Wet Burritos | Easy And Delicious Smothered Burrito Recipe

Wet burritos are an ultimate comfort food: large, soft tortillas stuffed with flavorful ground beef, refried beans, and rice, all smothered in a rich, savory red sauce and melted cheese. It’s the perfect family-friendly dinner that’ll leave everyone asking for seconds!

Why You’ll Love This Irresistible Bite

• Simple yet satisfying. They are quick to make and loaded with seasoned ground beef, beans, rice, and cheese. The zesty enchilada sauce takes it up a notch!
• Customizable. You can switch up the fillings and sauces to match your preferences. Vegetarian, spicy, or extra cheesy—these smothered burritos can do it all.
• Perfect for leftovers. Wet burritos are great for meal prep. Make them ahead of time, freeze them, and reheat them for a tasty meal later.

Whether you’re searching for a weeknight dinner packed with flavor or simply want something that will feed a crowd, these Wet Burritos are guaranteed to be a tasty bite.

What Are Wet Burritos?

Wet burritos, sometimes called smothered burritos, are large burritos covered in a thick and zesty enchilada-style sauce and baked until the cheese melts.

They’re made with flour tortillas (instead of corn tortillas which are typically used in enchiladas) and stuffed with a filling of seasoned beef, beans, and rice. Top them with enchilada sauce and bake them to perfection, creating a deliciously saucy, cheesy dish.

Why Are They Called Wet Burritos?

This tasty dish is called wet burritos because, well, they’re wet burritos. For this recipe you take all of your favorite burrito ingredients, roll them up tight, place them in a casserole dish, and make them “wet” by adding lots and lots of tangy enchilada sauce.

Ingredients To Grab

Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients you’ll need to make your homemade wet burritos:

• Flour Tortillas– Large tortillas are best for wrapping all the fillings neatly.
• Ground Beef– Seasoned ground beef is the base of the filling. You can also substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
• Refried Beans– These add creaminess and richness to the burrito.
• Rice– Any type of cooked rice will work, but Spanish or Mexican-style rice adds an extra flavor boost.
• Shredded Cheese– Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend works great for that melty goodness.
• Red Enchilada Sauce– The star of the “wet” part! You can use store-bought or make your own.
• Taco Seasoning– A blend of cumin, chili powder, paprika, and garlic powder adds warmth and spice.
• Toppings– Lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and avocado can be used to garnish your wet burritos.

How To Make Wet Burritos

Prepare the filling. Start by browning your ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove any excess grease from the pan. Season the beef with taco seasoning and two tablespoons of water. Stir in the refried beans and cooked rice until everything is well combined.

Warm the tortillas. Warm your flour tortillas to make them easier to roll. You can do this by microwaving them for 20-30 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel or heating them in a dry skillet for a few seconds on each side.

Assemble the burritos. Place a generous amount of the beef, bean, and rice mixture into the center of each tortilla. Sprinkle with shredded cheese, then fold the sides in and roll tightly.

Smother in the sauce and bake. Add a small amount of enchilada sauce in the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking. Then, place the rolled burritos seam-side down in the baking dish. Pour enchilada sauce over the top, making sure the burritos are completely covered. Sprinkle more cheese on top. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bake the burritos for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted.

Serve and enjoy! Once baked, top your wet burritos with any garnishes you like. Try things like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, avocado slices, or diced onion.

Tips And Tricks

• Don’t overstuff your burritos. Too much filling can make them hard to roll and cause them to burst while baking.
• Use warm tortillas. Cold tortillas can crack when rolled, so warming them up makes them more pliable.
• Make it saucy. Don’t skimp on the enchilada sauce! The more sauce you add, the better your wet burrito will be.

Variations

• Vegetarian– Swap the meat for sautéed veggies like bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and mushrooms, and use black or pinto beans for extra protein.
• Chicken– Use shredded rotisserie chicken seasoned with taco spices, or cook up some chicken breasts in a slow cooker with salsa for a tender filling.
• Breakfast– Fill with scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, and cheese, then smother in a queso sauce instead of enchilada sauce.

What To Serve with Wet Burritos

Not sure what to serve alongside your wet burritos? Here are a few ideas to round out the meal:

• Elote Dip– Creamy, tangy elote pairs perfectly with saucy burritos.
• Guacamole and Chips– No burrito night is complete without some guac.
• Spanish Rice– A great side to soak up all that extra sauce.

How Long Do They Last?

If you have leftovers, you can store your wet burritos in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For the best results, reheat your smothered burritos in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. If you’re in a hurry, you can microwave them, but the texture of the tortillas may become soggy or tough.

Can You Freeze Them?

Yes, you can freeze Wet burritos, you just need to plan on it before you assemble the recipe in full. They can be frozen before being covered in sauce and baked. Wrap the burritos individually in foil and freeze them for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw them in the fridge overnight, smother in sauce, and bake them as directed.

More TexMex-Inspired Recipes

• Creamy Mexican Chicken and Rice
• Quesabirria Tacos
• Lazy Enchiladas
• Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• Instant Pot Chicken Enchiladas

If you love this recipe for Wet Burritos as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on social media so they can try it too! Don’t forget to save it so you can make them again next time you need something comforting with a little bit of kick.