The Qdoba Southwest Steak Burrito is one of the most popular menu items at Qdoba Mexican Eats. This flavorful burrito is stuffed with flavorful southwest seasoned steak, black beans, cilantro-lime rice, pico de gallo, guacamole, shredded cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and tomatoes, all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla. With so many delicious ingredients, it’s no wonder why this burrito is a customer favorite. Keep reading to learn everything that goes into making this mouthwatering southwest style burrito.
Steak
The star of the Southwest Steak Burrito is the juicy, tender steak. Qdoba uses well-marinated and seasoned skirt steak for their burritos. Skirt steak is a cut of beef that comes from the diaphragm muscles of the cow. It is known for its rich beefy flavor and texture. Qdoba marinates their skirt steak in a blend of spices and seasoning to give it a signature southwest flair. The steak is then grilled to perfection, sliced into bite-sized pieces, and added into the burrito.
Southwest Seasoning
To give their steak that bold southwest taste, Qdoba uses a special blend of spices and herbs. Some of the seasonings likely included in their southwest steak seasoning are:
- Chili powder – Provides a mild heat and smoky flavor
- Cumin – Adds an earthy, nutty flavor
- Garlic powder – Gives a punch of garlicky goodness
- Onion powder – Adds sweetness and depth
- Paprika – Provides a subtle sweet and smoky taste
- Oregano – Brings a woodsy, slightly bitter flavor
- Black pepper – Gives a peppery bite
- Cayenne pepper – Brings on the heat
- Salt – Balances and enhances all the flavors
This combination of spices perfectly complements the savory steak, giving it that authentic Southwestern essence. A sprinkle of this seasoning blend is added before the steak hits the grill, infusing the meat with layers of flavor.
Black Beans
Hearty black beans are added into the burrito, providing protein, fiber, and a satisfying texture. Black beans have an earthy, slightly sweet taste that pairs nicely with the spiced steak. At Qdoba, the black beans are prepared by simmering them in a savory broth amped up with flavors like garlic, onion, cumin, and chili peppers. The broth infuses the beans with flavor while also allowing them to reach the perfect tender-yet-firm consistency. A generous scoop of these richly flavored beans is added to each Southwest Steak Burrito.
Cilantro-Lime Rice
To add a tangy, bright flavor to balance the heartiness of the steak and beans, the burrito contains a helping of cilantro-lime rice. This rice is freshly prepared in each Qdoba restaurant. Long grain white rice is cooked until light and fluffy. Then, freshly chopped cilantro and a dose of lime juice are stirred in. The lime juice gives the rice a citrusy zing, while the cilantro provides herbal aroma and flavor. The rice adds texture and soaks up the delicious juices from the burrito fillings.
Pico de Gallo
Pico de gallo is a fresh salsa made from chopped tomatoes, onions, jalapeno peppers, cilantro, and lime juice. In the Southwest Steak Burrito, it adds a cooling freshness and extra southwest flavor punch. The juicy tomato pieces provide sweetness to balance the spice, while the onions and lime juice give the salsa a tangy kick. The cilantro adds herbal notes. And the jalapeno brings a varying level of heat depending on your preferences. The pico de gallo enhances all the flavors of the burrito ingredients it accompanies by adding bright, fresh flavor.
Guacamole
Creamy, fresh guacamole is another ingredient that adds flavor diversity to the Southwest Steak Burrito. The avocados in guacamole provide a rich, smooth texture as well as a fresh green flavor. Other seasonings like lime juice, onion, garlic, cilantro, and jalapeno enhance the guacamole with zest, herbs, and a touch of heat. The cool, creamy guac perfectly complements the seasoned steak, beans, rice, and salsa in the burrito.
Shredded Cheese
Melted cheese is essential for any burrito, and Qdoba uses a shredded Mexican cheese blend. The cheese adds a gooey texture and creamy mouthfeel when melted. The cheese blend likely contains cheeses like:
- Monterey jack – Milky, buttery flavor
- Cheddar – Sharp, nutty taste
- Asadero – Smooth, soft texture
- Queso quesadilla – Stretchy, meltability
These cheeses all meld together into an ooey-gooey layer of flavor when melted on the hot burrito fillings.
Lettuce
Crisp, cool lettuce adds freshness and crunch to balance the heartier ingredients in the burrito. The lettuce helps provide texture contrast and its subtle flavor allows the bolder burrito fillings to remain the star of the show. Iceberg lettuce is likely used since it stands up well to heating and retains its crunchiness. The lettuce is shredded into small pieces that distribute throughout the burrito interior.
Sour Cream
A dollop of cool sour cream finishes off the burrito by adding a tangy creaminess. The sour cream has a rich dairy flavor that also helps tone down some of the spicier ingredients like the pico de gallo. Its smooth, luxurious texture pairs nicely with the rice, beans, and meat. Sour cream is a versatile ingredient that brings all the burrito components together.
Tomatoes
Fresh tomato pieces provide moisture and enhance the other ingredients in the burrito. The tomatoes offer additional sweetness to balance out the spice from the steak seasoning and pico de gallo. Their juiciness also helps keep the burrito from getting too dry. Diced tomatoes are scattered throughout the burrito, adding pops of freshness in every bite.
Flour Tortilla
Of course, no burrito would be complete without the flour tortilla that holds everything together. Qdoba uses large 10-inch tortillas that are warmed and lightly grilled before being filled. The wheat flour tortillas have a slightly chewy texture and light charred bits from the grill. Their mild flavor perfectly showcases the tastes of the meats, beans, salsas and other fillings wrapped inside. Qdoba tortillas are flexible enough to wrap around the hearty burrito fillings without tearing.
Nutrition Information
A Southwest Steak Burrito from Qdoba is a satisfying, flavor-packed meal. But with all those ingredients, some people may wonder about the nutrition specifics. Here is an overview of the nutrition information for a regular size Southwest Steak Burrito from Qdoba:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 790 |
| Total Fat | 25g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 60mg |
| Sodium | 1830mg |
| Carbohydrates | 101g |
| Fiber | 13g |
| Sugars | 5g |
| Protein | 39g |
As you can see, the Southwest Steak Burrito packs a powerful nutrition punch. It provides a good dose of important macros like protein, carbs, and fiber. There are 790 calories in total, with 39 grams of protein coming mainly from the steak and beans. It also supplies 13 grams of fiber from the beans, rice, and tortilla. However, it is high in overall fat and sodium, so this burrito would account for a large chunk of your recommended daily values.
Customization Options
One great thing about Qdoba burritos is that they offer tons of ways to customize your meal. If you want to change up the flavors or modify the nutrition profile of the Southwest Steak Burrito, you have options. Here are some ideas for customizations:
- Double the protein by adding grilled chicken or shredded pork
- Veggie lover? Load up on sauteed peppers, onions, mushrooms, or spinach
- Make it vegetarian by substituting black beans for the steak
- Add queso dip or nacho cheese sauce for extra cheesiness
- Amp up the spice with hot salsa or jalapenos
- Go lighter by removing sour cream and cheese
- Swap in brown rice or cauliflower rice instead of cilantro-lime rice
- Try a whole wheat tortilla for extra fiber
No matter what flavors, ingredients, or nutrition goals you have, Qdoba allows you to build a customized burrito your way. While the original Southwest Steak Burrito recipe is delicious as-is, don’t be afraid to put your own spin on it!
Prices
The price of the Southwest Steak Burrito can vary depending on your location and customizations. However, here is an overview of the typical pricing:
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular | $8.70 |
| Large | $10.25 |
| Extra-large | $12.55 |
There are often promotions and deals available through Qdoba’s app as well. Overall, considering the large portion sizes packed with high-quality ingredients, the Southwest Steak Burrito offers excellent value for the cost.
Where to Buy
You can find Qdoba locations throughout the United States as well as a few international spots. There are over 700 Qdoba restaurants across 47 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. To find a location near you, visit the Qdoba website and enter your city or zip code in the store locator tool. This will let you know the nearest Qdoba restaurants in your area and their contact information. You can also order online or through the Qdoba app for quick and easy burrito delivery or pickup.
Copycat Recipe
Want to recreate the flavors of the Southwest Steak Burrito at home? Here is a copycat recipe to help you make a similar version yourself:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb skirt or flank steak
- 2 tsp Southwest spice blend (chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne)
- 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 cups cooked cilantro lime rice
- 1 cup pico de gallo
- 1 avocado, pitted, peeled and mashed into guacamole
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 4 10-inch flour tortillas
Instructions:
- Season the steak on both sides with Southwest seasoning blend. Grill to your desired doneness, then slice into strips.
- Warm the tortillas on the grill or in the microwave until pliable.
- Lay a tortilla flat and layer half of it with rice, beans, steak, pico de gallo, guacamole, cheese, lettuce, sour cream and tomato in a line down the center.
- Fold in both sides of the tortilla then roll it up tightly into a burrito shape.
- Wrap burrito in foil and place back on grill for 3-5 minutes to melt cheese and warm through.
- Repeat assembly with remaining ingredients to make 4 burritos total.
- Slice burritos in half diagonally and serve immediately.
This recipe allows you to bring the taste of Qdoba’s signature burrito into your own kitchen. Adjust any of the ingredients or quantities to suit your personal preferences. Serve with chips and guacamole for a complete Mexican-inspired feast.
Storage
If you can’t finish your Qdoba burrito in one sitting, you probably want to know the best way to store the leftovers. Here are some tips for keeping your Southwest Steak Burrito fresh and delicious for later:
- Let the burrito cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil.
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 325°F for 15-20 minutes, removing foil during last 5 minutes.
- Microwave leftovers for 60-90 seconds, checking frequently to avoid overheating.
- You can also reheat by steaming in a steamer basket for 10 minutes.
- If burrito seems dry after reheating, add a splash of water and re-wrap to restore moisture.
- Don’t keep leftovers longer than 4 days for food safety.
- Frozen burritos will keep for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
With proper storage, you can enjoy the bold flavors of the Southwest Steak Burrito even days later. Just be mindful of thoroughly reheating to 165°F and consuming within 4 days.
Conclusion
With its savory southwest-marinated steak, black beans, cilantro-lime rice, pico de gallo, guacamole, melted cheese, and more, the Southwest Steak Burrito from Qdoba packs incredible Tex-Mex flavor into every hearty bite. This popular menu item contains high-quality ingredients layered together in a warm tortilla to create a satisfying taste and texture experience. Understanding everything that goes into making this indulgent burrito gives you insight into just how delicious it really is. So next time you’re craving an explosion of southwestern flavors, head to Qdoba and customize your own Southwest Steak Burrito.