Introduction
Hey there! Today, I want to share one of my all-time favorite recipes with you – Loaded Smothered Beef Burritos. These burritos are a delicious combination of tender beef, flavorful spices, and a smoky, savory sauce that will make your taste buds dance with joy. I first discovered this recipe when I was looking for a way to use up some leftover beef, and it has since become a regular in my meal rotation. Trust me, once you try these loaded smothered beef burritos, you’ll be hooked!
Why You’ll Love This
I make this when I want a hearty and satisfying meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor. My family goes crazy for this because it’s like a flavor explosion in every bite. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile – you can customize the fillings and toppings to suit your taste preferences. So, whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just want a cozy dinner for two, these loaded smothered beef burritos are sure to hit the spot.
Ingredients
For the beef filling, you’ll need:
– 1 pound of beef (such as flank steak or sirloin), thinly sliced
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon of chili powder
– 1 teaspoon of cumin
– 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup of beef broth
– 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
For the smoky sauce, you’ll need:
– 1 cup of tomato sauce
– 2 tablespoons of adobo sauce (from canned chipotle peppers)
– 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
– 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
– Salt to taste
For the burritos, you’ll also need:
– Large flour tortillas
– Shredded cheese
– Chopped lettuce
– Diced tomatoes
– Sour cream
– Sliced avocado
– Fresh cilantro
Directions
1. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced beef and cook until browned. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
3. Return the beef to the skillet and add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the beef and onions with the spices.
4. Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture cook for about 20-30 minutes, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.
5. While the beef is simmering, prepare the smoky sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the tomato sauce, adobo sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt. Cook over low heat until the sauce is heated through and the flavors have blended.
6. Once the beef is done cooking, remove it from the heat and use two forks to shred the meat into smaller pieces.
7. To assemble the burritos, warm the flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Spread a spoonful of the smoky sauce onto each tortilla, then add a scoop of the shredded beef, shredded cheese, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, sliced avocado, and fresh cilantro.
8. Fold the sides of the tortilla over the filling, then roll it up tightly to form a burrito.
9. Serve the loaded smothered beef burritos with extra smoky sauce on the side for dipping, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
I’ve found that using flank steak or sirloin for the beef filling gives the best results, but feel free to use your preferred cut of beef. If you like a little extra heat, you can add some chopped chipotle peppers to the smoky sauce. And don’t worry if it looks like there’s a lot of sauce – it will soak into the burrito and make it even more flavorful!
Variations
I’ve experimented with different fillings for these burritos and found that adding sautéed bell peppers and onions gives a delicious extra layer of flavor. You can also try using shredded chicken or pork instead of beef for a different twist. Get creative and make it your own!
Equipment
While not essential, a slow cooker can be a great tool for cooking the beef filling. Simply add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and let it cook on low for 6-8 hours. The meat will be incredibly tender and flavorful. If you don’t have a slow cooker, don’t worry – the stovetop method works just as well!
Storage
These loaded smothered beef burritos can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Though honestly, in my house, they never last more than a day!
Serving Suggestions
I love serving these burritos with a side of Mexican rice and refried beans for a complete meal. You can also serve them with a fresh salad or some homemade guacamole for a refreshing contrast. And if you’re feeling indulgent, a side of crispy tortilla chips and salsa is always a hit!
Pro Tips
When cooking the beef, be patient and let it simmer low and slow. This will ensure that the meat becomes tender and flavorful. I once tried rushing this step and regretted it because the beef wasn’t as tender as it should be.
Don’t be afraid to adjust the spices and seasonings to suit your taste. Everyone’s palate is different, so feel free to add more or less spice depending on your preference.
If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought salsa or a jarred smoky sauce instead of making your own. It’s a great shortcut that still delivers delicious results.
FAQ
Q: Can I make these burritos ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can assemble the burritos and wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, then simply reheat them in the oven or microwave before serving.
Q: Can I freeze the beef filling?
A: Yes, you can freeze the cooked beef filling for up to 3 months. Just make sure to cool it completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Q: Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?
A: Of course! Corn tortillas will give the burritos a more traditional flavor. Just be sure to warm them up before assembling the burritos to prevent them from breaking.
So there you have it – my mouthwatering recipe for loaded smothered beef burritos. I hope you give them a try and enjoy every flavorful bite. Happy cooking!
Loaded Smothered Beef Burritos
Delicious loaded smothered beef burritos filled with tender beef, flavorful spices, and a smoky, savory sauce, wrapped in a warm flour tortilla with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, avocado, and cilantro.
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef (flank steak or sirloin), thinly sliced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from canned chipotle peppers)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt to taste
- Large flour tortillas
- Shredded cheese
- Chopped lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Sliced avocado
- Fresh cilantro
Directions
-
In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add thinly sliced beef and cook until browned. Remove beef from skillet and set aside.
-
In the same skillet, add diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until onion is translucent and fragrant.
-
Return beef to skillet. Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat beef and onions with spices.
-
Pour in beef broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and let mixture cook for about 20-30 minutes until beef is tender and flavors meld.
-
Prepare the smoky sauce by combining tomato sauce, adobo sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt in a saucepan. Cook over low heat until heated through.
-
Shred the cooked beef into smaller pieces.
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To assemble burritos, warm flour tortillas, spread smoky sauce on each, add beef, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, avocado, and cilantro.
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Fold the sides of the tortilla over the filling and roll up tightly.
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Serve loaded smothered beef burritos with extra smoky sauce for dipping.