Wet Burritos Recipe
If you’re craving the ultimate comfort food that brings together all your Tex-Mex favorites in one glorious bite, these Wet Burritos are about to become your new obsession. Imagine tender beef, creamy refried beans, and gooey cheese all wrapped in a soft tortilla, then bathed in a rich, zesty enchilada sauce before being baked until bubbly and golden. Every forkful is pure satisfaction, and the toppings take these from delicious to absolutely unforgettable. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or hosting friends for game night, Wet Burritos are the kind of cheerful, crowd-pleasing dish that’s easy to prep and hard to resist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Wet Burritos rely on a handful of honest, flavor-packed ingredients that work together to create a filling, saucy, and irresistibly cheesy meal. Each element adds something unique, whether it’s savory richness, a pop of color, or that crave-worthy melty finish.
- Ground beef: The juicy, savory base for your filling, but feel free to swap with ground turkey or shredded chicken for a twist.
- Onion (diced): Adds sweet depth and essential aromatic flavor to the beef mixture.
- Garlic (minced): Brings a boost of flavor you don’t want to skip for authentic Tex-Mex vibes.
- Taco seasoning: The spice blend that transforms humble beef into something irresistibly craveable.
- Water: Helps blend the seasonings and create a saucy, scoopable filling.
- Refried beans: Make the filling creamy and help bind everything together.
- Cooked rice (optional): Turns the burritos extra hearty and perfect for big appetites.
- Flour tortillas (burrito-size): The all-important wrap—choose large, soft tortillas for the best result.
- Shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese: For that melty, oozy finish that makes Wet Burritos so satisfying.
- Red enchilada sauce: Soaks into the burritos as they bake, adding warmth and richness.
- Green enchilada sauce (or more red): Adds zippy brightness and a little variety—pick just red if you like it classic.
- Chopped lettuce: A fresh, crisp topper to balance all that luscious cheese and sauce.
- Diced tomatoes: Bring color, juiciness, and a burst of summery freshness.
- Sour cream: For a cool, creamy finish that ties everything together.
- Green onions: A final sprinkle for color and a subtle oniony kick.
How to Make Wet Burritos
Step 1: Cook the Beef and Aromatics
Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat, then add your ground beef and diced onion. Cook, stirring and breaking up the beef, until it’s browned and the onion is soft, roughly 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off any excess fat to keep your filling from getting greasy.
Step 2: Add Garlic and Seasonings
Sprinkle in the minced garlic, taco seasoning, and pour in the water. Let the mixture simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens up and the flavors meld together beautifully. This is when your kitchen starts to smell amazing!
Step 3: Stir in Beans and Rice
Reduce the heat and stir in the refried beans until everything is smooth and homogenous. If you fancy a heartier filling, this is your moment to add cooked rice. Once everything’s well combined, take the pan off the heat.
Step 4: Prepare and Fill the Tortillas
Warm your flour tortillas slightly—either in the microwave wrapped in a towel, or briefly in a warm pan—so they’re easy to roll. Spoon an even amount of the beef-bean mixture into the center of each tortilla, add a little sprinkle of cheese, then roll them up burrito-style: fold in the sides, then roll tightly from the bottom. Place each seam-side down in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 5: Sauce and Cheese It Up
In a small bowl, mix your red and green enchilada sauces together if you like a bit of both (or stick to red for a more classic Wet Burritos experience). Pour the sauce evenly over the burritos, making sure every inch is covered. Sprinkle the remaining cheese liberally over the top—generosity is encouraged here!
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake uncovered at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for the cheese to be fully melted and irresistible, and the sauce to bubble happily around the edges. Let the Wet Burritos rest for a few minutes so they set up a bit before serving.
How to Serve Wet Burritos
Garnishes
This is where you take your Wet Burritos from hearty to heavenly: a shower of chopped lettuce, juicy diced tomatoes, a big dollop of tangy sour cream, and a scatter of fresh green onions. Each garnish adds layers of color, crunch, and creaminess, making every bite a little party in your mouth.
Side Dishes
Wet Burritos are a star on their own, but pairing them with the right sides really makes the meal sing. Try classic Mexican rice, charro beans, or a simple corn salad. If you’re looking for something light, a crisp salad with cilantro-lime dressing or a platter of roasted veggies works beautifully, cutting through the richness with just the right amount of freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to wow your guests, try assembling a Wet Burritos bar, with bowls of different toppings and sauces so everyone can customize their plate. For a weeknight twist, serve individual burritos in oven-safe dishes and let everyone garnish their own. Or cut larger burritos in half for easy party sharing—no forks required!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have extra Wet Burritos, let them cool to room temperature before placing them in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days—just know that the tortillas will soak up some of that wonderful sauce, making them even more flavorful.
Freezing
These burritos are perfect for freezing! For best results, assemble but don’t bake them. Wrap each individually in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze. When ready to enjoy, bake straight from frozen, adding extra time so they’re heated through and the cheese gets nice and melty.
Reheating
To reheat refrigerated Wet Burritos, cover the baking dish with foil and warm them in a 350°F oven until hot—about 20 minutes. For a speedier fix, you can microwave individual servings, but add a sprinkle of fresh cheese before zapping for the best melted result.
FAQs
Can I use a different kind of meat?
Absolutely! Wet Burritos are versatile, so swap the ground beef for ground turkey, shredded chicken, or even a plant-based meat alternative for something different but just as satisfying.
Are Wet Burritos spicy?
The spice level depends on your choice of enchilada sauce and taco seasoning. If you prefer mild, stick with a gentle red sauce and mild taco seasoning, or kick things up with a spicy blend and extra jalapeños.
Can I make them ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble your burritos and keep them, unbaked, in the fridge (covered) for up to a day ahead. Just add the sauce and cheese right before baking for best texture and flavor.
What’s the difference between Wet Burritos and enchiladas?
Wet Burritos use large flour tortillas and a heartier filling, whereas enchiladas typically feature smaller corn tortillas and are more heavily sauced. Both are baked and covered in sauce, but burritos are bigger and often more customizable.
How do I prevent soggy burritos?
The key is to bake just until the cheese melts and serve soon after. Letting Wet Burritos rest for a few minutes after baking helps them hold their shape, while still soaking up that delicious sauce.
Final Thoughts
Bringing Wet Burritos into your kitchen is like creating a little fiesta everyone will love! They’re hearty, customizable, and wildly satisfying—truly a recipe that invites you to gather with friends or cozy up for a family night in. Give them a try, and you might just discover your new favorite way to enjoy burritos at home.
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Wet Burritos Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Wet Burritos are a delicious and comforting Mexican-American dish that features seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and rice wrapped in a flour tortilla, smothered in enchilada sauce, and baked with melty cheese. Perfect for a family dinner or a casual gathering with friends.
Ingredients
For the Beef Mixture:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
For Assembly:
- 1 (15 oz) can refried beans
- 1 cup cooked rice (optional)
- 4 large flour tortillas (burrito-size)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 (10 oz) can red enchilada sauce
- 1 (10 oz) can green enchilada sauce or additional red
- Chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Beef: In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion until browned. Add garlic, taco seasoning, and water. Simmer until thickened. Stir in refried beans and cooked rice.
- Assemble Burritos: Fill tortillas with beef mixture, sprinkle with cheese, and roll up burrito-style. Place in a baking dish.
- Add Sauces: Mix enchilada sauces and pour over burritos. Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let rest, then garnish with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and green onions.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or shredded chicken.
- Add jalapeños or hot sauce for extra heat.
- Freezer-friendly before baking—wrap tightly and freeze, then bake from frozen with extra time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burrito
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
