Quick & Easy Weeknight Ground Beef Burritos

Hey there!  Are you looking for an easy weeknight dinner using ground beef?

Perfect, this recipe has all the crunch and flavor you’re looking for without the hassle.

It’s a simple well seasoned ground beef burrito that is lightly fried until golden brown and topped with all of your favorite fresh ingredients.

Our family regularly enjoys these, but it’s worth mentioning they are good enough to entertain with.

Pair these with fresh chips, salsa/guac and a margarita and you’re on your way to a party!

I’ll spare you with any more commentary and hit you with the recipe directly below.

But to make sure yours turn out to perfection, take a quick peek at the recipe details further below.

Let’s get to it!

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Weeknight Ground Beef Burrito Recipe

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Easy Weeknight Ground Beef Burritos

Ingredients

• 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 16oz can refried beans
• 8 large flour tortillas (burrito sized)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar
• 1/2 Cup Extra Light Olive Oil

Burrito Toppings

• Shredded Lettuce
• Cilantro
• Olives
• Cheese
• Diced Tomatoes
• Jalapenos
• Salsa
• Sour Cream

Instructions

1. In a large saute pan, brown ground beef and diced onion on medium high heat until well caramelized. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Begin assembling burritos by spreading a thin layer of refried beans down the middle of your flour tortillas, leaving room at the ends for folding.

3. Season beans with salt and pepper, and sprinkle cheddar cheese along the top. Finish filling by adding roughly 1/2 cup of ground beef mixture.

4. Fold burritos into a rectangular shape. Begin by folding the two short ends of the burritos in toward the center, and finish by folding in the longer sides together. Place seam side down.

5. In a large electric skillet or stove top pan heat olive oil to roughly 350 degrees, or med/medium high heat. Place burritos seam side down and fry for roughly 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown.

6. Top with desired burrito toppings: shredded lettuce, cilantro, diced tomatoes, olives, cheese, jalapeños, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, hot sauce

Easy Weeknight Ground Beef Burrito Recipe Run Down

Because this recipe only has a few ingredients, they need to be quality.

Start with fresh lean ground beef and a good sized diced onion. 

Sear on medium high heat until well caramelized and golden brown.

The onions should be translucent and the ground beef should be brown with bits of caramelization.

When your ground beef and onion mixture is finished cooking, promptly remove from heat.

Allow your ground beef to cool slightly while you begin assembling your burriots.

This is about as easy as it gets!

Simply spread your favorite canned refried beans along the inside of a tortilla.

I usually season the beans with a little salt and pepper, and then top them with shredded cheddar.

Lastly, you’ll want to pile on a heaping portion of ground beef.

There is a fine art to including plenty of filling, but not overfilling them.

You’ll know when you start to fold them up.

I would estimate roughly 1/2 cup of ground beef or in my case, two heaping serving spoons full.

Finally, you’ll want to fold your burritos for the fryer.

You’ll simply start by folding your shorter ends in first.

Then follow by folding over the longer sides.

Place these little bundles seam side down so that the filling ingredients aren’t tempted to escape!

You’ll want to cook them this way as well.

Start by allowing your oil to heat for a couple minutes so it is up to temperature before you drop in your burritos.

These little guys crisp up quickly, so don’t be tempted to leave them while they are cooking.

In just a couple minutes they will be golden brown and ready to flip.

It’s also worth mentioning, I sometimes like to bake these instead of fry them.

If you’re looking for a healthier option, try brushing them with oil and sprinkling with garlic salt.

You can pop them in the oven at 350 degrees until heated through and crispy, 20-25 minutes should do! 

But let’s be honest, the crisp and crunch fresh out the fryer is hard to beat!

Especially when piled high with a heaping portion of fresh ingredients to help balance out the flavor.

We usually top these burritos with any or all of the following:

• Shredded Lettuce
• Cilantro
• Shredded Cheddar
• Sliced Olives
• Diced Tomatoes
• Sour Cream
• Guacamole
• Salsa
• Jalapeños

Dinner is ready, in less than 30 minutes!

Gotta love that.

For more weeknight dinner ideas, check out this post.

• 30 Easy Weeknight Dinners Everyone Is Raving About

Cheers for now my friends!