Frying The Perfect Bean And Cheese Burrito: Timing Is Key

Bean and cheese burritos are a quick, easy, and tasty meal. They can be made in under 30 minutes and are perfect for meal prep, as they can be frozen and reheated. The burritos are made with refried beans, salsa, spices, and cheese, all wrapped up in a flour tortilla. They can be baked or pan-fried until warm with melted cheese.

Frying a bean and cheese burrito

A bean and cheese burrito is a tasty, quick, and easy meal that can be made in under 30 minutes. It's also a great option for meal prep and freezing, so you can always have a delicious burrito on hand. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make and fry a bean and cheese burrito:

Ingredients:

• Tortillas (flour tortillas, preferably burrito-sized, around 9-10 inches in diameter)
• Beans (refried beans or whole beans such as pinto or black beans)
• Cheese (shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mexican blend, or a combination)
• Spices (chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper)
• Oil (for frying)
• Optional toppings/fillings: salsa, guacamole, sour cream, hot sauce, rice, diced onions, bell peppers, etc.

Step 1: Prepare the Beans

If using whole beans, start by heating oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions, bell peppers, and spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika/chili powder, and cumin). Cook until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Then, add the beans, reserved bean liquid (if using canned beans), and salsa. Cook until the mixture thickens and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 5-8 minutes. Use a potato masher or the back of a fork to mash about two-thirds of the beans. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the refried beans to a bowl and let them cool slightly to prevent the tortillas from getting soggy.

If using canned refried beans, simply combine them with salsa and spices in a bowl and heat them over medium-low heat until warm. You can also add diced onions and bell peppers if desired.

Step 2: Assemble the Burrito

Spread about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the refried beans in a strip across the center of a tortilla, leaving some space on the sides to prevent spilling. If desired, you can add rice, diced onions, and/or bell peppers on top of the beans. Then, add about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of shredded cheese. You can also add a drizzle of hot sauce for some extra spice.

Step 3: Roll the Burrito

Start by folding the short sides of the tortilla over the filling. Then, fold the bottom of the tortilla up and over the filling, rolling tightly away from you until the burrito is completely rolled. Make sure to fold in the sides first to hold in the filling. Repeat this process for the remaining burritos.

Step 4: Fry the Burrito

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of oil. Place 3 burritos seam-side down in the pan and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy. You may need to add more oil if you're making a larger batch. Repeat this process for the remaining burritos.

Alternatively, you can bake the burritos in the oven. Preheat the oven to 375-400°F and place the burritos seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden and crispy.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve your bean and cheese burritos warm with your favorite toppings and sauces. Some popular options include salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and hot sauce. You can also serve them with a side of tortilla chips, Mexican rice, or a salad.

Tips and Variations:

• To make the burritos ahead of time, assemble and roll them, then store them in the fridge until you're ready to fry or bake them.
• If you want to freeze the burritos, wrap each one tightly in parchment paper and then foil. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid before transferring to a freezer bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• To reheat frozen burritos, you can use the microwave, oven, air fryer, or skillet. For the microwave, unwrap the foil but leave the parchment paper on. Microwave on the defrost setting for about 12-13 minutes, flipping halfway through. For the oven, preheat to 350-375°F and wrap the burritos in foil. Bake for about 20-40 minutes, or until heated through. For the air fryer, preheat to 370-400°F, spray the burritos with oil, and cook for 6-10 minutes, rotating halfway through. For the skillet, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat and cook the burritos for a few minutes on each side until crispy and heated through.
• To make vegetarian-friendly burritos, use vegetarian-friendly refried beans or whole beans instead of canned refried beans, which may contain animal products.

Filling options

The filling for a bean and cheese burrito is a simple yet delicious combination of refried beans, salsa, cheese, and spices. Here are some detailed options and instructions for the filling:

Beans

For the beans, you can use canned refried beans, which are convenient and easy to prepare. Alternatively, you can make your own homemade refried beans, which can be surprisingly simple to prepare and offer a more authentic flavour. If you're short on time, you can use canned pinto or black beans, which work well in this dish.

Salsa

The choice of salsa is important for adding flavour to the burrito. It is recommended to use a good quality salsa, preferably a mild chunky salsa, to provide a nice texture and taste. You can also make your own salsa or use pico de gallo for a tangier flavour.

Cheese

The cheese is a key ingredient, providing a creamy and savoury element to the burrito. You can use shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, or a combination of both. For a little extra spice, you can opt for pepper jack cheese.

Spices

To enhance the flavour of the burrito, various spices can be added. These include chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt. You can adjust the amounts of these spices to your taste preference.

Additional Ingredients

While the beans, salsa, cheese, and spices form the core of the filling, you can also include some additional ingredients to add texture and flavour. Diced onions can provide a nice crunch, and you can also add bell peppers or jalapeños for a spicy kick.

Preparation

To prepare the filling, simply combine the refried beans, salsa, spices, and any additional ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the beans are warm. You can then assemble the burrito by spreading the bean mixture onto a tortilla, topping it with cheese, and rolling it up.

Freezing and reheating

Freezing:

Before you freeze your burritos, it's important to let the bean filling cool down to room temperature. This will help prevent the burritos from getting soggy. Once the filling has cooled, follow these steps:

• Add the beans and cheese to your tortilla and roll it up tightly.
• Wrap the burrito in foil to protect it from freezer burn.
• Place the wrapped burritos in a freezer bag or container.
• Store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Reheating:

There are several ways to reheat your frozen bean and cheese burritos. You can use the oven, microwave, air fryer, or even a stovetop. Here are the steps for each method:

Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Remove the burritos from the freezer and keep them wrapped in foil.
• Place the burritos on a baking sheet and heat for 20-30 minutes or until heated through.
• Unwrap and serve.

Microwave:

• Remove the burritos from the freezer and take off the foil.
• Place the burrito on a microwave-safe plate.
• Heat on high for 1 minute, then flip and heat for another minute.
• Continue heating in 30-second intervals until the burrito is heated through.

Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
• Place the burrito in the air fryer basket, still wrapped in foil.
• Cook for about 15 minutes, flipping the burrito once during cooking.
• Unwrap and serve.

Stovetop:

• Heat a skillet over medium-low heat and add a few drops of oil.
• Place the burrito in the skillet and increase the heat to medium.
• Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 5 minutes.
• Flip the burrito, cover again, and cook for another 5 minutes.
• Serve and enjoy!

Remember, it's important to ensure that your burrito is thoroughly reheated to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to prevent foodborne illness. Enjoy your delicious, crispy bean and cheese burritos!

Rolling technique

The rolling technique is a crucial aspect of making a bean and cheese burrito. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you master the art of rolling the perfect burrito:

Step 1: Warm the Tortilla

It is essential to start with a warm tortilla as it becomes more pliable and less prone to cracking. You can quickly warm it up by placing it on a hot pan for 30 seconds on each side or wrapping it in a damp paper towel and microwaving it for about 20 seconds.

Step 2: Place the Fillings

Spread about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of refried beans in the centre of the tortilla, just south of the midpoint. Top it with shredded cheese, diced onions, salsa, and any other desired fillings. Be careful not to overfill the burrito, leaving about 1 to 2 inches of space on each side.

Step 3: Fold the Sides

Pull the sides of the tortilla inwards and hold them in place with your fingers. This step is crucial to prevent the filling from falling out of the bottom of the burrito.

Step 4: Fold the Bottom

Use your thumbs to grab the bottom of the tortilla and fold it over the fillings. Make sure to completely cover the filling.

Step 5: Roll and Tuck

Starting with the bottom flap, continue rolling the burrito while tucking the flap firmly inwards to secure the fillings. Roll it tightly until your burrito is seam-side down.

Step 6: Seal the Burrito (Optional)

Some people prefer to leave one end of the burrito open, similar to a wrap. However, if you want to seal it completely, you can add a small amount of bean filling or cheese to the open end and gently press it to seal.

Step 7: Crisp the Burrito (Optional)

For a crispy texture, you can crisp up the burrito before serving. Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat and place the burrito seam-side down. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until it turns light brown. You can also use a tablespoon of lard or oil for an even crispier result.

Tips for a Perfect Roll:

• Use a large flour tortilla, preferably 10 to 12 inches in diameter, as it is more stretchy and can accommodate more fillings.
• Avoid overfilling the burrito to prevent it from unfurling or splitting.
• Roll the burrito tightly and securely to ensure it stays intact during eating.
• Practice makes perfect! Don't be discouraged if your first few attempts don't turn out perfectly.

Variations and serving suggestions

Fillings

Bean and cheese burritos are a classic, comforting meal that can be made with a variety of fillings. The basic ingredients are refried beans, salsa, cheese, and flour tortillas. You can use canned or homemade refried beans, and you can spice them up with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. For the cheese, shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mexican blend, or pepper jack are all great options. If you want to add some extra crunch and flavour, try adding diced onions. You can also include cooked rice, leftover taco meat, or chopped lettuce, onion, and tomato.

Cooking Methods

There are a few different ways to cook bean and cheese burritos. You can pan-fry them in a large skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes on each side until the outside is slightly crisp and the filling is warm. Alternatively, you can bake them in the oven at 375 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are heated through and slightly crisp. If you're short on time, you can also toast them on the stovetop by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat and cooking the burritos for a few minutes on each side until toasted and heated through.

Serving Suggestions

Bean and cheese burritos are delicious on their own, but they can be even better with some toppings and sides. Try serving them with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, plain Greek yogurt, or hot sauce. If you're looking for something more filling, serve them with Mexican rice or tortilla chips on the side. They're also great with a salad, such as a southwestern or avocado ranch salad.

Frequently asked questions