I am a stalwart when it comes to recipes in December. This is the season when having a surplus of quick, healthy meals is a lifesaver. Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean that our main meals should suffer (and I'm not talking about eating cookies for dinner). This black bean burrito is hearty, healthy, and easy, especially if you cook the rice ahead of time. Also, I love having a grill pan/panini press for making items like this black bean burrito, like this grill pan and panini top.
PrintGuacamole and Black Bean Burritos
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
Guacamole
- 2 ripe avocados
- ¼ cup minced red onion (see note)
- ¼ cup minced cilantro
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 lime
Burrito
- 2 large whole wheat flour tortillas
- ½ cup cooked brown rice
- ½ cup cooked black beans, drained and rinsed if using canned
- ⅓ cup shredded Cheddar or Monterey jack cheese
- ½ cup shredded lettuce
- 3 tablespoons minced red onion
Instructions
- To make guacamole, cut avocado in half around the pit and spoon out the avocado into a bowl. Add in the onion, cilantro, garlic, and salt. Cut the lime in half and squeeze 1 to 2 tablespoons of lime juice over the guacamole and stir. Taste and adjust salt and lime juice as needed.
- Spread about ¼ to ⅓ cup guacamole in the center of a tortilla. Layer half the rice, beans, cheese, lettuce, and onions on top of the guacamole. Roll into a burrito (see note) and tuck in the ends.
- Heat a grill pan or panini press over low heat and place the burritos seam side down. Place a weight on top and let cook until tortilla is brown and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Serve with remaining guacamole or salsa.
Notes
Tips & Tricks: I prefer to use red onions in my guacamole as I like the strong flavor of onions. If you're looking for a more subtle onion flavor, try white or sweet onions.
Burritos falling apart? Get help rolling your burrito!
Stock up: get the pantry ingredients you will need: brown rice, dry black beans or canned black beans
Plan ahead: Find this recipe in the Naturally Ella Real Plans upgrade.
Black Bean Burrito
variations
I'm usually unwavering when it comes to changes in this burrito because I'm a guacamole lover. However, there have been a few variations throughout the years that have worked well with what I already have on hand.
Tomatoes: the original recipe called for tomatoes both in the guacamole and in the burrito. However, tomatoes are one of those items I really don't eat during the winter and I don't really add to my guacamole anymore. But, if they're in season, feel free to add them back in if desired.
Vegan: I love that the black bean burrito is heated long enough to make the tortilla crispy and start to melt the cheese but the cheese isn't going to make or break the burrito. This burrito ban be made without cheese to keep it vegan.
Homemade Tortillas: If you have a bit of extra time, try making homemade flour tortillas. I love these Einkorn tortillas or use whole wheat flour in place of the Einkorn (I love this Ivory wheat flour from Bob's Red Mill).
Explore Avocado
Even before I moved to California, avocado played a big part in my diet. Every time we have tacos, enchiladas, or quesadillas, avocados are near. If you happen to pick up a just-ripe avocado or find a soft avocado on your counter, stick it in your refrigerator. The cold slows down the ripening which means the avocado is ready to be used when you need it. Check out other avocado recipes below.
Quinoa Bowl with Za'atar Avocado
Avocado Quesadilla
Avocado Salad with Chickpeas
Published on February 24th, 2010. Last updated on December 15th, 2015.
Mike says
What a nice, quick recipe for what looks like such a flavorful burrito. Props to you for you for taking such a gorgeous picture of a burrito -- that's no easy task.
erin says
Thank you!
Paul says
I never liked tomatoes in the winter until I discovered the Kumato. It's very close to a summer tomato and available year round.
I think you will like them if you try them. Lots of articles noted on google.
Brisbane Baker says
Beautiful photo! Congrats on getting on foodgawker 😀
This looks delicious. *mouth waters*
http://www.brisbanebaker.blogspot.com
Julie says
This looks absolutely amazing. I wish that I had something like this for dinner tonight. Maybe tomorrow! Lovely photo.
Megan says
Yum, this looks so delicious! I love that this is a vegetarian version of a burrito-the black bean + guacamole combo sounds delicious!
Cari says
MmmmM! These look amazing! I'd love to feature them on my site http://www.canigettherecipe.com with full links and credits back to you if you are keen! please let me know ASAP!
Sincerely,
Cari
erin says
Sure!
Cari says
Thanks Erin!
Clarice says
I must try to grill a burrito. Why didn't I think of this before? It looks great.
Christa says
Made these a few weeks ago, but i didn't have a grill pan or panini press so I just used a skillet. The outside was nice and crispy- such a great idea to grill the outside!
Great recipe!
Allison says
I made this for dinner tonight with my roommate and we both LOVED IT! Thanks!!!!!!! :0) :0) :0)
★★★★★
Beth Robeson says
I love it, so simple and so tasty! A great end of summer dish for a cookout.
Thanks,
Beth
Lisa {With Style and Grace} says
Ooh, I have all the ingredients!! must. make. these!
Sonya says
Shout out from San Jose, Costa Rica, we love it here!!! I'll be making this tomorrow!
erin says
Thank you! Eat some fresh avocados for me!
Jeri says
Yummy! Who cares about tradition when the food is good! I've always been one to make meals out of appetizers and so it looked perfect for me. One thing that I loved is the ease of making it. I adore avocados so mine were kind of stuffed with guacamole - to the point it was oozing out, but I didn't mind! Thanks for sharing this!
★★★★★
Lily says
These sound super yummy. And pretty easy to throw together. Thanks for the recipe!
Mandy says
Just wanted to share, I found this recipe on pinterest and LOVE it. I have made it a couple times already and always look forward to it. Thanks!
Anne @strawberryjampackedlife says
This just seems like my excuse to eat more guacamole! 😀 LOVE IT!! What a quick and easy recipe.
Tom Stevens says
I love meat. but I find myself craving less of it and more fresh, simple stuff like beans, rice, salsa. I am also finding I like my guac to be only mashed ripe avacado w/o any of that pkg. mix. Rock on. (You have anything with grilled fish?)
Alexandra says
I have been traveling in SE Asia for 7 months and Mexican Food is what I miss most! My mouth is watering over here!
Collette says
I printed this out to make tonight and it looks like the link to the guacamole is broken. I'll figure something out, but just wanted to let you know (and wanted to know how YOU made guac).
Thanks, it looks like it's going to be good!
erin says
Thanks for letting me know! It's fixed!
Jen says
I just came across this recipe on Pinterest. It looks delicious, and I can' t wait to try it!
Eating as a Path to Yoga says
That looks so delicious, yet easy to make!
stingytraveller says
Yum, looks tasty.
Lily says
This is the first time in forever my husband went CRAZY for something I have made. But really YOU made it for me! Hahahha. Thank you!!
Sofia says
This recipe looks so delicious, and I can't wait to make it. Only problem is my husband is a meat lover, why a married a carnivore while being a vegetarian is still a mystery. I'll have to make a few for him with chicken. Thanks for the idea!
Connie says
Can you provide nutritional information? I know it isn't easy, but I'd be very appreciative of any information you can give. Thank you.
Patti Nissen says
Yumm…I added some feta for fun..truly a hit!!
Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet says
December can be SO stressful. I'm totally with ya — now is definitely the time for quick recipes!! Love this burrito dear!
★★★★★
Emilie @ Emilie Eats says
Nothing better than black beans and guac stuffed in a tortilla. I bet you could make a ton of these and freeze them for easy grab-and-go meals!
Sophie says
I agree with you on the December recipes! Funnily we've had trusty black bean burritos at least three times this month 😛 Too many other things going on to wander too far from trusty favourites!
Amelia says
These look so tasty! Definitely ready for my lunch now!
Nourishing Amelia | Food, Health and Lifestyle Blogger
Deborah @ The Harvest Kitchen says
I have never thought to use a panini press for burritos! Genius!!! Agree about December (busy month) - keeping meals quick, easy and healthy! Beautiful photos as always!!
Phil says
Delicious. I supplemented with sweet potato as well. Another worthy addition is a bit of chipotle sauce mixed with mayo for an spicey flavor. Great healthy holiday treat considering the honey baked hams and chocolate cover almonds I've been snacking on for three days.
Nia says
I have a question. I was wondering If it would be okay to bake the burritos on parchment paper.
★★★★★
erin says
It might take a bit longer but the tortilla should crisp up. Or, you could choose just to heat the tortilla slightly before wrapping and eat it without heating the whole thing.
Naomi says
I absolutely love this meal. I make it every other week, so simple. I'm just here to print it out again for a friend so thought i'd leave a review.
Keep up the tasty work!
★★★★★
Jen says
I just made this for my 2 1/2 year old and myself. He went to eating it straight away and it was super easy to put together! Thank you!!!!
Stephanie says
This looks like such a delicious recipe, will try!