diced chicken thigh or breast meat is a popular option.
- Steak – Thinly sliced grilled steak such as carne asada adds great flavor.
- Pork – Shredded pork carnitas or diced pork al pastor are traditional options.
- Chorizo – Spicy Mexican sausage adds a kick of flavor.
The meat is usually grilled or cooked in advance then chopped or shredded to fit inside the burrito. Using flavorful, high-quality meats is key to an authentic burrito.
Beans
Beans are almost always included in a traditional burrito. The most common types used are:
- Pinto beans – The light brown beans are the most popular choice.
- Black beans – For added color and flavor.
- Refried beans – Puréed pinto beans fried in oil.
Beans provide protein, fiber and vitamins. They are typically cooked until very soft and mashed or puréed for burrito fillings.
Rice
Rice is another staple ingredient in many burritos. The main types used include:
- White rice – Steamed white rice adds bulk and soaks up flavors.
- Cilantro lime rice – Rice spiced with cilantro and lime juice.
- Mexican red rice – Rice cooked with tomato sauce for color.
Rice balances the other hearty fillings and provides more bulk and texture.
Cheese
Melted cheese on top is a must for burritos. Common choices include:
- Monterey Jack
- Cheddar
- Queso Fresco
- Oaxaca
The cheese helps bind the ingredients together and adds creamy, gooey texture and flavor.
Vegetables
Vegetables add freshness, texture and nutrients. Popular options are:
- Lettuce – Usually shredded lettuce for crunch.
- Tomatoes – Diced tomatoes provide color and acidity.
- Onions – Minced white or red onions.
- Avocado – Sliced or mashed avocado.
- Jalapeños – Sliced or diced spicy chiles.
The vegetables are typically quick-pickled or lightly cooked to soften them up.
Salsa and Sauces
No burrito would be complete without salsa or sauce! Traditional options include:
- Red salsa
- Green salsa
- Guacamole
- Salsa verde
- Sour cream
- Chipotle salsa
The salsa adds moisture and ties all the fillings together in the burrito.
Seasonings
Burritos are flavored with traditional Mexican herbs and spices like:
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Chili powder
- Garlic
- Onion
- Salt
These spices infuse the fillings with authentic Mexican flavor.
Tortilla
Of course, the most essential ingredient is the tortilla itself! An authentic burrito uses a:
- Flour tortilla – Made from wheat flour, water and fat.
- 10-12 inches wide
- Soft and pliable
The supple and stretchy flour tortilla is essential to hold all the hearty fillings.
Fillings
There are endless possible fillings and combinations of ingredients in burritos. Some other common options include:
- Egg – Scrambled or fried egg.
- Potato – Diced potato adds bulk.
- Bacon
- Chorizo
- Shrimp
- Steak
- Carnitas
- Barbacoa
- Mushrooms
The fillings are assembled in the center of the tortilla then rolled up into a sealed cylindrical shape.
Cooking Methods
There are a two main ways an authentic burrito can be cooked:
- Steamed – The filled burrito is first rolled then steamed in a moist heat environment. This cooks the ingredients and softens the tortilla.
- Griddled – The filled burrito is lightly griddled on a hot skillet or plancha. This toasts and crisps the tortilla.
Steaming keeps the tortilla soft and flexible while griddling gives it a crispy exterior.
Serving Size
Burritos are often quite large, with most ranging from:
- 8 – 12 inches long
- 3 – 5 inches wide
They are jam-packed with fillings and typically too large to pick up and eat with your hands. Instead they are served with a knife and fork or sliced open.
Accompaniments
There are many tasty accompaniments that complement a burrito, such as:
- Chips and salsa
- Queso dip
- Mexican rice
- Refried beans
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced onions
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Jalapeños
- Limes
These give you different flavors and textures to enjoy with each bite of your burrito.
Variations
While the classic burrito has typical ingredients, there are also many regional variations found throughout Mexico including:
- Northern Mexico – Flour tortillas, meat, potatoes, beans, cheese, salsa.
- Central Mexico – Smaller blue corn tortillas with carne al pastor.
- Southern Mexico – Larger, thicker tortillas with mole sauce or chili pepper.
- Baja California – Flour tortillas, grilled meats, salsa fresca.
The burrito is very versatile and can take on many forms while staying true to its Mexican roots.
Nutrition
Burritos are packed with nutrients including:
- Protein – From beans, meat, cheese
- Fiber – Beans, rice, vegetables
- Vitamins – Onions, tomatoes, avocado
- Minerals – Meat, cheese, beans
- Complex carbs – Tortilla, rice
They provide a well-rounded meal when made with wholesome ingredients. However, burritos can also be high in calories, sodium, fat, and carbs depending on the fillings used so moderation is key.
Cost
Authentic burritos made with fresh high-quality ingredients can range in price but are typically:
- $8 – $15 from a restaurant
- $4 – $8 homemade
Gourmet versions with specialty fillings like shrimp can cost even more. Burritos offer an affordable and satisfying meal compared to many other restaurant options.
History
The burrito has an interesting origin story:
- Likely invented in northern Mexico in the early 1900s.
- Based on older dishes like tacos and quesadillas using flour tortillas.
- Became popular along the Mexico-U.S. border by the 1930s.
- Spread through the U.S. from migrant farmworkers in the 1940s.
- Popularized in America through fast food chains like Taco Bell.
While burritos have evolved over time, the classic Mexican style remains a favorite for its simple yet crave-worthy flavors.
Popularity
Burritos enjoy immense popularity both in Mexico and globally. They are beloved for being:
- Satisfying
- Flexible – with endless fillings
- Portable
- Affordable
- Customizable
- Easy to make vegetarian/vegan
Their convenience makes burritos an accessible meal any time of day. From breakfast burritos to California-style Mission burritos, their popularity continues to grow.
Where to Find Authentic Burritos
To get a truly authentic burrito experience, look for restaurants that:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients
- Make tortillas from scratch
- Offer classic fillings like carne asada, carnitas, chorizo
- Are owned/operated by Mexican nationals
- Focus on traditional recipes and cooking methods
Authentic Mexican restaurants, food trucks, and taquerias are good options. You can also make excellent burritos at home with some practice.
Tips for Making Great Burritos
Here are some tips for making restaurant-quality burritos at home:
- Cook fillings in advance to maximize flavors
- Warm tortillas before filling and rolling them
- Don’t overfill tortillas
- Spread salsa/sauce to edges before rolling
- Wrap tortilla tightly and securely
- Toast burritos on a griddle until crispy
- Let burritos rest for a few minutes after cooking
- Slice open and top with desired garnishes
With practice at constructing and cooking burritos, you can achieve amazing results right from your own kitchen.
Conclusion
An authentic Mexican burrito consists of a fresh flour tortilla stuffed with flavorful meats, beans, cheese, rice, and vegetables. Salsas and sauces bring everything together to make a satisfying and crave-worthy meal. While recipes can vary by region, a great burrito comes down to quality ingredients, proper technique, and a balance of textures and flavors. Mastering homemade burritos allows you to enjoy this Mexican staple anytime.