Cajun Sloppy Joe Burritos with Spicy Ground Beef and Cheese
These Cajun-spiced sloppy joe burritos combine seasoned ground beef with tangy salsa, chili sauce, and brown sugar for a sweet-heat filling wrapped in flour tortillas with sharp cheddar cheese. The Creole seasoning and crushed red pepper add bold Louisiana flavors to the classic sloppy joe mixture, while the burrito format makes it perfect for handheld eating. Great for casual dinners, game day gatherings, or when you want comfort food with a spicy twist.
Ingredients
- 1 pound extra lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Creole or Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper, adjust amount as needed
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1 cup salsa
- ½ cup chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 4 flour tortillas
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- 1
Brown the ground beef in a skillet
- 2
Sprinkle beef with Cajun seasoning and crushed red pepper
- 3
Add salsa, chili sauce, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar, stirring until evenly distributed
- 4
Simmer until meat mixture is heated through
- 5
Spoon beef mixture evenly into warmed tortillas
- 6
Place a slice of cheese on top of the beef mixture
- 7
Wrap tortilla around the filling
Tips
Warm tortillas in microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a dry skillet to make them more pliable for wrapping
Let the meat mixture cool slightly before assembling to prevent cheese from melting too quickly
Adjust crushed red pepper amount based on your heat preference
Good to Know
Refrigerate assembled burritos up to 3 days. Store filling separately from tortillas for best texture.
Make filling up to 2 days ahead and reheat before serving. Assemble just before eating.
Serve immediately while cheese is melty. Offer hot sauce, sour cream, or diced onions as toppings.
Common Mistakes
Don't overfill tortillas to avoid tearing when wrapping
Let filling cool slightly to prevent soggy tortillas
Substitutions
FAQ
Can I freeze these burritos?
Yes, wrap individually in foil and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
What if I don't have Cajun seasoning?
Mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne, salt and pepper for a homemade blend.
Can I make this less spicy?
Reduce or omit crushed red pepper and use mild salsa instead of medium or hot varieties.