Make-Ahead Freezer Beef and Bean Burritos with Rice
Hearty ground beef burritos packed with seasoned meat, refried beans, cilantro-lime rice, and pepper Jack cheese, all wrapped in soft flour tortillas. These protein-rich wraps are perfect for meal prep, busy weeknights, or feeding a crowd. The make-ahead friendly design allows you to freeze up to a month, making them an ideal solution for quick lunches or dinners. The combination of savory taco-seasoned beef, creamy beans, and zesty rice creates a satisfying handheld meal that beats any fast-food burrito.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef, at least 80%
- ⅝ cup water
- 1 packet Old El Paso Original Taco Seasoning Mix, 1 oz
- 1 cup Old El Paso Traditional Refried Beans, from 16 oz can
- 1 cup cooked rice, hot
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1 package Old El Paso Flour Tortillas for Burritos, 11 oz, 8 count
- 1 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese, 4 oz
Instructions
- 1
Cook ground beef in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked, then drain
- 2
Add water and taco seasoning mix to beef, heat to boiling, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring frequently, until thickened
- 3
Heat beans according to package directions
- 4
Combine hot rice, lime juice and cilantro in small bowl
- 5
Heat tortillas according to package directions
- 6
Spread beans down middle of each tortilla, leaving border around edges
- 7
Sprinkle cheese over beans
- 8
Add beef mixture and rice mixture down center of each tortilla
- 9
Fold bottom of tortilla over filling, fold sides in overlapping, then fold top over sides
- 10
Wrap each burrito in foil for freezing or serve immediately
Tips
Let rice cool slightly before adding lime juice and cilantro to prevent wilting the herbs and maintain better texture.
Drain beef thoroughly to prevent soggy burritos, and let seasoned mixture cool before assembling to avoid melting cheese prematurely.
Wrap burritos tightly in foil with shiny side facing the burrito to ensure even heating when microwaving from frozen.
Good to Know
refrigerate assembled burritos up to 3 days or freeze up to 1 month
assemble completely and freeze up to 1 month, or refrigerate assembled burritos up to 3 days
microwave from frozen 3-4.5 minutes or heat refrigerated burritos 1-2 minutes
Common Mistakes
drain beef thoroughly to avoid soggy tortillas
let seasoned beef cool before assembly to prevent cheese from melting during wrapping
Substitutions
FAQ
Can I use different beans instead of refried beans?
Yes, you can substitute black beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans. Drain and rinse canned beans, then mash lightly or use whole for different texture.
How long can I keep these burritos frozen?
Properly wrapped burritos can be frozen up to 1 month for best quality. Label with date and contents for easy identification.
Can I reheat these without a microwave?
Yes, thaw overnight in refrigerator, then heat in 350F oven for 15-20 minutes wrapped in foil, or unwrap and heat in skillet over medium heat.