Burrito is an all-time favorite meal in Mexican cuisine but has become quite popular in America. This yummy all-time favorite meal comes in a variety like poncho burrito, wet burrito, California burrito, and bean and cheese burrito which can, for the most part, be found in well-known Mexican-food restaurants such as Taco Bell and Del Taco.
This yummy filling feast can be eaten at any hour of the day. However, it is possible to purchase excess burritos without having the option to finish them. This implies you are probably going to end up with extras.
You can reheat your burritos without becoming soggy or drying them out. There are a few ways to go about this depending on what you have at your disposal. If you’re not going to eat it right away, then it only makes sense to learn how to store it.
How to store leftover burritos.
Allow them to cool to room temperature and, afterward wrap them in a paper towel, then a layer of foil or plastic wrap. Burritos loaded up with wet things like salsa and sour cream will last 1-2 days before they get excessively soggy. Assuming you’re only using dry fillings, the burritos will last up to 4 days.
Ensure the plastic wrap or foil is airtight to hold the tortilla back from drying out.
How to reheat a burrito
It is possible to buy or make excess burritos without being able to finish them. There are several methods to reheat your burrito without turning it into a soggy mess. However, reheating a burrito can be a tricky task and it’s likely to lose its appeal if it isn’t reheated appropriately.
Using an oven
Although using the oven takes the longest time, this is the best way to reheat this yummy filling meal to retain its texture and give it a perfect crisp while keeping it from turning out in a sloppy mess. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Preheat your oven to 225-350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Retrieve your burrito from the refrigerator and wrap it in aluminum foil. This will keep the tortilla soft, instead of soggy or dry, and will also prevent any toppings that might manage to escape from staining your oven.
- Put the burrito in the oven and leave it for about 30 minutes. In case you don’t want to unwrap the burrito to check if it’s heated all the way through, you can use a meat thermometer.
- Take out the burrito using oven mitts once the 30-minutes timer is up.
- Remove the foil and enjoy!
Timings will differ on the size of your burrito, the fillings, and the kind of oven used. You can pop the burritos into the microwave for 15 seconds if you desire to speed up the process before placing them in the oven, without foil.
Using a microwave
Using a microwave to reheat your burrito is very convenient but not the best choice. The wraps don’t always have the best texture and crispness that comes with the oven. However, using a microwave can still do the job without negatively affecting the overall quality. Here are the steps to follow:
- Remove the foil wrapping (foil and the microwave don’t mix)
- Place the burrito on a microwave-safe plate
- Sprinkle some water over the top. This will help moisten the tortilla.
- Set the timer for 60 seconds
- After that, flip the burrito over to expose the other side. Dampen the other side with a small amount of water.
- Cook that side for another minute.
- Remove the burrito, and using an internal thermometer, check its temperature. Your burrito is ready to eat.
Allow your burrito to sit for about 30 seconds before serving as the trapped steam could burn your mouth while taking your first bite.
Using a skillet
Another convenient method of reheating your burrito is using a skillet, although the burrito size will be a determining factor for the skillet that you choose to use. Here are the steps to follow:
- Heat a little butter or oil in a skillet or use a non-stick skillet on medium heat.
- Place the burrito seam side down into the hot skillet and sprinkle some water around the edges. Adding water creates steam which enables the wraps to be delicate and moist.
- Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and then heat them for 2-3 minutes.
- Flip the burrito over carefully and heat for a further 2-3 minutes.
- Continue to flip them until they are hot.
It is to be noted that medium heat enables the inside of the burrito to heat up nicely before the wrap begins to burn.
Using an air fryer
Reheating with an air fryer will change the flavor of the burrito the most. Not only will you have a crispy outside but also a soft inside. Reheating whole burritos in an air fryer is the best because the tortilla is covering the fillings in general. In any case, it can work for a leftover burrito as well. The uncovered edge of the filling will get crispy.
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 300- 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Put the leftover burrito into the air fryer basket and lightly burst it with cooking oil.
- Air fry for 5-10 minutes. Flip the burrito over and fry for another 1 to 2 minutes or until it’s warm in the middle.
- Remove the burritos and enjoy the perfect crisp.
The air fryer has quite a harsh heat, and the outer can get very hot to touch while the inside is still cold. You’ll know the burrito is heated properly when it’s toasted uniformly and turns golden brownish or you can stick a sharp knife into the middle of the burrito and feel how hot it is when you pull it out. However, when reheating frozen burritos in the air fryer, you can try two methods.
Using a sandwich toaster
This is a helpful device but it will require a little extra effort. This is a great alternative to the microwave that produces fast and tasty results. Here are the steps:
- Preheat the sandwich toaster while wrapping the burrito in parchment paper to protect the wrap.
- Place the burrito inside the sandwich toaster and close it gently, trying not to crunch every one of the fillings out of the burrito.
- Heat for 4-5 minutes.
- Check if the burrito is hot inside and afterward serve.
You can avoid the parchment paper if you don’t mind a roasted taste on the wrap.
Can you reheat a burrito with sour cream?
Absolutely, you can reheat a burrito with sour cream. There are two methods to do this; either reheat the burrito with all the fillings in it or open up the burrito, using a spoon and scoop out the sour cream from the filling. Once you’ve warmed the burrito, just replace all of the salad ingredients and rewrap your burrito. Here’s how to go about that:
- Preheat your oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove the leftover burritos from the fridge and use aluminum foil to wrap them loosely.
- Place the wrapped burritos in your oven for around 30 minutes.
- Take the hot burritos out of the oven using oven mitts.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the heated burritos are warmed all the way through.
- Open up the foil and pour some more sour cream over it.
Can you reheat a burrito with guacamole?
The best way to reheat a burrito with guacamole and other salads is to unwrap the burrito, thereby not tainting the taste. Some ingredients such as the meat and the actual tortilla wrap should be heated. Therefore, the most effective way is to separate them.
Once heated, you can add the guacamole and salad back into the burrito then wrap them carefully. Be rest assured that it will taste as good as new.
However, you can decide to try the other method which is, you reheat the burrito with the guacamole inside. Either method is entirely fine.
What to serve with burritos?
There are many popular sides to pair with burritos without getting bored. Popular ones include chips and salsa, copycat Taco Bell seasoned rice, chopped salad, refried beans, jicama slaw, loaded nachos, cilantro-lime rice, and many others. Pairing any of these side dishes with a burrito is so hearty and satisfying.
How to keep the tortilla soft when reheating a burrito
If you want your burrito to be juicy and succulent, you can microwave it. Try to sprinkle some water on the two sides of the burrito and flip it over while reheating it in the microwave to ensure the even distribution of heat and moisture.
This will ensure that your warmed burrito stays soft without turning excessively soggy. On the other hand, you can reheat it in the oven also, but it will take some additional time.
In conclusion
Reheating your burrito does not have to be a problem. While using the oven is a very convenient method, you can also make use of other methods without your burrito getting soggy or out of the texture.
By following the instructions given above, the result is a hot burrito with a golden crisp tortilla and succulent tender filling.