Burrito
A wheat flour tortilla wrapped around a savory filling, eaten by hand or with sauce
A burrito is a Mexican dish made by wrapping a wheat flour tortilla around a filling, most often meat, beans, rice, cheese, and condiments. Originating in northern Mexico, especially Ciudad Juárez, burritos are eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and are served hot or at room temperature. Variations exist across Mexico and the United States.
- Burritos are most traditional in northern Mexico, especially Ciudad Juárez
- The tortilla is always wheat flour, not corn
- Fillings can include meat, beans, rice, cheese, and vegetables
- Mission-style burritos from San Francisco are large and foil-wrapped
- Burritos are usually eaten by hand, unless served with sauce
What is Burrito?
A burrito is a rolled wheat flour tortilla filled with savory ingredients. The filling often includes meat such as beef, chicken, or pork, along with beans (whole or refried), rice, cheese, and sometimes vegetables like lettuce and tomato. Condiments such as salsa, guacamole, and sour cream are common. The tortilla is wrapped tightly into a cylinder, keeping the contents together. Burritos are usually eaten by hand, but when served covered in sauce ('wet'), they are eaten with utensils.
Where does Burrito come from?
The burrito comes from northern Mexico, especially cities like Ciudad Juárez and regions such as Sonora. Historically, 'burrito' was a regional name for what was called a taco elsewhere in Mexico, with similar foods found in Guanajuato, Guerrero, Michoacán, San Luis Potosí, and Sinaloa. The word means 'little donkey' in Spanish, possibly because of the shape or the idea of carrying many things. The modern burrito, as a distinct dish, developed in the border regions and spread to the United States, where it took on new forms.
How is Burrito made?
To make a burrito, a wheat flour tortilla is lightly grilled or steamed to make it soft and pliable. A filling is placed in the center, which may include cooked meat, beans, rice, cheese, and vegetables. The tortilla is then wrapped around the filling, folding in the ends to form a sealed cylinder. Some burritos are served as is, while others are covered in sauce and baked or served 'wet'.
How and when is Burrito eaten?
Burritos are eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, often as a quick meal from restaurants or roadside stands, especially in northern Mexico. They are usually eaten by hand, thanks to the tight wrapping. When served with sauce, they are eaten with a fork and knife. In Mexico, burritos are most popular in the north, while in central and southern regions, similar foods are called 'tacos de harina'.
Kinds of Burrito
Regional variations include the small, simple burritos of northern Mexico, often with just one or two fillings, and the larger, more complex Mission burrito from San Francisco, which adds rice, beans, sour cream, and guacamole. Other types include the breakfast burrito and the burro percherón from Sonora. Some versions are fried, such as the chivichanga.
What Burrito means
Burritos are a staple of northern Mexican street food and have become a symbol of Mexican cuisine abroad, especially in the United States. They are part of everyday eating rather than tied to festivals or religious occasions. The dish has inspired many regional and international adaptations, and is widely recognized as an example of Mexican-American culinary exchange.
Questions people ask about Burrito
What is a burrito made of?
A burrito is made by wrapping a wheat flour tortilla around a filling, which often includes meat, beans, rice, cheese, vegetables, and condiments like salsa or guacamole.
Where does the burrito come from?
The burrito originated in northern Mexico, especially in cities like Ciudad Juárez and regions such as Sonora, and later spread to the United States.
How is a burrito different from a taco?
A burrito uses a large wheat flour tortilla wrapped around the filling and sealed, while a taco is usually a smaller tortilla, often corn, folded around the filling without sealing.
Are burritos always served hot?
Burritos are typically served hot or at room temperature, depending on the filling and preparation.
What are some common burrito variations?
Variations include the Mission burrito from San Francisco, breakfast burritos, and regional types like the burro percherón from Sonora. Fillings and size can vary widely.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Burrito", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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