Are you ready for the best-ever Wet Burritos? Smothered burritos are made with ground beef and refried beans and wrapped in large tortillas. They’re topped with red sauce and melted Mexican mix cheese.
Serve this tasty authentic Mexican dish with your favorite toppings, such as guacamole or sour cream, lettuce, and onion, tomatoes, and tomato sauce. These are often requests from friends and family.
You can freeze leftovers if you cook for two. Reheat the leftovers by allowing them to cool completely before heating up your oven to 400°F. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until they are heated through.
Wet Burritos Recipe
Ingredients
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1 lb ground beef
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2 tsp minced garlic
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½ cup chopped onion
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1 tsp ground cumin
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½ tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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5 oz canned diced green chiles
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15 oz refried beans
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8 oz tomato sauce
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10 oz enchilada sauce
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15 oz chili (no beans)
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6 large flour tortillas (10–12 inches)
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3 cups Mexican blend shredded cheese
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2 cups shredded lettuce (optional for topping or baking)
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Chopped green onions, for garnish
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Additional toppings: diced tomato, sour cream, more lettuce, etc.
Instructions
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Prep & Preheat:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease two 9×13-inch baking dishes. -
Cook the Filling:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until browned and onions are soft. Drain excess grease.
Stir in garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Add green chiles and refried beans. Mix well and cook for a few minutes until heated through. Remove from heat. -
Prepare the Sauce:
In a saucepan, combine chili (no beans), tomato sauce, and enchilada sauce. Heat over medium until warmed through, then set aside. -
Assemble the Burritos:
Divide the beef-bean mixture into six equal portions.
Lay out a tortilla, spoon a portion of filling in the center, and sprinkle with a bit of cheese and lettuce (if you like it baked in).
Fold in the sides, then roll up tightly into a burrito.
Place seam-side down in prepared baking dishes. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling. -
Smother & Bake:
Pour the sauce evenly over the burritos, making sure each one is generously covered.
Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. -
Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and everything is hot and bubbly. -
Garnish & Serve:
Top with green onions and any favorite toppings: shredded lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, etc. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tip:
If you prefer crispier burritos, bake uncovered; for softer burritos, cover with foil.
Did this recipe make your mouth water? Pin the image below to your Pinterest board so you can find these cheesy smothered burritos anytime—and share them with fellow comfort food lovers!
You can also check out this amazing California Burritos with Carne Asada Recipe!
What is a “wet burrito”?
- A wet burrito has been smothered with red enchilada sauce and melted cheese and then covered. Also known as a smothered Burrito,
- This meal can be made completely to your liking. It’s an excellent choice for a family dinner. You can swap out the meats and rice for your favorite meat, beans, or vegetables. Also, you can use your favorite red or green enchilada recipe.
- An excellent option for leftovers! This is a great way to use leftover meat from a meal.
- Restaurant Quality: This meal is simple but delicious and filling. It also looks great, just like a meal at your favorite Tex-Mex restaurant.
The Best Wet Burritos Ever
Are you familiar with The Beltline Bar’s Famous Wet Burritos of Grand Rapids, Michigan, or The Grand Villa Dungeon’s Wet Burritos of Grandville, Michigan? If you are, you know their burritos are amazing! This recipe is even more delicious, and you can make it in your own kitchen.
Do you want something to accompany it? This Basque Burnt Cheesecake and this Crustless Creamy Cheesecake for Two are great options.
What’s the difference between an enchilada, a burrito, and a chimichanga?
What is a burrito, you ask?
Burritos are made with tortillas that have been filled with one or more ingredients. You can fill your burrito with any cheese, meat, sausage, egg, all kinds of sauces, beans, or other veggies. You can usually eat one of these burritos per meal. They can be smothered with sauce or picked up and eaten independently.
What is an Enchilada?
Enchiladas are made with corn tortillas. They are wrapped in a filling, rolled up, and then wrapped again. These are usually served with chili sauce or enchilada sauce on a bed with cheese. These are small enough to fit on one dinner plate.
What is a chimichanga?
Chimichangas can be described as deep-fried burritos. To get a crisp outer shell, they can be lightly brushed with oil and baked in an oven. You start with a burrito-sized flour tortilla. The fillings can vary, but they are generally filled with the same fillings as burritos. Chimichangas come with cheese, sour cream and guacamole.
FAQS:
Can you freeze wet burritos?
After filling and rolling your burritos, wrap them in foil. Place in a bag or container that is freezer-safe. These can be frozen for up to 60 days, or more.
What about using a green enchilada?
You can use any enchilada condiment you like. A chicken filling is a great pairing for green sauce.
Which tortilla is best?
Large burrito-sized tortillas are best, measuring approximately 9-10 inches in diameter. Either buy ready-made or make your own. When you are short on time, one of my favorite options is to buy raw tortillas at the markets. These can then be prepared in your own kitchen.
Expert Tips
- Warm all your fillings before filling the wet burritos. This reduces the baking time and ensures that everything stays warm throughout the cooking process.
- I prefer using a baking dish rather than a cookie sheet. Enchilada sauces can get drippy, so use a baking dish to prevent any spills.
Notes
- You can freeze leftovers if you cook for two.
- Reheat by allowing it to cool completely, then heating your oven to 400°F. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cake is heated through.
