A handful of foods across the world have enthralled the American public in the last century. Items such as pizza, ice cream, fries, and burritos have presented Americans with the things they love most: choice.
Chefs in competition shows from all backgrounds and skill grades have shown us their mastery of these dishes. Depending on the show, you may have seen anything and everything added to these dishes.
There is something to eating a food that starts out exotic and becomes homespun. For those looking for less mundane burrito recipes, look no further.
We have a string of tastes to offer up to you. They come from all over the map with influences both foreign and domestic. The secret to a great burrito recipe pretty much comes down to making something tasty and then wrapping it up.
Off the Map Burrito Recipes
Traditional ingredients of a burrito can include beans, rice, and chilis. Some locations in Mexico, the birthplace of the undeniably desirable food item, included avocados or meats.
A burrito can be served dry, with just a tortilla (originally corn but now traditionally wheat flour). They can also be served wet, covered in sauce and expected to be eaten with utensils. Finally, they can be fried in oil or even baked to give a crispy exterior while still holding all the delectable insides away from prying eyes.
No matter your individual preference for what a burrito should be, we're going to tell you all sorts of new ways a burrito can be.
These recipes are presented with most common ingredients and what to e3xpect from the flavors. You can make it your own or find specific detailed recipes. We have some of those options in our blog.
1. Chorizo and Egg Burrito
Burritos can be for any meal, even dessert. That said, the most common secondary adjective to burrito is breakfast. Chorizo, of course, is an ingredient with a long history of its own.
What You'll Love
You got eggs, you got some beans, you got some flavor-rich meat. That is breakfast all over. For those not doing weight training and running for endurance, the blast of protein may seem a bit much.
Slamming down one of these little delights first thin in the day will get you going fast. Best of all, the ingredients survive rapid heating and can be fridged and rebuilt fast enough to take to the morning commute.
What You'll Need
Chorizo
Pepper Jack, shredded
Black beans
salsa
eggs
butter
2. White Bean Avocado Burrito
A vegan entry for those daring to taste the rich bounty of the earth with no frills. The flavor profile doesn't quit but finds news avenues to take you down with each bite.
What You'll Love
You get your zesty, you get your hearty, and you get your creamy all in one bite. The corn and mushrooms add enough bite to not feel like you are eating nothing.
The sauce combinations bring flavor all around. You will be surprised at how quickly you start tasting and how many faces you can go through in a moment. It isn't an overstatement to describe watching someone take on these savory pockets in tones of elation.
What You'll Need
Rice
white beans
avocados, chopped
vegetable bouillon
garlic cloves, diced
mushrooms, chopped
jalapenos
red, yellow, and green peppers
corn
cilantro, chopped
tomato sauce
salt, pepper, cumin, sugar, garlic powder
3. Black Bean and Crispy Rice Burrito
Looking for a mix of Southeast Asia in your Southwestern cuisine? This burrito fusion recipe gives you more than you might know you ever needed.
What You'll Love
Color isn't often thought of as an important component of a burrito. The wrapping conceals this element, after all. This burrito challenges that notion.
The vibrant combination of colors, carefully revealed with a center cut burrito, awaken the appetite.
The flavor profile has a healthy middle with some sweet highlights and a kick of spice. The texture of the crispy rice gives an interesting change-up that will have you experiencing the food and not simply consuming it.
What You'll Need
black beans
rice
mozzarella or Mexican queso blend, shredded
corn
butter
cilantro, chopped
onion, chopped
bell pepper, chopped
lime
salt, pepper, cumin
4. Garlic Mushroom Burrito with Sriracha Rice
You may be saying, "I see some interesting burritos, but where is the adventure?" How about we kick it all the way up and see if you can handle a burrito that looks like a dare.
What You'll Love
Do you like sriracha? Then you have come to the right place. A blend of sriracha, rice, and tomatoes makes for the wildest Spanish style rice you may have come across.
The mushrooms soak up the flavors well and give you a bit of a reprieve from the heat. Black beans and cheddar round out the flavor profile to leave you ready for more.
What You'll Need
Mushrooms, sliced
Cheddar cheese, grated
Rice
Black beans
Garlic, minced
Tomatoes, diced
Sriracha
Coriander, chopped
Salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, oil
5. California Carne Asada
Do you like to take the taste of several worlds, mash them together, and declare victory? If so, then you have to try out this hodge-podge creation.
What You'll Love
You get all of that lovely carne asada flavor and add to it other things you love. The fries give that starchy high but get melted down with the protein so you end up with less pasta gut feelings.
The pineapple and avocado cream balance out the heat and give a smooth finish. They also brighten the flavor with a sweet flourish to keep you taking that one more bite.
What You'll Need
Carne asada
sharp cheddar, shredded
pepper Jack, grated
fries (of your liking)
pineapple, peeled and sliced
avocados, blended
lime juice
mayonnaise
salt, cumin, garlic powder
6. Chipotle Shrimp Burritos
A spicy kicked-up shrimp resting on some rice and topped with cooling crema. What isn't to want to experience in this recipe? Perhaps with a selection of friends at an exclusive event?
What You'll Love
Lightly seared shrimp give just the right mouthfeel. You can enjoy the heat and the flavor without getting too much of either. The heat has a depth to it with smoky undertones and not just hot to be hot.
The avocado crema cools it down and refreshes the palate, so you avoid feeling shrimp bloat. The simplicity of the recipe also makes for a great range of experimentation in adding your own touch.
What You'll Need
Shrimp shelled and tailed
Rice
Chipotle peppers
Adobo sauce
Honey
Cilantro, leaves
Lime, juiced
Avocados
Sour cream
Green chile enchilada sauce
olive oil, cinnamon
7. Mujaddara Burrito
A Middle Eastern take on the burrito that brings earthy flavors and vegetarian goodness.
What You'll Love
For the non-carnivores in the world (we know you are growing in numbers) comes this hit of rich seasoning and tender grains. The mixture of yogurt sauce and pine nuts from the baba ghanoush adds a heat up and cool down that will tickle your nose.
Lentils and basmati rice can be filling in a hurry, so consider chopping down the size of these a bit. They also can be served hot or cold, though better warm. Consider taking these on a camping or fishing trip and letting them rest in the cooler until needed. They are an excellent summer treat.
What You'll Need
Brown lentils, rinsed
Basmati rice
Onion, sliced thick
Garlic cloves, minced
Cilantro, minced
Sugar, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne pepper
8. Barbacoa Burrito
A savory mix of slow-cooked meat and the fresh scintillating flavor of pic de gallo come together.
What You'll Love
Rich, dark flavors associated with the tender barbacoa beef make the center of this treat. The cilantro lime rice provides a bright note and a tangy of sweet and sour at the same time. Finally, the pic de gallo keeps you from feeling like you are wasting all of those calories.
An added bonus from all things barbacoa is how many ways you can change up the spices and make the dish your own. In many ways, it is the chili cook-off of burritos.
What You'll Need
barbacoa beef
cilantro lime rice
pico de gallo
9. Salmon Burrito
The fish taco has had its place in the hearts of foodies for too long. This challenger offers a combination of sweets and savories you may find surprising.
What You'll Love
The sauce that permeates the salmon and soaks into the extra hearty structure of the corn tortillas knows what it's doing. The heat can start out a bit much but gets brought into line by the sweetness of the tomato and the salty feta.
The salmon doesn't wimp out either. It maintains shape and keeps the flavors separated enough without overpowering.
What You'll Need
Salmon
Corn tortillas
Sweet potato
Feta cheese, grated
Broccoli, small florets
Ancho chili sauce
Plum tomatoes, diced
Onion, chopped
Raisins
Garlic, chopped
Salt, oregano, cumin, cinnamon
10. Smothered Sweet Pork
A sweet and savory recipe that can be a shortcut in a few places or done slowly for maximum control.
What You'll Love
Sweet pork gives you just enough sweet to not be sticky. It also provides a nice binder for the heat elements without overpowering and losing flavor.
The cilantro lime rice provides a rich backdrop to put all of that on. The back-end wins from the combination of cheese and enchilada sauce. As a wet and baked burrito, it also brings a plethora of textures to keep you interested bite after bite.
What You'll Need
Pork, smoked and shredded
Monterey Jack (or cheddar), grated
Cilantro lime rice
Black beans
Cilantro, chopped
Enchilada sauce
Salt, pepper, chili powder, brown sugar
11. Cheesy Baked Burritos
A billion calorie (and worth it) throwback to a time before, this casserole cooked baked creation delivers in taste.
What You'll Love
The taste profile on this burrito gets deep. The chicken adds a smoky quality and the lime brings out the succulents in the chicken and the cheese. The salty combination of cheddar and Jack smooths out at the end of a bite.
The biggest drawback is also a feature. That 15 minutes of cook time, while the mixture bakes together, can drive you crazy with promises of things to come.
What You'll Need
rotisserie chicken, shredded
cheddar, grated
Monterey Jack, shredded
black beans
rice
onion, chopped
garlic cloves, minced
lime juice
salt, pepper,
12. Sweet Potato and Black Bean
Borrowing some flavors from the other half of the South, this burrito brings a seasonal taste to the classic burrito.
What You'll Love
A bit like a summer salad in a tortilla, almost more a wrap than a burrito. This burrito combines the sweet potato and the smoky chipotle pepper together to hug your tongue.
The mixture of Jack and sour cream gets touched up by the sweetness of the red onion. The bites might feel light in the mouth, but be careful it can pack in the calories with the density.
What You'll Need
Sweet potato, diced
Black beans
Monterey Jack, shredded
Spinach, small bunch
Romaine lettuce
Red onion, chopped
chipotle peppers, chopped
Sour cream
Lime juice
13. Green Chile Smothered Burrito
Creamy, rich, and a touch salty, hearty burritos that bring a European flair. A joy to create as the filling and the sauce both allow for tweaking.
What You'll Love
The richness of the sauce alone should be familiar to most. You wouldn't be surprised to see this mixed and tossed on top of pasta or in a pot pie. The filling also has a certain pot pie quality to it.
If you think of yourself as a meat and potatoes kind of person, this the burrito for you. If it comes across as a bit mild, remember that adding some spicy salsa or hot sauce to arrive at the appropriate kick.
What You'll Need
Beef, ground
Cheddar, shredded
Red potatoes, sliced
Garlic clove, minced
Green chile, roasted, peeled, and chopped
Onion, sliced
Flour
milk
Chicken stock
Sour cream
Salt, cumin, oregano
14. Cheesesteak Burrito
Adding steak to a burrito isn't the most risque of concepts. Taking a beloved American classic and morphing into a quintessential blend of Tex-Mex is something else.
What You'll Love
Robust flavors of well-seasoned steak nestled inside a warm and inviting cheese capsule wrapped with gusto. Need more than that? This burrito provides a touch of sweet and savory just as the heat reaches maximum fervor.
A bonus common to the cheese-heavy burritos is how everything stays together and doesn't drip as it is eaten. Leave the plate behind and carry this bad boy on a park trip our outdoor excursion.
What You'll Need
rib-eye steak, sliced thin
provolone, sliced
Monterey Jack, sliced
avocado, sliced
cilantro, chopped
onion, sliced or diced
red peppers, diced
sour cream
pepper, salt, steak seasoning
15. Grilled Pizza Burrito
The only food that American's love to throw the kitchen sink at more than the burrito is the pizza. So here is a final recipe to bring those worlds together.
What You'll Love
All the sinful pleasure of a Hot Pocket pizza but with actual flavor and healthy bits too. The addition of chicken bolsters the flavor while not taking away from the traditional Hawaiian pizza flavors.
Mozzarella melts well and gives a right amount of gooey without going too salty. You might be convinced to try it in place of Jack in some other recipes after trying this.
What You'll Need
Chicken, grilled
Canadian bacon
Mozzarella, shredded
Pineapple, chunked
Green bell pepper, diced
Jalapeno pepper, sliced
Pizza sauce
Salt, pepper, oregano, thyme
A World of Tastes
If all these burrito recipes and burrito talk has struck your stomach with a serious craving, don't worry, we have you covered. For those looking to experiment in the kitchen, consider checking out some of our other recipe lists as well.