Barbacoa Burrito

Featured in Dinner Ideas Everyone Will Love.

These quick barbacoa burritos are your busy day hero The beef is super tender and packed with flavor like its been cooking all day even though it only takes minutes to heat through The cilantro lime rice soaks up all those amazing meat juices while fresh toppings add the perfect crunch and bite Wrap it all up in a warm tortilla and youve got something that tastes totally made from scratch in just about 15 minutes Its the kind of meal that makes you look like you spent way more time cooking than you actually did
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Updated on Wed, 15 Jan 2025 20:52:00 GMT
A close-up of a burrito filled with rice, black beans, shredded beef, and guacamole, served with a lime wedge and a dollop of sour cream. Pin it
A close-up of a burrito filled with rice, black beans, shredded beef, and guacamole, served with a lime wedge and a dollop of sour cream. | cookingkeys.com

These barbacoa burritos were inspired by my love for those amazing street tacos in Mexico! I wanted to capture that same tender, flavorful beef but wrap it up with all the fixings into one perfect package. When I first served these at our family dinner, everyone went quiet for a moment that first bite just takes you somewhere special!

What Makes These Special

These aren't your ordinary burritos! That tender barbacoa beef brings such rich flavor, while the cilantro lime rice adds this perfect fresh brightness. When my friend tried them, she said it was like having her favorite taco shop wrapped up in one neat package. The way all those toppings come together with that perfectly seasoned meat it's absolutely magical!

Gathering Your Ingredients

  • The Base:
    • Tender barbacoa
    • Fresh rice
    • Black beans
    • Soft tortillas
    • Melty cheese
  • The Fresh Touch:
    • Bright cilantro
    • Fresh limes
    • Ripe avocados
    • Crisp lettuce
    • Zesty salsa
A close-up of a tortilla filled with rice, black beans, shredded meat, diced tomatoes, and topped with guacamole and cilantro, served on a wooden plate. Pin it
A close-up of a tortilla filled with rice, black beans, shredded meat, diced tomatoes, and topped with guacamole and cilantro, served on a wooden plate. | cookingkeys.com

Creating Burrito Magic

Perfect Rice
When you mix that warm rice with fresh lime juice and cilantro, the aroma is absolutely incredible! It's like creating a little bed of flavor for everything else.
Assembly Time
Layering each ingredient is like painting with flavors each component adds its own special touch to the masterpiece.
Rolling Glory
There's something so satisfying about rolling these up into tight, perfect packages. That moment when everything comes together just right!
A close-up of a burrito filled with rice, black beans, shredded beef, guacamole, and diced tomatoes, garnished with fresh cilantro and served with a lime wedge. Pin it
A close-up of a burrito filled with rice, black beans, shredded beef, guacamole, and diced tomatoes, garnished with fresh cilantro and served with a lime wedge. | cookingkeys.com

My Burrito Secrets

Want to know what makes these burritos extra special? Always warm your tortillas first they're so much easier to roll! Layer your ingredients in the right order: rice and beans first creates a base that holds everything together. And here's my favorite trick: give them a quick toast in a skillet that crispy exterior takes them to the next level!

Serving Style

I love setting up a little burrito bar when friends come over! Everyone gets to customize their perfect combination of toppings. It's such fun watching people create their own masterpieces, and there's always someone who manages to fit an impressive amount of filling into their tortilla!

Make Ahead Tips

The beauty of these burritos is how well they work for planning ahead! Prep your barbacoa and rice in advance, then just warm everything up when you're ready to assemble. I often make extra rice and beans to keep in the fridge it makes weeknight dinners so much easier.

Mix It Up

While this version is amazing, don't be afraid to experiment! Sometimes I'll add corn salsa for sweetness, or pickled jalapeños for extra heat. My vegetarian friend makes hers with roasted mushrooms instead of beef absolutely delicious! The joy of burritos is making them exactly how you like them.

A plate of two burritos filled with guacamole, vegetables, and shredded beef, accompanied by lime wedges. Pin it
A plate of two burritos filled with guacamole, vegetables, and shredded beef, accompanied by lime wedges. | cookingkeys.com

Wrapped with Love

These barbacoa burritos have become such a favorite in our house! There's something so special about taking those amazing barbacoa flavors and wrapping them up with fresh ingredients. Each burrito becomes its own perfect meal, filled with all the things we love. It's comfort food that brings a little bit of Mexico right to our table!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What is barbacoa beef?
Barbacoa is tender, slow-cooked beef traditionally made from beef cheeks. It's known for its rich, savory flavor and tender, shreddable texture.
→ Can I prepare any parts ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the cilantro lime rice ahead and prep all toppings. Heat the barbacoa and assemble just before serving for the freshest results.
→ How do I keep my tortillas from breaking?
Warming tortillas is crucial for flexibility. Either microwave them wrapped in a damp towel or heat in a skillet as directed in the recipe.
→ Can I use different toppings?
Yes, you can customize with your favorite toppings. Try different salsas, peppers, or other fresh vegetables to make it your own.
→ How do I store leftover burritos?
Wrap assembled burritos in foil and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or on a skillet for best results.

Barbacoa Burrito

Hearty burritos filled with savory beef barbacoa, cilantro lime rice, and fresh toppings. Ready in just 15 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
5 Minutes
Total Time
15 Minutes

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Mexican

Yield: 4 Servings (4 burritos)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 cup jasmine rice.
02 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped.
03 1 lime.
04 16 ounces beef barbacoa.
05 4 large flour tortillas (burrito size).
06 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed.
07 1/4 cup sour cream.
08 1/4 cup guacamole.
09 1/2 cup pico de gallo.
10 1 cup shredded cheese.
11 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce.

Instructions

Step 01

Cook jasmine rice following package instructions. When done, stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro.

Step 02

Cook beef barbacoa in a pan over medium heat. Let it brown for 3-5 minutes, then stir and cook 2-3 minutes more.

Step 03

Wrap tortillas in damp towel and microwave 30-60 seconds until soft. Or warm each in a hot pan for 30 seconds per side.

Step 04

Layer each tortilla with rice, beans, barbacoa, sour cream, guacamole, pico, cheese, and lettuce, dividing ingredients evenly.

Step 05

Fold in sides of tortilla, then roll up tightly. Place seam-side down.

Notes

  1. Can be wrapped in foil to keep warm.
  2. Cut in half to serve.
  3. Quick 15-minute meal using pre-cooked barbacoa.

Tools You'll Need

  • Skillet.
  • Rice cooker or pot.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 679
  • Total Fat: 27 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 71 g
  • Protein: 38 g