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Food & Recipes

Top Chef’s Easy Trick for Reheating Burritos So They’re Crispy, Not Soggy

Here's why a 'Top Chef' alum swears by the oven method for best results

We think of burritos as an all-in-one dish since they’re hearty, delicious and so cheap to make. And sometimes they’re so hearty, we can’t finish one in a single sitting. Trouble is, reheating burritos too often turns them into a big mushy mess. That’s why we tapped a pro chef who’s also a burrito connoisseur the best trick for heating up this beloved food. Keep reading for our guide on how to reheat a burrito.

The kind of ingredients in burritos

Burritos are a popular Mexican dish consisting of a flour tortilla that’s filled with meat, rice beans and/or cooked vegetables as a base. From there, additional ingredients like cheese, shredded lettuce, guacamole or sour cream are piled on before the burrito is wrapped. Toasting the assembled burrito is an optional step that makes the tortilla crunchy and melts the cheese inside. Whether made in a restaurant or at home, burritos are a filling treat packed with zesty and savory flavors. This is why they’re tasty to enjoy freshly made and can be reheated to delicious perfection in the oven!

Why the oven works best for reheating burritos

If you ask Katsuji Tanabe, a Top Chef alum and executive chef of the Mexican restaurant Barrio, what the best way to reheat a burrito is, you’ll definitely hear “the oven.” The reason: He says the oven evenly heats a thick burrito so it’s hot and crispy, not soggy. While this process takes longer than microwaving it, you won’t end up with a burrito that falls apart upon the first bite. A low oven temperature like 225°F is also key for gradually warming up the wrap without it burning.

Can you reheat a burrito with cold ingredients?

For a burrito full of cold ingredients like salsa and sour cream, Tanabe notes you can reheat it as is. Once warmed, you can serve extra amounts of those ingredients on the side and savor that delicious burrito again!

How to reheat a burrito in the oven

To reheat your burrito in the oven easily, follow these five steps from Tanabe.

  1. Preheat your oven to 225°F. 
  2. Loosely wrap the burrito in foil and place on a small baking sheet.
  3. Cook burrito in oven for about 30 minutes, until it’s heated all the way through. (Note: The burrito is ready to eat when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.)
  4. Unwrap the foil and enjoy!

A burrito recipe worth reheating

These tips will come in handy the next time you want to make burritos for dinner. Below, you can find our test kitchen’s recipe for Turkey and Veggie Packets — which are filled, wrapped and cooked in a skillet until the outside is crunchy.

Turkey and Veggie Packets

A recipe for Turkey and Veggie Packets as part of a guide on how to reheat a burrito
S Studio/Getty

Cumin and chili give the turkey and veggies a smoky kick, while the fresh cilantro and lime add brightness.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbs. olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb. ground turkey
  • 2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 1 zucchini, grated, squeezed dry
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro + additional leaves
  • 1 Tbs. lime juice
  • 1 tsp. grated lime zest
  • 6 burrito-size flour tortillas
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Lime wedges and sour cream (optional)

Directions:

  • Active: 30 mins
  • Total time: 30 mins
  • Yield: 6 servings
  1. In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat; add onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 7 to 8 minutes. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds. Add ground turkey, cumin, chili powder and salt; cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up meat, until turkey is no longer pink, 8 to 10 minutes. Add red pepper; cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 min. Add zucchini; cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in ⅓ cup cilantro, lime juice and lime zest.
  2. Spoon turkey mixture over ⅓ of each tortilla, leaving 2-inch border around side. Top with cheese. Fold side over filling; roll up to enclose. Place, seam side down, on surface; flatten. Coat skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-low heat. In batches, cook packets, flipping once, until golden and heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. per side. If desired, serve with lime and sour cream; top with cilantro.

Continue reading for more tips on reheating dishes!

Reheating Pizza: The Skillet Trick So Good You’ll Never Use An Oven Again

This Simple Hack for Reheating Pasta Will Make It Just as Delicious as Night One

Genius Trick Reheats Roasted Veggies So They’re as Crispy as When You Made Them

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