Beef Bean Burritos Cheese (Printable Version)

A Tex-Mex dish combining ground beef, beans, and cheddar within warm flour tortillas.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1.1 lbs lean ground beef

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

→ Beans

04 - 14 oz canned black beans, drained and rinsed

→ Spices & Seasonings

05 - 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 ½ tsp chili powder
07 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
08 - ½ tsp dried oregano
09 - ½ tsp salt, adjust to taste
10 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ Other

11 - ½ cup tomato sauce
12 - 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch)
13 - 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
02 - Add ground beef to the skillet. Break apart with a spoon and cook until browned and fully cooked, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly coat the beef.
04 - Add tomato sauce and black beans to the skillet. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated and slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning to preference.
05 - Heat flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
06 - Divide beef and bean mixture evenly onto the lower third of each tortilla. Sprinkle with ⅓ cup shredded cheddar cheese per tortilla.
07 - Fold in the tortilla sides and roll tightly to enclose the filling fully.
08 - For a crisp exterior, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a clean skillet over medium-high heat. Sear burritos 1 to 2 minutes per side until golden brown.
09 - Serve warm with optional toppings such as sour cream, salsa, cilantro, or jalapeños.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when you need something hearty but don't have hours to spend cooking
  • The seasoning blend of cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika creates this incredibly warm, comforting flavor that tastes like you've been simmering this for hours
  • These burritos are endlessly customizable—top them however you like and everyone gets exactly what they want
  • It's budget-friendly and uses pantry staples, so you can make a satisfying meal without a special trip to the store
02 -
  • Never skip rinsing your canned beans—that starchy liquid will make your burrito filling mushy and heavy. A quick rinse under cold water changes everything
  • Warm your tortillas before assembly. I learned this the hard way when a cold tortilla split open and spilled filling everywhere. Warmth makes them flexible and forgiving
  • Don't overfill. I know it's tempting to pile everything in, but a burrito with a quarter cup of filling per tortilla rolls cleanly and holds together when you bite into it
03 -
  • Fresh shredded cheese melts more evenly than pre-shredded. Take two minutes to shred a block of cheddar and taste the difference in the final result
  • The sear step isn't just for looks—it creates a crispy exterior that contains the filling and adds textural contrast to every bite. Don't skip it if you have time
  • Brown your beef over medium heat rather than medium-high. This slower browning creates deeper flavor and gives you more control over the cooking process

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