Steaming Burritos: The Perfect Guide To Flavorful Cooking

Burritos are a delicious and convenient meal, perfect for a quick dinner or to stash in the freezer for later. But how do you get that perfect, soft tortilla wrap? The secret is in the steam.

Steaming tortillas is a great way to make them pliable and easy to roll and fold without cracking or falling apart. You can use a microwave, vegetable steamer, rice steamer, or even just a pot of boiling water and a plate.

If using a microwave, simply place a damp paper towel on a plate, then lay a tortilla on top. Alternate layers of damp towels and tortillas, finishing with another damp towel on top. Microwave for one minute, then check if they are warm enough. If not, microwave for another minute.

For the stove-top method, you can use a vegetable steamer basket or a pie tin with holes poked through it. Place the tortillas in the steamer or on the pie tin over a pot of boiling water, cover, and steam for 20-30 seconds.

Now that you know how to steam your tortillas, you're well on your way to making delicious burritos at home!

How to steam tortillas in the microwave

Steaming tortillas in the microwave is a quick and easy way to prepare them for your burritos. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Tortillas

Lay a damp paper towel on a microwave-safe plate. Place a tortilla on the towel and top it with another damp towel. Repeat this process, alternating layers of tortillas and damp towels, until you have a stack of 6 tortillas. Finish with a final damp towel on top. This method helps to steam the tortillas and prevent them from drying out.

Step 2: Microwave the Tortillas

Place the stack of tortillas in the microwave. Microwave on high power for 1 minute. Check if the tortillas are warm enough by touching them carefully. If not, continue microwaving for another minute. The total microwaving time will depend on the power of your microwave and your desired softness.

Step 3: Serve the Tortillas

Once the tortillas are warm and pliable, remove them from the microwave. Carefully separate the tortillas and place them in a tortilla warmer or wrap them in foil to retain the heat. Serve immediately while they are still warm and soft.

Tips:

• You can also use a vegetable steamer basket or a small rice steamer to steam tortillas on the stove.
• If you don't have a tortilla warmer, you can find them in most department stores or online. They are great for keeping tortillas warm and fresh.
• Experiment with different types of tortillas, such as flour tortillas or corn tortillas, to find your preferred variety.

How to steam tortillas on the stove

Steaming tortillas on the stove is an effective way to make them soft and pliable, perfect for rolling into burritos. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this:

Step 1: Prepare the Tortillas and Stove

Firstly, you will need a stove with a burner, a pot or pan that can be placed on the burner, and a rack or basket that can be placed inside the pot or pan. You can use a vegetable steamer basket or a cookie cooling rack. Make sure you have a lid that fits the pot or pan.

Step 2: Set Up the Steamer

Place the rack or basket inside the pot or pan. Pour a small amount of water into the pot or pan, ensuring that the water level is below the rack so that it does not touch the tortillas. You only need enough water to create steam.

Step 3: Prepare the Tortillas

Take your tortillas and place them on the rack or basket. You can steam multiple tortillas at once, but do not overcrowd them. Six tortillas at a time is a good number.

Step 4: Steam the Tortillas

Turn the burner to high heat and wait for the water to start boiling. Cover the pot or pan with the lid. Allow the tortillas to steam for 20 to 30 seconds. The steam will introduce moisture into the tortillas, making them soft and pliable.

Step 5: Remove from Heat and Serve

After steaming, turn off the burner and carefully remove the lid. Using tongs or heat-resistant gloves, take the tortillas out of the pot or pan. Your tortillas are now ready to be used for burritos or other dishes.

Tips and Variations:

• If you do not have a rack or basket, an alternative method is to poke holes in an old pie tin and place the tortillas on top. This can then be placed over a pot of boiling water to steam the tortillas.
• You can also use a damp paper towel to steam tortillas in the microwave. Place a damp paper towel on a plate, then alternate layers of tortillas and damp paper towels, ending with a damp paper towel on top. Microwave this stack for one minute, then check if the tortillas are warm enough. If not, microwave for another minute.
• For a larger batch, you can wrap tortillas in tin foil and place them in an oven preheated to 350°F for 15-20 minutes.

How to prepare and fill burritos

Preparing and filling burritos is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to keep in mind. Here's a detailed guide to help you make delicious burritos:

Choose Your Tortillas and Fillings:

Select 8- to 10-inch flour tortillas for burritos. You can use regular flour tortillas or go for a softer variety, such as the "burrito size" tortillas from brands like Mission. This size is ideal as it provides enough space to fold and roll the burrito. For the fillings, the options are endless, but here are some popular choices:

• Mexican rice (white or brown) or flavoured rice like Mexican green rice or Mexican red rice
• Beans: black beans, pinto beans, or refried beans
• Meat: shredded chicken, shredded pork, steak, or ground beef with taco seasoning
• Vegetables: chopped onions, sautéed onions and peppers, sliced avocado or guacamole, corn, diced tomatoes, lettuce, or cabbage (instead of lettuce if freezing)
• Cheese: shredded cheese, preferably the melting kind
• Sauces and spices: salsa, sour cream, Mexican crema, red chile sauce, homemade taco seasoning, or guacamole

Prepare the Tortillas:

Before filling the burritos, it's essential to prepare the tortillas to make them pliable and easier to fold and roll. Here's a simple method:

• Place the tortillas in a stack and splash a few drops of water on them.
• Wrap the stack tightly in foil.
• Bake in an oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until heated through and pliable.

Fill and Roll the Burritos:

Now it's time for the fun part – filling and rolling your burritos! Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Spoon your desired fillings onto each flour tortilla just below the centre. Be careful not to overload the tortilla with too much filling, as it still needs to be folded and rolled. A good rule of thumb is to use no more than 1½ cups of filling for a 10-inch tortilla.
• Start by folding the bottom edge of the tortilla up and over the filling.
• Next, fold the opposite sides of the tortilla in, enclosing the filling.
• Finally, roll up the burrito from the bottom towards the top. You can secure it with toothpicks if needed.

Bake or Fry the Burritos (Optional):

At this point, your burritos are ready to eat. However, if you want to make the outside crispier and heat the fillings, you can bake or fry them. Here are two methods:

• Baking: Place the burritos on a baking sheet, seam sides down. Bake in an oven at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes or until heated through.
• Stovetop: Lightly oil a large skillet or griddle and heat it over medium heat. Place the burritos, seam side down, and cook for 2 to 4 minutes, turning once, until browned on both sides.

Toppings and Serving:

Burritos are best served with toppings and sauces. You can add guacamole, lettuce, red chile sauce, salsa, sour cream, Mexican crema, or other toppings of your choice. If you're serving a group, you can set up a burrito bar and let everyone customise their burritos with their desired toppings.

How to fold a burrito

The key to a well-folded burrito is to make sure that it is rolled up tightly, with no gaps for the filling to escape. Here is a step-by-step guide to folding a burrito:

Step 1: Prepare your fillings

Before you start to fold, make sure that your fillings are ready to go. Burrito fillings can include Mexican rice, beans, meat (such as shredded chicken, pulled pork, or steak), vegetables (like peppers, onions, or avocado), cheese, and salsa. It is important to avoid adding too much filling, as this can make the burrito difficult to roll and increase the risk of it falling apart. A good rule of thumb is to use no more than 1 1/2 cups of filling for a 10-inch tortilla.

Step 2: Place the fillings

Place your tortilla on a flat surface and spoon the fillings onto the tortilla just below the centre line. This will ensure that there is enough space to fold the sides of the tortilla over the filling.

Step 3: Start rolling

Begin by folding the bottom edge of the tortilla up and over the filling. This will create a pocket for the fillings and form the base of your burrito.

Step 4: Tuck in the sides

Take the left and right sides of the tortilla and fold them in towards the centre, overlapping the filling. This will start to enclose the fillings and give your burrito its iconic shape.

Step 5: Roll it up

From the bottom, start to roll the tortilla up and over the fillings. Continue rolling until you have a tight cylinder. If needed, you can secure the burrito with a couple of toothpicks to hold it together.

Step 6: Heat and serve (optional)

At this point, you can choose to heat your burrito to make the tortilla crispier and heat the fillings through. This step is optional, especially if your fillings are already hot. You can bake the burrito in the oven or cook it on a stovetop. Finally, top your burrito with your favourite garnishes, such as guacamole, salsa, or sour cream, and enjoy!

How to heat a burrito

Using a Microwave

Microwaving a burrito is a quick and easy way to enjoy a hearty and fulfilling meal. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Prep your burrito: Take it out of the packaging, removing any excess plastic or foil. This ensures even heating and prevents fire hazards.
• Choose a suitable microwave-safe dish: Use a plate or bowl that is large enough to accommodate your burrito without it hanging over the edges, which can lead to uneven cooking.
• Cover the dish: Use microwave-safe plastic wrap or a cover to seal in the heat and prevent the burrito from drying out. This also helps to create a steaming effect.
• Determine cooking time: As a general rule, start with 1 minute of microwaving time per ounce of burrito weight if your microwave is between 900-1000 watts. For less powerful microwaves, aim for 1.5-2 minutes per ounce. Always refer to the instructions on the packaging for accurate cooking times.
• Enjoy: After microwaving, let the burrito rest for a minute or two before unwrapping to allow the heat to distribute evenly. Then, enjoy your delicious, hot burrito!

Using an Oven

If you prefer to use an oven instead of a microwave, here's a simple recipe for cheesy baked burritos:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• Heat some extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft.
• Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
• Add shredded rotisserie chicken and enchilada sauce, tossing until the chicken is fully coated.
• Stir in lime juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Assemble the burritos: On a tortilla, add rice, beans, and the chicken mixture. Top with shredded cheese.
• Roll the burritos tightly and place them in a large casserole dish.
• Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the burritos and sprinkle with extra cheese.
• Bake until the cheese is melted, about 15 minutes.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with sour cream and hot sauce, if desired.

Using a Steamer

Steaming your burrito can help keep the tortilla soft and flexible, and is a great option if you're looking for a different cooking method. Here's how to do it:

• Gather your tools: You'll need a steamer basket or a large pot with a heatproof colander that fits securely on top.
• Fill the pot with a few inches of water, ensuring it doesn't touch the bottom of the colander or steamer basket.
• Place the colander or steamer basket on top of the pot.
• Bring the water to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
• Arrange your burritos in a single layer on the colander or steamer basket.
• Cover with a lid to trap the steam.
• Steam for 1-2 minutes until the burritos are soft and pliable.
• Remove the burritos from the steamer using tongs or a spatula.

Frequently asked questions