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bean and beef burritos

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If you’re searching for an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love, these Bean and Beef Burritos are about to become a regular on your menu. They’re hearty, packed with protein, customizable, and incredibly simple to make — especially when you use my favorite time-saving tip. It’s the kind of meal that you can order in BUT you’ll never feel as good as you would if you made it at home using simple, wholesome ingredients. If you have leftovers you can easily throw them in a container and make a delicious taco salad for the next day! If you’re already used to making beef burritos, I highly suggest adding some black beans for extra protein AND fibre. I don’t know about you but my 3 year old LOVES beans so adding them in gets her super excited for dinner. Which is a win win situation for everyone!

My Biggest Tip for Stress-Free Bean and Beef Burrito Night

Prep and cook everything ahead of time.

Brown the beef, season the beans, chop the toppings, and store everything in separate containers in the fridge. When dinner rolls around, all you have to do is warm the fillings and assemble. Dinner truly comes together in about 5 minutes — and everyone gets to build their burrito exactly how they like it.

It’s a total win for busy families.

Why These Bean and Beef Burritos Work for Busy Nights

This recipe is:

  • High in protein

  • Budget-friendly

  • Kid-approved

  • Great for meal prep

  • Easy to double

You can even set everything out buffet-style and let everyone build their own. Picky eaters skip the lettuce. Spice lovers add extra salsa. Someone wants extra cheese? Done. It turns dinner into something interactive and stress-free.

These Easy Bean and Beef Burritos are the kind of dependable dinner every busy household needs. Prep once, assemble in minutes, and enjoy a filling, flavorful meal that makes weeknights feel manageable again.

How to effortlessly add more protein to your bean and beef burritos:

  • when cooking your taco meat, add beef bone broth to your beef instead of water
  • add greek yogurt or cottage cheese to your burrito
  • use a high protein tortilla

How To Make bean and beef burritos

The Ingredients

  • 1 lb extra lean ground beef
    The protein-packed base of the burritos. Extra lean keeps it flavorful but not greasy. I like using at least 85% lean beef, then there’s no extra grease to drain!
    Substitutes: Ground turkey, ground chicken, ground bison, plant-based crumbles, or shredded chicken.

  • 1 packet taco seasoning:
    Adds classic taco flavor with cumin, chili powder, garlic, and paprika. Divide between beef and beans for layered flavor. My favorite kind is Siete taco seasoning because the ingredients are on point!
    Substitutes: Homemade taco seasoning (chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt), fajita seasoning, or simple cumin + chili powder + salt.

  • 1/3 cup water or bone broth
    Helps distribute seasoning evenly and keeps the beef juicy. Bone broth adds a small protein boost.
    Substitutes: Chicken broth, beef broth, stock, or water.

  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained & rinsed
    Adds fiber, plant-based protein, and makes the burritos more filling and budget-friendly.
    Substitutes: Pinto beans, refried beans, kidney beans, or omit for lower carbs.

  • 1/2 onion, diced
    Adds savory depth when cooked with the beef.
    Substitutes: Shallots, white onion, green onions, or onion powder in a pinch.

  • 1/2 cup diced tomato or salsa
    Adds moisture and freshness. Salsa boosts flavor with zero extra work.
    Substitutes: Pico de gallo, fire-roasted tomatoes, or additional salsa.

  • 1 cup shredded cheese
    Melts into the warm filling for that classic burrito texture.
    Substitutes: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, pepper jack, reduced-fat cheese, or dairy-free cheese.

  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
    Adds crunch and balances the warm ingredients.
    Substitutes: Shredded cabbage, spinach, romaine, or omit.

  • 4 large tortillas
    Holds everything together and makes it portable.
    Substitutes: Whole wheat tortillas, high-protein wraps, low-carb tortillas, gluten-free tortillas, or turn it into a burrito bowl over rice.

  • Optional toppings: salsa + Greek yogurt or cottage cheese
    Salsa adds flavor and moisture. Greek yogurt or cottage cheese replaces sour cream while adding protein.
    Substitutes: Sour cream, avocado, guacamole, hot sauce, jalapeños, cilantro.

What You Need

The Steps

  • Heat a skillet over medium heat
  • Add a splash of olive oil and add diced onions and tomatoes (or salsa), cook for 5 minutes
  • Add can of black beans (don't drain) and 2 tsp taco seasoning from packet
  • Stir and let simmer for 10 minutes
  • Remove beans and set aside, wipe clean skillet
  • Add ground beef and cook it breaking it apart until no longer pink (option to drain extra grease)
  • Add taco seasoning and water or broth, stir well
  • Reduce heat and let simmer for 5 minutes (or longer) until the liquid is nearly gone
  • Assemble burritos with beans, beef, cheese, lettuce, salsa and yogurt
  • Option to cut in half and eat as is OR throw it on a pan to toast both sides

Recipe Tips

  • I highly recommend prepping the beef and beans, washing and dicing lettuce (or using pre washed shredded lettuce) and prepping all the toppings ahead of time and storing in the fridge in separate containers. Then right before dinner warm up the beef and beans in the microwave and assemble burritos.
  • To prevent your tortilla wrap from ripping, I recommend heating it up in the microwave for 15 seconds. This helps to make it more pliable.
  • If you are short on time, you can just warm up the can of black beans without cooking it with onions and tomatoes (although this adds a nice flavour).
  • To switch things up for the next day, consider building a taco salad in your container for lunch! Start by adding salsa and yogurt to the bottom, then add beans and beef, then cheese and top with lettuce. Follow this layering technique to prevent your lettuce from getting soggy overnight. 

 

bean and beef burritos

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 520

Ingredients

  • 1 lb extra lean ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning divided
  • 1/3 cup water or bone broth for extra protein
  • 1 15 oz can black beans
  • 1/2 an onion diced
  • 1/2 cup diced tomato or salsa
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 4 large tortillas
  • extra toppings: salsa and greek yogurt or cottage cheese

Instructions

  • Heat a skillet over medium heat
  • Add a splash of olive oil and add diced onions and tomatoes (or salsa), cook for 5 minutes
  • Add can of black beans (don't drain) and 2 tsp taco seasoning from packet
  • Stir and let simmer for 10 minutes
  • Remove beans and set aside, wipe clean skillet
  • Add ground beef and cook it breaking it apart until no longer pink (option to drain extra grease)
  • Add taco seasoning and water or broth, stir well
  • Reduce heat and let simmer for 5 minutes (or longer) until the liquid is nearly gone
  • Assemble burritos with beans, beef, cheese, lettuce, salsa and yogurt
  • Option to cut in half and eat as is OR throw it on a pan to toast both sides

Notes

  • I highly recommend prepping the beef and beans, washing and dicing lettuce (or using pre washed shredded lettuce) and prepping all the toppings ahead of time and storing in the fridge in separate containers. Then right before dinner warm up the beef and beans in the microwave and assemble burritos.
  • To prevent your tortilla wrap from ripping, I recommend heating it up in the microwave for 15 seconds. This helps to make it more pliable.
  • If you are short on time, you can just warm up the can of black beans without cooking it with onions and tomatoes (although this adds a nice flavour).
  • To switch things up for the next day, consider building a taco salad in your container for lunch! Start by adding salsa and yogurt to the bottom, then add beans and beef, then cheese and top with lettuce. Follow this layering technique to prevent your lettuce from getting soggy overnight. 

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 40gFat: 20gFiber: 9g

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Recipe creator, toddler mama & wellness enthusiast. Happy&Full is a blog all about quick and easy recipes for every day living! Eating well (and feeling well) doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

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