If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate comfort food mashup, look no further than this Grilled Cheese Burritos Recipe. Imagine the gooey, melty magic of grilled cheese packed inside all your favorite burrito fillings, creating a satisfying crunch outside with a warm, flavorful hug on the inside. This recipe takes a little more time than your usual fast food grab, but trust me, every delicious bite is worth the effort. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or treating yourself to something special, these grilled cheese burritos bring an unbeatable combination of textures and tastes to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients here are straightforward but play a crucial role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color in your grilled cheese burritos. From the vibrant Mexican rice to the smoky chipotle mayo, each component enhances the final dish with its unique character.
- Long grain white rice: The base for our fluffy Mexican rice that adds heartiness and color.
- Avocado oil: Used to toast the rice and add a subtle nutty flavor while helping with the cooking process.
- Chicken broth (low or no sodium): This infuses the rice with savory depth without overpowering the other flavors.
- Tomato sauce: Adds acidity and richness, turning plain rice into vibrant Mexican-style rice.
- Onion powder, garlic powder, chicken bouillon, salt: These seasonings bring warmth and complexity to the rice.
- Ground beef: The star protein for the taco meat, rich and hearty.
- Chili powder, ground cumin, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano: A classic taco seasoning blend that brings bold, smoky, and earthy notes.
- Mayonnaise and sour cream: Creamy bases for the chipotle mayo, adding tang and silkiness.
- Lime juice: Gives the chipotle mayo a fresh citrus pop.
- Honey: Balances the smoky heat with a touch of sweetness.
- Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce: Provide smoky heat and signature flavor for the mayo.
- Smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt (for chipotle mayo): Additional spices to round out the sauce’s flavor.
- Large burrito-size tortillas: Soft and pliable for rolling all the fillings together perfectly.
- Tortilla strips: Add crunch and texture inside the burrito for that delightful contrast.
- Nacho cheese sauce: To layer in creamy, melty depth within the burrito.
- Mexican cheese blend shredded: Essential for that golden, crispy grilled cheese crust on the outside of the burrito.
How to Make Grilled Cheese Burritos Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Mexican Rice
Start by heating avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat and stir in the long grain white rice until it looks bright white and toasted. Then pour in the chicken broth and tomato sauce along with onion powder, garlic powder, chicken bouillon, and salt. Bring it to a simmer, reduce the heat, and cover for 25 minutes. Let it rest off the heat for another 10 minutes to finish cooking and fluff the rice once the lid is removed. This creates a richly flavored and colorful rice that makes a perfect filling.
Step 2: Cook the Taco Meat
Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once no pink remains, drain excess fat. Add chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano to season. Stir well so every bite bursts with classic taco flavors.
Step 3: Whip Up the Chipotle Mayo
Blend mayo, sour cream, lime juice, honey, chipotle chiles in adobo, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt until smooth. This smoky, spicy, and slightly tangy sauce will become your go-to dip for these grilled cheese burritos.
Step 4: Assemble the Burritos
Lay out tortillas and start layering ingredients: Mexican rice, taco meat, tortilla strips for crunch, warm nacho cheese sauce, sour cream, and a generous drizzle of chipotle mayo. Roll your burrito tightly with the seam underneath to hold everything snug.
Step 5: Grill the Burritos to Perfection
Heat a skillet or griddle over medium. Sprinkle a handful of shredded Mexican cheese on the skillet, let it melt until bubbly, then place a burrito seam side down onto the cheese. After 2 minutes, sprinkle more cheese alongside the burrito, flip it over to grill the other side in the melted cheese. Cook for another 2 minutes until both sides are crispy and golden with a beautiful cheese crust. Repeat until all burritos are grilled.
How to Serve Grilled Cheese Burritos Recipe
Garnishes
A simple garnish of fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or a squeeze of lime can brighten the flavors and add a fresh note that complements the rich burritos beautifully. A sprinkle of diced tomatoes or avocado on the side can also add color and freshness.
Side Dishes
Pair these indulgent grilled cheese burritos with light sides such as a crisp green salad or charred grilled corn salad. Refried beans or classic tortilla chips with salsa make for satisfying accompaniments without overshadowing the main event.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing the burritos in half on a diagonal to show off the luscious, melty interior. Serve them on rustic wooden boards or cast-iron skillets with small bowls of chipotle mayo and sour cream for dipping. Layer some fresh greens underneath for a restaurant-style presentation that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your grilled cheese burritos, tightly wrap any leftovers in foil or airtight containers and refrigerate. They will keep well for up to three days, making for easy, satisfying reheats during the week.
Freezing
To freeze, assemble the burritos but skip grilling. Wrap each burrito tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then place in a freezer bag. They can be stored for up to two months. Grill straight from frozen when you’re ready for that crispy finish.
Reheating
Reheat refrigerated grilled cheese burritos in a skillet over medium heat to restore the crispy cheese exterior. For frozen burritos, unwrap and grill gently on low heat or warm in the oven to ensure everything heats through evenly without losing that important crispiness.
FAQs
Can I make these burritos vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the ground beef for sautéed mushrooms, beans, or seasoned tofu. The rest of the fillings and the grilled cheese exterior will keep the burritos just as satisfying.
What type of cheese is best for grilling?
A shredded Mexican cheese blend works perfectly because it melts well and crisps beautifully on the skillet, creating that irresistible golden crust.
How spicy is the chipotle mayo?
The chipotle mayo has a mild to medium heat level with smoky undertones, but you can adjust the number of chipotle chiles to suit your spice preference.
Can I prepare the fillings in advance?
Yes! The Mexican rice, taco meat, and chipotle mayo can all be made a day ahead, making assembly quick and stress-free when you’re ready to enjoy.
What’s the best tortilla to use?
Large burrito-size flour tortillas are ideal as they are flexible and sturdy enough to hold all the hearty fillings without tearing during rolling and grilling.
Final Thoughts
This Grilled Cheese Burritos Recipe is a game changer when you’re craving something warm, cheesy, and packed with flavors you love. It’s perfect for weekends when you have a little extra time to make something truly special. I can’t wait for you to try it and discover why these burritos have quickly become one of my favorite comfort foods to share with friends and family.
Print
Grilled Cheese Burritos Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 burritos
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Description
This homemade Grilled Cheese Burritos recipe combines a crispy, golden grilled cheese tortilla exterior with flavorful fillings of savory taco meat, Mexican rice, tortilla strips, and creamy sauces like nacho cheese, sour cream, and chipotle mayo. Perfect for a satisfying meal that skips the fast food lines and offers customizable deliciousness.
Ingredients
Mexican Rice
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1½ cups low or no sodium chicken broth
- 4 ounces tomato sauce
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chicken bouillon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Taco Meat
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Chipotle Mayo
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (approx 1 small lime)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Grilled Cheese Burritos Assembly
- 8 large burrito-size tortillas
- 2 cups cooked Mexican rice (from above)
- 1 pound taco meat (from above)
- 1 cup tortilla strips
- ¾ cup nacho cheese sauce, warmed
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup chipotle mayo (prepared as above)
- 1 cup Mexican cheese blend, shredded
Instructions
- Prepare Mexican Rice: Heat avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the rice and cook until the grains become bright white. Stir in chicken broth, tomato sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, chicken bouillon, and salt. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and let cook for 25 minutes. Remove from heat and keep covered for an additional 10 minutes to finish steaming. Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in extra tomato sauce for flavor.
- Cook Taco Meat: In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart as it browns. Once no longer pink, drain excess grease. Add chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano to the beef and mix thoroughly to combine the seasoning evenly.
- Make Chipotle Mayo: In a small blender or food processor, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, honey, chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Assemble Burritos: Lay out each tortilla and layer with cooked Mexican rice, seasoned taco meat, tortilla strips, warm nacho cheese sauce, sour cream, and chipotle mayo. Roll each tortilla tightly, folding the ends in to form burritos, placing them seam-side down on a tray and continuing until all are assembled.
- Grill Burritos: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Sprinkle a handful of shredded Mexican cheese onto the skillet and allow it to melt. Place one burrito seam-side down onto the melted cheese and cook for about 2 minutes until golden. Then sprinkle another handful of cheese next to the burrito, and carefully flip the burrito onto this new melted cheese. Cook an additional 2 minutes to achieve a toasted, crispy coating on both sides. Remove the grilled burrito and repeat with remaining burritos.
- Serve: Serve the grilled cheese burritos warm, with extra chipotle mayo on the side for dipping, for a delicious and hearty meal.
Notes
- You can prepare the Mexican rice ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to use.
- If you prefer a milder chipotle mayo, reduce the number of chipotle chiles or remove the seeds before blending.
- Using a non-stick skillet or griddle ensures the cheese crisps up without sticking.
- Customize the fillings by adding beans, guacamole, or your favorite veggies.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms seasoned similarly.
