The Best Burritos Don't Skimp On The Seasoning

How to season each burrito ingredient

Before adding seasoning to your burrito ingredients, take a moment to consider your preferences. Are you team rice or no rice? Do you prefer whole beans or refried? Some burrito enthusiasts enjoy only warm fillings, while others appreciate the crunch of fresh vegetables and toppings. Perhaps a Mission-style burrito, the oversized version packed with beans, rice, meat, guacamole, and sour cream, is more your style. Remember, the same approach to seasoning each component can also be applied to crafting a delicious breakfast burrito.

Begin with the foundation: Rice, often seen as a filler, can be enhanced with cilantro, lime, cumin, or other spices. Many restaurants cook their rice in chicken broth (vegetable broth works well too!) for an easy flavor boost. The rice should be seasoned but not overly spicy, allowing for the addition of a zesty salsa or grilled chile if you like. Don’t overlook the beans, either. While pre-seasoned canned beans are readily available, if you’re preparing black or pinto beans from scratch, incorporate aromatics like onions, garlic, cumin, and bay leaves for added depth.

Whether your primary filling is beef, chicken, or a plant-based choice like tofu or vegetables, incorporate essential Mexican spices such as cumin, chili powder, garlic, paprika, and oregano. Marinating meat or tofu for a few hours in these spices, along with citrus juices like lime or orange, will infuse them with flavor, tenderize the meat, and add a refreshing brightness.

Maximize the flavor of your tortilla and extra toppings

Now that you've seasoned the essential burrito ingredients, any fresh additions you plan to include won’t require much seasoning. Ingredients like onion, corn, cilantro, tomato, or shredded lettuce can be enhanced with simple upgrades. For instance, you might char-grill your corn or purchase a pre-charred package from the store. A dash of salt and pepper or a squeeze of lime juice can elevate the flavors of any fresh components. Instead of using raw diced onions, consider grilling them or adding pickled red onions for a tangy kick. Guacamole, sour cream, and salsa are already packed with flavor, so they don’t need any adjustments.

You might not have considered seasoning the tortilla, but many taquerias and Mexican restaurants quickly heat tortillas on the grill to impart a delicious char. To prepare a burrito dorado (which means "golden"), you can also fry a fully wrapped burrito in hot oil until it’s slightly browned and crispy on the outside.