Savory Frozen Beef and Bean Burritos
These homemade Savory Frozen Beef and Bean Burritos are perfect for busy days when you crave a nutritious and filling meal without the hassle of cooking from scratch. With a deliciously seasoned filling of tender pinto beans, savory ground beef, and a hint of spice from green chilies, each burrito is a bite of comfort. Best of all, they freeze wonderfully, allowing you to make a batch ahead of time and enjoy them during your hectic week. Whether you prefer to heat them in the microwave, bake them, or fry them for a crispy finish (chimichanga-style), these burritos deliver warmth and satisfaction anytime.
15
Servings
300
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried pinto beans
1 lb (Sort and soak overnight or boil for 3 minutes, then rest for 1 hour.)
Sweet onion
1 large (Chopped.)
Lard or vegetable shortening
4 tablespoons (Used for cooking.)
Garlic
12 cloves (Minced.)
Adobo seasoning or seasoning salt
2 1/2 teaspoons (To taste.)
Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (To taste.)
Ground cumin
1 teaspoon (Used for seasoning.)
Ground beef
1 lb (Cooked until fully browned.)
Tomato paste
1 tablespoon (Used in filling.)
Chopped green chilies
1 (4 oz) can (Add into filling.)
Fresh flour tortillas
15 (10-inch) (Warm before filling.)
Shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups (Used for topping.)
Instructions
1
Sort the dried pinto beans and place them in a pot with 6 cups of water. Soak overnight or bring to a boil, let it cook for 3 minutes, then cover and remove from heat. Allow the beans to sit undisturbed for 1 hour.
2
After soaking, drain and rinse the beans. Cover them again with 6 cups of fresh water. Bring the beans to a boil, then cover and simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until they are tender and creamy.
3
Once cooked, drain the beans but retain the cooking liquid. This can be adjusted later to achieve your desired consistency.
4
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat with 6 cloves of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of adobo seasoning (or seasoning salt), 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of ground cumin until fully cooked, breaking apart any lumps.
5
In a separate deep skillet, warm 4 tablespoons of lard over medium heat. Add the chopped sweet onion and the remaining 6 cloves of minced garlic, cooking until the onion is tender and translucent.
6
Add the drained beans to the onion mixture and mash them until they reach a smooth and creamy texture. If necessary, add some of the reserved cooking liquid to adjust the consistency to your liking.
7
Season the bean mixture to taste with adobo seasoning or seasoning salt. Mix in the cooked ground beef, tomato paste, and chopped green chilies until well combined.
8
Warm each tortilla briefly on a skillet or in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften them, making them easier to roll.
9
On the center of each tortilla, place about 1/2 cup of the beef and bean mixture. Top with approximately 2 tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese.
10
Fold the sides of the tortilla toward the center, ensuring the side farthest from you is slightly closer to help maintain an even shape as you roll.
11
Carefully roll the tortilla over the filling, securing it snugly but not too tightly, resembling a cigar shape.
12
Wrap each burrito tightly in plastic wrap to maintain its shape, and continue this process until all the burritos are prepared.
13
Place the wrapped burritos in freezer bags or containers, then freeze until ready to use.
14
To heat a burrito, remove the plastic wrap and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, turning halfway through, until hot.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
45g
Carbs
20g
Protein
7g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Frozen Beef and Bean Burritos?
They are homemade, freezer-friendly burritos filled with seasoned ground beef, creamy pinto beans, and green chilies, designed for quick and easy reheating.
How many burritos does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 15 burritos.
What are the main protein sources in this recipe?
The primary protein sources are ground beef and dried pinto beans.
How should I prepare the dried pinto beans?
Sort the beans and soak them overnight, or boil for 3 minutes and let them rest for 1 hour before simmering for 1 to 1.5 hours until tender.
Can I use lard for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 4 tablespoons of lard or vegetable shortening to cook the onions and garlic for the bean mixture.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe requires 12 cloves of minced garlic: 6 for the beef and 6 for the bean mixture.
What spices are used to season the ground beef?
The beef is seasoned with adobo seasoning (or seasoning salt), black pepper, and ground cumin.
How do I make the bean filling creamy?
Mash the cooked beans with sautéed onion and garlic, adding reserved bean cooking liquid as needed to reach your desired consistency.
What kind of onion is best for the filling?
A large sweet onion is recommended for the best flavor.
Are these burritos spicy?
They have a hint of spice from a 4 oz can of chopped green chilies, but can be adjusted to your preference.
What is the purpose of adding tomato paste?
One tablespoon of tomato paste is mixed into the beef and bean filling to enhance the savory flavor and texture.
How do I prevent the tortillas from cracking while rolling?
Warm each tortilla for 10-15 seconds in a skillet or microwave to make them soft and easy to roll.
What size tortillas should I use?
The recipe specifies using 15 fresh 10-inch flour tortillas.
How much filling goes into each burrito?
Place about 1/2 cup of the beef and bean mixture in the center of each tortilla.
What type of cheese is used in the filling?
The recipe uses approximately 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, with 2 tablespoons per burrito.
How do I properly roll the burritos?
Fold the sides toward the center and roll the tortilla snugly over the filling into a cigar shape.
How should the burritos be stored for the freezer?
Wrap each burrito tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in freezer bags or containers.
What is the best way to reheat a frozen burrito?
Remove the plastic wrap and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, turning halfway through until hot.
Can I bake these burritos instead of microwaving?
Yes, the description notes that they can be baked or even fried for a crispy chimichanga-style finish.
How many calories are in one burrito?
Each burrito contains approximately 300 calories.
What is the nutritional breakdown for fat and carbs?
Each serving contains 10g of fat and 45g of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each burrito provides 20g of protein.
Are these burritos a good source of fiber?
Yes, they provide 7g of fiber per serving.
What can I substitute for adobo seasoning?
Seasoning salt can be used as a direct substitute for adobo seasoning.
Should I drain the beans after cooking?
Drain the beans but make sure to retain the cooking liquid to adjust the filling's texture later.
How long does it take to cook the pinto beans?
After the initial soak, they take about 1 to 1.5 hours to simmer until tender.
Can I make these burritos ahead of time?
Yes, they are specifically designed for meal prep and freeze wonderfully.
Is the beef drained before adding to the beans?
The beef is browned with seasonings until fully cooked before being mixed into the bean mixture.
What are the recommended tags for this recipe?
Tags include Mexican, beef, beans, freezer-friendly, meal prep, and comfort food.
Are the green chilies fresh or canned?
The recipe calls for one 4 oz can of chopped green chilies.