Rice Bean Burritos

Featured in: Everyday Family Meals

This dish brings together tender, seasoned rice and warm, hearty beans, layered with fresh veggies and vibrant salsa. Wrapped in soft flour tortillas, each burrito offers a balanced mix of textures and flavors that suit busy lunches or casual dinners. Optional cheese or cilantro add richness and freshness, while simple preparation makes it accessible and quick. Perfect for vegetarian and customizable with plant-based or protein add-ons, these burritos deliver satisfying taste in every handheld bite.

Updated on Wed, 19 Nov 2025 16:37:00 GMT
Steaming rice and seasoned beans make delicious Rice & Bean Burritos, perfect for a filling meal. Save to Pinterest
Steaming rice and seasoned beans make delicious Rice & Bean Burritos, perfect for a filling meal. | recipesbies.com

A cost-effective, portable, and flavorful meal featuring tender rice, hearty beans, and zesty salsa, all wrapped up for easy eating, perfect for lunch on the go or a casual dinner.

These burritos quickly became my go-to option when I needed something filling that didn&t require lots of steps or cleanup. The first time I made them for friends, everyone loved the combo of warm beans, fresh veggies, and salsa tucked inside a soft tortilla.

Ingredients

  • Long-grain rice: 1 cup, uncooked (white or brown)
  • Water: 2 cups
  • Salt: ½ tsp
  • Black beans or pinto beans: 1 (15 oz/425 g) can, drained and rinsed
  • Canned corn kernels: 1 cup, drained (optional)
  • Romaine lettuce: 1 cup, shredded
  • Tomato: 1 medium, diced
  • Red onion: ½ small, finely chopped
  • Salsa: ¾ cup (mild, medium, or hot to taste)
  • Cheddar cheese or vegan cheese: ½ cup, shredded (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro: ¼ cup, chopped (optional)
  • Flour tortillas: 4 large (10-inch/25 cm)

Instructions

Cook the rice:
In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add rice and salt, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes until tender and water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let cool slightly.
Warm the beans:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat the drained beans until just warmed through, about 3–4 minutes.
Prep the fillings:
Prepare lettuce, tomato, onion, and any other desired toppings.
Warm the tortillas:
Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave for 10–15 seconds to make them pliable.
Assemble the burritos:
Lay a tortilla flat. Spoon ¼ cup cooked rice along the center. Top with ¼ of the beans, 2 tbsp corn (if using), lettuce, tomato, onion, 3 tbsp salsa, cheese, and cilantro as desired.
Fold and roll:
Fold in the sides and roll tightly from the bottom to form a burrito. Repeat with remaining tortillas and fillings.
Serve:
Serve immediately, or wrap tightly in foil for a portable meal.
A close-up of a perfectly wrapped Rice & Bean Burrito showing off its flavorful filling, ready to eat. Save to Pinterest
A close-up of a perfectly wrapped Rice & Bean Burrito showing off its flavorful filling, ready to eat. | recipesbies.com

Whenever my family needs a make-ahead lunch, we wrap these burritos in foil and pack them for a day out. They've quickly become a staple for busy school weeks.

Required Tools

Medium saucepan, small saucepan, knife, cutting board, skillet or microwave, and spoon are all you need for easy preparation.

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (flour tortillas) and milk (cheese, if using). For dairy-free, omit cheese or use dairy-free cheese. For gluten-free, select gluten-free tortillas and always check product labels.

Nutritional Information

Each burrito with cheese contains about 375 calories, 7 g total fat, 65 g carbohydrates, and 13 g protein.

Imagine the textures: soft tortilla hugging warm, savory Rice & Bean Burritos with fresh salsa inside. Save to Pinterest
Imagine the textures: soft tortilla hugging warm, savory Rice & Bean Burritos with fresh salsa inside. | recipesbies.com

Burritos are best enjoyed warm but also pack perfectly cold for an easy lunch. Don't forget to personalize with your favorite toppings!

Answers to Recipe Questions

What type of rice works best?

Long-grain white or brown rice provides a fluffy texture that holds well inside the wrap.

How do I prevent the tortillas from tearing?

Warm tortillas briefly in a skillet or microwave to make them pliable before folding.

Can I prepare the filling in advance?

Yes, rice and beans can be cooked ahead and assembled just before serving for freshness.

What are good protein add-ons?

Cooked chicken, ground beef, or tofu can be included for added protein and variety.

How can I make these burritos vegan?

Use plant-based cheese or omit cheese entirely, and choose vegan-friendly salsa options.

Rice Bean Burritos

Tender rice, hearty beans, zesty salsa wrapped tightly in tortillas for a flavorful, portable meal.

Prep duration
15 mins
Time to cook
20 mins
Overall time
35 mins
Published by Sophie Turner


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type Mexican-Inspired

Serves 4 Serving size

Dietary Details No meat included

What you need

Grains

01 1 cup uncooked long-grain white or brown rice
02 2 cups water
03 ½ teaspoon salt

Beans

01 1 (15-ounce) can black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Vegetables

01 1 cup canned corn kernels, drained (optional)
02 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
03 1 medium tomato, diced
04 ½ small red onion, finely chopped

Salsa & Toppings

01 ¾ cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
02 ½ cup shredded cheddar or plant-based cheese (optional)
03 ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Wraps

01 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch)

How to Make It

Step 01

Cook rice: Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add rice and salt, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes until tender and liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let cool slightly.

Step 02

Warm beans: Heat drained beans in a small saucepan over medium heat until warmed through, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 03

Prepare fillings: Shred lettuce, dice tomato, and finely chop red onion. Set aside.

Step 04

Warm tortillas: Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave for 10 to 15 seconds until pliable.

Step 05

Assemble burritos: Place a tortilla flat. Spoon ¼ cup cooked rice down the center. Add ¼ of the beans, 2 tablespoons corn if using, lettuce, tomato, onion, 3 tablespoons salsa, cheese, and cilantro as desired.

Step 06

Roll burritos: Fold in sides and roll tightly from bottom up to enclose fillings. Repeat with remaining tortillas and fillings.

Step 07

Serve: Enjoy immediately or wrap tightly in foil for a portable meal.

Equipment You'll Need

  • Medium saucepan
  • Small saucepan
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Skillet or microwave
  • Spoon

Allergy Details

Review all ingredients for allergens, and reach out to a healthcare pro if unsure.
  • Contains wheat from flour tortillas and milk from cheese if used.
  • For gluten-free option, substitute gluten-free tortillas.
  • For dairy-free, omit cheese or use dairy-free alternatives.

Nutrition info (by portion)

Nutrition info is for guidance. Please consult a medical expert if you need advice.
  • Total Calories: 375
  • Fat content: 7 g
  • Carbohydrate: 65 g
  • Protein content: 13 g