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Taco Bell Bean Burrito

Taco Bell Bean Burrito
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This copycat recipe recreates the iconic Taco Bell bean burrito with a simple homemade red sauce, creamy refried beans, raw white onion, and melted cheddar. Wrapped in a soft flour tortilla, it delivers the same satisfying flavor and texture as the drive-thru favorite but made fresh in your own kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) refried beans (traditional or pinto, preferably vegetarian)
  • 1/2 cup finely diced white onion (about half a medium onion)
  • 1/2 cup (2 oz) shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend cheese
  • 4 large (10-inch) flour tortillas
  • For the red sauce: 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
  • For the red sauce: 1 tbsp chili powder
  • For the red sauce: 1 tsp ground cumin
  • For the red sauce: 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • For the red sauce: 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • For the red sauce: 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
  • For the red sauce: 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • For the red sauce: 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  1. Make the red sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, and salt. Whisk until smooth. Add 1/4 cup water, stir, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Prepare the bean filling: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add both cans of refried beans and 1/4 cup of the prepared red sauce. Stir to combine. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the beans are hot and the sauce is fully incorporated — the mixture should be steaming and smooth. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.
  3. Warm the tortillas: To make the tortillas pliable for rolling, heat a dry cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place one tortilla in the skillet and cook for 15-20 seconds per side, until lightly blistered and softened. Alternatively, wrap the stack of tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds. Keep warm in a clean kitchen towel.
  4. Assemble the burrito: Lay a warm tortilla on a clean work surface. Spoon about 1/2 cup of the bean mixture onto the center of the tortilla, spreading it into a rectangle shape, leaving a 2-inch border on the sides. This ensures the filling is evenly distributed and easier to roll.
  5. Add the onion and cheese: Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of the finely diced white onion over the beans, followed by about 2 tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese. Avoid overfilling to prevent the burrito from bursting during rolling.
  6. Roll the burrito: Fold the left and right sides of the tortilla over the filling, tucking them in snugly. Then, using your fingers, fold the bottom edge over the filling and roll tightly away from you, keeping the sides tucked in. The burrito should be a neat cylinder with no gaps. Place it seam-side down on a plate.
  7. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, beans, onion, and cheese. You should have four identical burritos.
  8. Serve immediately with additional red sauce and cheese on top if desired. For a warmer, meltier burrito, you can place the assembled burritos on a baking sheet and broil for 1-2 minutes until the cheese starts to bubble, or microwave each for 30 seconds.

Notes

To store, wrap each burrito tightly in aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap individually in plastic wrap then foil and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat from refrigerated: microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or warm in a 350°F / 177°C oven for 10-12 minutes. From frozen: thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat as above. For a vegan version, use vegan refried beans (check for lard), dairy-free cheese shreds, and skip the cheese entirely or use a plant-based alternative. The red sauce is naturally vegan.

Nutrition

Keywords: bean burrito, Taco Bell copycat, Mexican food, vegetarian burrito, refried beans, red enchilada sauce, weeknight dinner, fast food at home, easy burrito, Tex-Mex, bean and cheese burrito, homemade burrito

Find it online: https://copycatkitchenco.com/taco-bell-bean-burrito/