Both chimichangas and burritos are popular Tex-Mex dishes that consist of a flour tortilla wrapped around a filling. However, there are some key differences between the two that set them apart. In this article, we’ll explore the origins, ingredients, preparation methods, and serving styles of chimichangas and burritos to understand what makes each one unique.
Origins
The burrito traces its origins to Mexico, where wheat flour tortillas wrapped around fillings have been eaten since at least the 19th century. The dish was popular among vaqueros (Mexican cowboys) as a convenient food to eat on the go. The name “burrito” means “little donkey” in Spanish, referring to the stuffed tortilla’s resemblance to a burro’s load. Burritos eventually made their way north and became popular in the Southwestern United States, especially California and Texas.
The chimichanga’s origins are less clear, but it seems to have been invented in Arizona in the 1940s or 1950s. According to folklore, a Mexican restaurant cook accidentally dropped a burrito into a deep fryer but then discovered the fried burrito tasted delicious. The cook exclaimed “chimichanga!” which means “thingamajig” in Spanish. Another story credits Woody Johnson, founder of Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen, with deliberately creating the chimichanga. Regardless, chimichangas were popularized in Phoenix and Tuscon before spreading to other parts of the country.
Ingredients
Burritos and chimichangas share the same basic ingredients of a wheat flour tortilla and a flavorful filling. Typical burrito fillings include:
- Refried beans
- Spanish rice
- Meat – especially ground beef, shredded chicken, carnitas (braised pork), or chorizo (Mexican sausage)
- Cheese – cheddar, jack, cotija, or queso fresco
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
Chimichangas are filled with the same ingredients. However, chimichangas tend to have more cheese in the filling compared to burritos since the cheese melts into a lovely gooey texture when the chimichanga is fried. Popular chimichanga fillings include:
- Shredded beef or chicken
- Refried beans
- Spanish rice
- Lots of melted cheese – a blend of Monterey Jack and cheddar is common
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
Preparation
Burritos and chimichangas start with a flexible flour tortilla, about 8-12 inches in diameter. The tortilla is heated to become soft and pliable.
For burritos, the filling ingredients are layered in the center of the warm tortilla first. Next, the sides of the tortilla are folded in and the bottom is folded up to envelope the fillings into a cylindrical rolled shape.
To make a chimichanga, the tortilla is filled in the same manner as a burrito. However, instead of folding it into a cylinder, the tortilla is folded into a rectangular or half-moon shape with the fillings fully enclosed inside. The seam of the chimichanga is sealed with water or egg wash to prevent the fillings from falling out.
While burritos are served fresh after rolling, chimichangas are deep fried until the exterior becomes golden brown and crispy. Chimichangas develop a delightfully crunchy shell that provides textural contrast with the soft interior fillings.
Serving Style
One of the main differences between chimichangas and burritos is how they are served:
Burritos
- Served fresh and soft right after rolling
- Can be served room temperature, warm, or cold
- Often individually wrapped in paper or foil
- Portable and easy to eat by hand
- May come with salsa, guacamole, and/or sour cream on the side for dipping
Chimichangas
- Always served hot and crispy straight from the fryer
- Typically served as a plated entree with sides
- Often topped with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and/or cheese
- Eaten with a fork and knife
This table summarizes the key differences in serving style:
| Burrito | Chimichanga |
|---|---|
| Soft and portable | Crispy and plated |
| Room temperature, warm, or cold | Always served hot |
| Eaten by hand | Eaten with fork and knife |
| Sides on the side | Toppings on top |
Taste and Texture
The different preparation methods significantly impact the taste and texture of chimichangas versus burritos:
Burritos
- Tortilla remains soft and pliable
- Fillings retain their original flavors and textures
- Overall taste depends on fillings used
Chimichangas
- Crispy, crunchy fried exterior
- Melty, gooey cheese filling
- Meat fillings tend to become softer
- Deep fried flavor infuses the tortilla shell
In terms of taste, burritos allow the flavors of the individual fillings to shine through. The soft tortilla brings everything together. Chimichangas have bolder flavors from frying – the crunchy shell, melted cheese, and fried tortilla all combine to create a distinct taste profile. The fillings themselves become less pronounced.
Nutrition
As may be expected given the different cooking methods, chimichangas and burritos also differ in their nutritional values:
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | Burrito | Chimichanga |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 300-500 | 500-800 |
| Total Fat | 10-15g | 25-40g |
| Carbohydrates | 45-60g | 45-60g |
| Protein | 15-25g | 15-25g |
As the data shows, chimichangas tend to be higher in calories and fat compared to burritos. This is a direct result of deep frying. However, carbohydrate and protein content is similar. For health-conscious diners, a burrito is generally the better option.
Global Popularity
Both burritos and chimichangas are popular Tex-Mex dishes. However, burritos have achieved greater global popularity over the years. Reasons for this include:
- Burritos are highly portable and customizable. They can be adapted to local tastes and ingredients.
- The soft, handheld style of burritos makes them convenient fast food. Chimichangas are more suited to sit-down dining.
- Burritos can be mass-produced relatively easily. Many American fast food chains include burritos on their menus.
- Burritos can be pre-made and frozen or chilled. This makes distribution and storage easy.
While chimichangas are beloved in the Southwestern U.S., burritos have become popular fare around the world. Burritos can now be found everywhere from New York City street carts to Chinese fast food chains.
Cost
On average, chimichangas tend to cost slightly more than burritos. This price difference reflects a few factors:
- More oil and time is required to deep fry chimichangas, increasing labor and ingredient costs for restaurants.
- Chimichangas are viewed as more of a specialty dish, whereas burritos are considered everyday fast food.
- Burritos can be easily mass-produced using cheap ingredients. Many burritos are assembled on an assembly line.
- Preparation methods allow burritos to use lower cost fillings like ground beef, while chimichangas work better with more expensive fillings like steak.
Of course, prices vary depending on restaurant. But in general, ordering a chimichanga platter will cost $1-3 more than a comparable burrito plate.
Variations
While the basic burrito and chimichanga recipes are well-defined, cooks have created many variations over the years. Some popular varietal dishes include:
Burrito Variations
- Breakfast burrito – Scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon or sausage, cheese, and salsa wrapped in a tortilla.
- California burrito – Carne asada (grilled steak), french fries, guacamole, pico de gallo, and cheese.
- Mission burrito – Large super-stuffed burrito packed with rice, beans, meat, guacamole, salsa, and more ingredients.
- Dessert burrito – Sweet fillings like fresh fruit, whipped cream, and chocolate or caramel sauces wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Chimichanga Variations
- Chimichurri chimichanga – Filled with chimichurri sauce braised meat.
- Dessert chimichanga – Stuffed with a sweet filling like fried cheesecake or apples coated in caramel and cinnamon.
- Seafood chimichanga – Filled with fried shrimp, crab, mahi mahi or other seafood.
- Veggie chimichanga – Meat is replaced with roasted vegetables and beans.
There are endless possibilities for customizing burritos and chimichangas depending on taste preferences and diet.
Ease of Preparation
In terms of ease of preparation:
- Burritos are simpler and quicker to make. You just need to roll up a filled tortilla.
- Chimichangas require carefully sealing the tortilla and deep frying, so they take more time and skill to prepare properly.
For home cooks, burritos make an easy weeknight meal. Chimichangas are more involved and best left to restaurants. Burritos are also much easier for mass production in factory food manufacturing.
Comparison Chart
This chart summarizes the key differences between chimichangas and burritos:
| Attribute | Chimichanga | Burrito |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Arizona, 1940s-1950s | Mexico, pre-1900s |
| Ingredients | Flour tortilla, meat, cheese, beans, rice, salsa, guacamole, sour cream | Flour tortilla, meat, cheese, beans, rice, salsa, guacamole, sour cream |
| Cooking Method | Deep fried | Grilled or steamed |
| Shape | Rectangular or half moon | Rolled cylinder |
| Serving Style | Plated entree | Handheld or wrapped |
| Texture | Crispy exterior, soft melted interior | Uniformly soft |
| Taste | Deep fried flavor | Dependent on fillings |
| Calories | 500-800 | 300-500 |
| Global Popularity | Mostly American Southwest | Popular worldwide |
| Average Cost | $1-3 more than burrito | $-$ |
| Preparation Time | More involved | Quick and easy |
Conclusion
While burritos and chimichangas share similarities, there are several key differences that distinguish the dishes:
- Chimichangas are deep fried whereas burritos are grilled or steamed.
- Burritos are rolled into cylinders while chimichangas take on a rectangular shape.
- Chimichangas have a unique crispy exterior and soft interior texture.
- Burritos showcase the flavors of their fillings, while the taste of chimichangas is dominated by the fried tortilla.
- Nutritionally, burritos are lower in fat and calories compared to chimichangas.
- Burritos are more widely available and customizable around the world.
- Chimichangas take more skill to prepare than burritos.
While both dishes satisfy as a meat- and cheese-stuffed tortilla creation, the distinctions in ingredients, cooking methods, texture, taste and serving style give chimichangas and burritos their own unique identities. Whether you prefer the handheld convenience of a burrito or the crispy decadence of a chimichanga, both dishes have rightfully earned their place in the Tex-Mex lexicon!