Transform your weeknight dinner into a vibrant fiesta with these irresistible Smothered Burritos featuring a luscious Green Chile Sauce. Each hearty beef and bean burrito is generously draped in a rich, creamy, and easy-to-make green chile sauce, promising a family-friendly meal that’s both satisfying and surprisingly simple. Say goodbye to bland dinners and hello to a burst of Tex-Mex flavor!
There’s nothing quite like a delicious Mexican-inspired dinner to bring everyone to the table, and at our house, it’s a cherished tradition. If you share our enthusiasm for these bold flavors, then you’re in for a treat! While you’re here, make sure to explore other family favorites like our delightful Crispy Black Bean & Bacon Tacos or the comforting Green Chicken Enchiladas. Each recipe offers a unique take on Mexican cuisine, promising to add excitement to your meal rotation.
Elevate Your Mexican Night with Homemade Smothered Burritos
Forget the bland, mass-produced burritos from fast-food chains or even the often-underwhelming offerings from some Mexican restaurants. These Smothered Burritos with Green Chile Sauce are a league above, crafted with fresh ingredients and bursting with authentic flavor. The best part? You can whip up a batch of these delectable burritos faster than it takes to drive to your local drive-thru, making them the ultimate solution for a quick yet incredibly satisfying weeknight meal. Imagine skipping the wait and enjoying a homemade feast tailored perfectly to your family’s tastes.
At the heart of this dish lies a perfectly seasoned beef and refried bean mixture, tucked snugly inside a soft, warm tortilla. But the real magic happens when this delightful package is enveloped in our signature creamy green chile sauce. It’s a sauce so good, you’ll want to pour it over everything! To finish, a generous sprinkle of melty cheese, crisp shredded lettuce, and juicy diced tomatoes creates a symphony of textures and flavors. Prepare to enter a state of Mexican food bliss – a delicious food coma is practically guaranteed, and absolutely worth every single bite.
Traditionally, beef burritos might not always be paired with a white, creamy sauce, but trust us when we say this combination is a game-changer. I started making these burritos back in 2013, and the unique pairing of savory beef with this rich green chile cream sauce has kept me hooked ever since. In fact, this sauce is so beloved in my kitchen that it’s the very same one I use for my popular White Chicken Enchiladas! Its versatility and incredible flavor make it a true culinary secret weapon, turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary.
Key Ingredients for Unforgettable Smothered Burritos
Crafting the perfect smothered burrito starts with high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need for both the hearty filling and that luscious green chile sauce:
- Ground Beef: Opt for a leaner ground beef (90/10 or 93/7 works wonderfully) to minimize excess fat, eliminating the need for draining. This keeps the filling lighter and ensures a cleaner flavor profile.
- Aromatics (Onion and Garlic): These foundational ingredients are essential for building a deep, aromatic base of flavor for your beef and bean mixture. Freshly minced garlic and finely diced onion make all the difference.
- Essential Seasonings: A simple yet powerful blend of chili powder and cumin, seasoned with salt and pepper to taste, will infuse your beef with classic Mexican warmth and spice. Adjust to your preference.
- Beans: Canned refried beans offer convenience and excellent texture. For an even more authentic touch, consider making your own homemade refried beans – it’s easier than you think and adds a wonderful depth of flavor.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese is a classic choice for its meltability and tangy flavor. However, feel free to experiment! Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend would also be fantastic. For those who crave a little extra kick, pepper jack cheese is an excellent addition.
- Tortillas: This recipe is designed to create 4 generously sized burritos using large, burrito-sized flour tortillas. If you prefer smaller portions or are serving kids, you can easily use smaller tortillas and make more individual burritos. Ensure they are fresh and pliable for easy rolling.
- Butter: The foundation of our creamy green chile sauce begins with butter, providing a rich base for the roux.
- All-Purpose Flour: Flour is crucial for creating a roux, which acts as the thickening agent for our indulgent sauce, giving it that perfect, silky consistency.
- Chicken Broth: While beef broth could technically be used, chicken broth tends to offer a lighter, more nuanced flavor that allows the green chiles to shine in the sauce. Feel free to use low-sodium broth to control the salt content.
- Sour Cream: This is the secret ingredient for an unbelievably creamy and slightly tangy sauce. It adds a luxurious texture and balances the flavors beautifully.
- Canned Green Chiles: A small can of chopped green chiles provides a mild, earthy heat and signature flavor to the sauce without overwhelming the palate. Choose mild or hot depending on your heat preference.
Crafting Your Smothered Burritos: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making these smothered burritos is a straightforward process, broken down into two main components: the savory beef and bean filling, and the irresistible green chile sauce. Follow these steps for a perfect outcome:
- Prepare the Beef & Bean Filling: In a large skillet, heat a touch of oil over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it begins to brown. Once the beef is partially cooked, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Continue to cook until the meat is fully browned, and the onions have softened and become translucent. Drain any excess fat if necessary. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper, mixing well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed and fragrant.
- Incorporate the Beans: To the seasoned beef, add the canned refried beans and the specified amount of water. Stir everything together until well combined and heated through, creating a rich and flavorful mixture. Reduce the heat to low and keep warm while you prepare the sauce.
- Begin the Green Chile Sauce: In a separate, medium-sized skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to create a smooth roux. Cook this mixture for about one minute, stirring constantly, to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Thicken the Sauce: Gradually and slowly whisk in the chicken broth into the roux. Continue whisking as the sauce heats up to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook, stirring occasionally, until it visibly thickens to a consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
- Finish the Sauce: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the sour cream and the chopped green chiles until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Keep the sauce warm while you assemble the burritos.
- Assemble Your Burritos: Lay your tortillas flat on a clean work surface. Distribute the shredded cheese evenly among the tortillas, spreading it down the center of each.
- Add the Filling: Next, divide the warm beef and bean mixture equally among the tortillas, spreading it over the cheese in a log shape down the center. Be careful not to overfill, allowing space for rolling.
- Roll the Burritos: To perfectly roll each burrito, start by folding in the opposite ends of the tortilla over the filling. Then, firmly tuck one side of the tortilla over the filling and roll it tightly towards the other side, creating a neat, compact burrito.
- Serve and Smother: Place a freshly rolled burrito onto an individual serving plate. Generously ladle a desired amount of the warm, creamy green chile sauce over the top. Finish with your favorite toppings – we highly recommend extra shredded cheese, fresh shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes for a complete experience.
Expert Tips for Perfect Smothered Burritos
- Pliable Tortillas are Key: For the easiest and most successful rolling, ensure your flour tortillas are fresh and pliable. If they’ve been sitting in the pantry for a while and feel stiff, a quick 10-15 second microwave session (stacked and covered with a damp paper towel) will soften them beautifully, preventing cracks and tears.
- Sauce Quantity is Flexible: This recipe yields a generous amount of green chile sauce, which is a good thing! Feel free to add as much or as little as you desire to each burrito. Some prefer a light drizzle, while others love a fully “smothered” experience.
- Customizable Toppings: While we adore extra cheese, crisp lettuce, and fresh tomatoes as toppings, don’t stop there! Consider adding a dollop of guacamole or a spoonful of salsa for extra flavor and freshness. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro or sliced black olives also makes for delightful additions.
- Storage & Leftovers: To maintain freshness and prevent sogginess, it’s best to store any leftover beef and bean filling and green chile sauce in separate, airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Assemble and smother individual burritos just before serving.
- Make Ahead Option: The beef and bean filling and the green chile sauce can both be prepared a day or two in advance. Store them separately in the fridge. When ready to serve, gently reheat both components, warm your tortillas, assemble, and smother! This is a fantastic meal prep strategy for busy evenings.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
These smothered burritos are a meal in themselves, but they pair wonderfully with a side of Mexican rice or a simple green salad for a complete dinner. For a twist, consider these variations:
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef filling or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the green chile sauce for extra heat. You can also use medium or hot canned green chiles.
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the ground beef and double the refried beans, or add a mix of sautéed bell peppers and corn for a hearty vegetarian filling. You could also include black beans for added texture and protein.
- Chicken Smothered Burritos: Substitute the ground beef with shredded cooked chicken for a delicious alternative. This works especially well if you have leftover rotisserie chicken.
- Cheese Lover’s Dream: Beyond cheddar, consider a blend of Monterey Jack, Colby, or even a touch of Cotija cheese within the burrito or on top.
Explore More Delicious Burrito Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with these smothered burritos, you’ll definitely want to try these other fantastic burrito creations:
- Chicken Burrito Recipe with Red and Green Sauce
- Hearty Bean, Sausage, and Beef Burritos
- Unique and Flavorful Frito Pie Burritos
- Delicious Pork Carnitas Burrito Bowl
- Camping-Style Breakfast Burritos for Your Next Adventure
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Smothered Burritos with Green Chile Sauce
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Ingredients
Burritos
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 (16 oz) can refried beans
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 burrito-sized flour tortillas
Green Chile Sauce
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 (4 oz) can chopped green chiles
- additional cheese, shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook for a few minutes, breaking it up as it cooks, until it starts to brown.
- Add in the onion and garlic and continue to cook until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are soft.
- Stir in the chili powder and the cumin, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add in the refried beans and the water. Continue to cook for a couple more minutes, until the beans are heated through and the mixture is hot. Turn off the heat.
- Meanwhile, in another skillet, melt the butter.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, making sure there are no lumps.
- Slowly whisk in the chicken broth. Let it come to a bubble and cook, stirring often, until it starts to thicken.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the sour cream and the green chiles.
- Set the tortillas out on a counter or work surface. Divide the cheese between the tortillas, placing the cheese down the center of the tortilla.
- Take the beef mixture next and divide it evenly between the tortillas, spreading down the center of each tortilla.
- Fold in the ends of the tortilla, then roll each into a burrito.
- To serve, place a burrito on a plate. Add the green Chile sauce over the burrito. Top with additional cheese, if desired, as well as lettuce and tomatoes.
Recipe Notes:
This recipe makes a generous amount of sauce. You may not need all of it for the burritos, but any extra is delicious over other Mexican dishes!
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide. Nutrition information does not include any additional toppings.
Nutrition Information
, Calories: 787 kcal
, Carbohydrates: 68 g
, Protein: 41 g
, Fat: 37 g
, Saturated Fat: 19 g
, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g
, Monounsaturated Fat: 7 g
, Trans Fat: 0 g
, Cholesterol: 138 mg
, Sodium: 1922 mg
, Potassium: 217 mg
, Fiber: 7 g
, Sugar: 6 g