Easy Bean and Cheese Burritos
This is the easy homemade bean burrito recipe you’ll find yourself making on repeat! The simple black beans are turned into a flavorful filling that pairs perfectly with oozy cheese and a crispy flour tortilla. It’s satisfying, budget-friendly, nutritious, and so delicious that we make them on a veryyyyyyy regular basis. The simple black beans are turned into a flavorful filling that pairs perfectly with oozy cheese and a crispy flour tortilla. Made with simple and nutritious ingredients, quick and easy, and a great option for busy weeknights or a satisfying lunch.
Whether you’re a vegetarian or just in the mood for a meatless meal, this one won’t disappoint! In fact, it’s such a popular meal at our house and while we do have them for dinner, they are a super popular lunch box item that my kids take to school.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
What You’ll Love About Bean Burritos
- Super DELICIOUS!
- Layers of creamy beans and melty cheese
- Filling and satisfying meal
- More than 30 grams of protein
- Made with simple ingredients
- Takes just 10 minutes total time
- Naturally vegetarian
Ingredients
- Tortillas – Look for burrito-sized flour tortillas, that are at least 10 inches in diameter so that you have enough room to roll it up. You can also use whole wheat tortillas if you prefer. If you can find the uncooked tortillas that need a quick fry, they are my top choice!
- Refried black beans – Aka the BEST homemade refried beans. They take less than 15 minutes and 4 ingredients (garlic, onion, oil, and canned black beans) to make. You don’t have to make them of course, you can buy a can of refried beans (or “squeeze beans” out of a pouch!) with your favorite variety – black beans or pinto beans are both delicious.
- Shredded cheese – I’ve used cheddar cheese, but you could use any cheese that melts well. Oaxaca (or quesillo) cheese would be ideal, but you could also use a Mozzarella or Monterey jack as well.
- Toppings – The toppings are optional, but add great flavor, texture, and spice. See the full list below, but my favorite is taking a little sour cream and mixing it with some hot sauce for a creamy dipping sauce to go along with the burritos.
Emily’s Tip
Make your own refried beans! My refried black beans are made from canned beans – so they are super easy – and they have the best flavor. In fact, we love them so much we started using them all the time in black bean tostadas and black bean quesadillas.
How to Make Burritos
This is an overview, the detailed instructions can be found below in the recipe card.
- Make refried black beans. You can make these ahead or right before making the burritos, they take just 15 minutes.
- Assemble burritos. Lay out the tortilla and place a sprinkle of cheese on the bottom third of the burrito. Top with refried bean mixture and another sprinkle of cheese. Roll the burrito up, and fold in the sides as you roll. Place seam side down and repeat with remaining tortillas and fillings.
- Cook burritos. Toast burritos seam side down first on a large skillet or griddle and cook until golden brown and the cheese has melted.
Topping Ideas
All vegetarian burritos need a few things – TOPPINGS! You can go as simple or as complex as you like. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Queso sauce
- Creamy jalapeno sauce
- Pico de gallo
- Your favorite salsas
- Roasted corn salsa
- Hot sauce
- Shredded lettuce
- Minced onion or green onions
- Chopped tomatoes
- Pickled jalapeños
Storage
Store leftover burrito components in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
How to reheat
Reheat burritos in the microwave gently or in a hot skillet just until warmed through.
Can you freeze bean burritos?
Yes, you can freeze the burritos. Store foil-wrapped burritos in a freezer bag (stasher bags work well). Freeze for 1-2 months.
To reheat: Unwrap the burrito from foil and wrap it loosely with a damp paper towel. Place on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 2-4 minutes, until hot throughout. Cooking time will vary by microwave.
How to prep ahead
If you prep the refried black beans ahead, you’ll be able to make a burrito in just a few minutes!
What to Serve with Bean and Cheese Burritos
All these vegetarian burritos need is a few simple sides, along
- Elote in a Cup (Street Corn)
- Corn Salsa
- Tortilla chips
- Easy green salad
- Rice or Spanish rice
Want More?
Read more about my nutrition philosophy here and follow Emily on Instagram or TikTok for family dinner recipe videos and tips for feeding kids.
Easy Bean and Cheese Burritos
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 8 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This EASY bean burrito recipe is made with just a few ingredients and makes for a satisfying and delicious vegetarian meal.
Ingredients
- 4 burrito-size flour tortillas
- 3 cups refried black beans (or 2 15-oz. cans refried beans)
- 2 cups shredded cheese
Instructions
- Make refried black beans if making from scratch.
- Assemble burritos. Lay out tortillas on a flat surface and place a sprinkle of cheese on the bottom third of the burrito. Top with refried beans and another sprinkle of cheese. Roll the burrito up, folding in the sides. Place seam side down and repeat with remaining tortillas and fillings.
- Cook burritos. Heat fry pan or griddle over medium heat. Cook burritos, seam side down first, for about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cheese is melted.
Notes
- We love to make our own refried black beans, but you can also use canned black beans for a quick and easy shortcut. I would drain them and mash slightly.
Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.
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