California Burritos
on Aug 22, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Filled with tender steak, creamy guacamole, pico de gallo, cheese, and French fries, this California burrito recipe is unique and has unforgettable flavor!
Every element of this burrito is simply perfect! The flavors all work together to bring you a hearty, filling, and absolutely delicious meal. We love getting all the ingredients ready at the beginning of the week and then having them for a quick lunch throughout the week.
These burritos are giant sized so they might seem overwhelming to make, but you can buy premade guacamole, pico de gallo, and French fries, so you can focus on making that juicy flank steak! We like to switch up the toppings, salsas, and cheeses we use in these burritos to change their flavor profile. No matter what you throw into these burritos, they are sure to be a hit!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The steak is tender and bursting with flavor.
- The burritos are packed full of yummy ingredients that will leave you feeling full and satisfied.
- You can modify the recipe using a variety of toppings, sauces, and cheeses.
- Can be assembled ahead of time for a quick and easy meal.
Recipe Ingredients
- Flank Steak—Cut into strips or small pieces.
- Lime Juice—To help tenderize the steak.
- Olive Oil—Helps keep the steak moist as it marinates.
- Spices—A combination of red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and salt used to season the steak.
- Tortillas—You want it to be large to fit all the ingredients!
- Guacamole—Homemade guacamole or store-bought.
- Pico de Gallo—Or your favorite salsa.
- Cheddar Cheese—You can also use pepper jack, monterey jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
- French Fries—Cooked. Feel free to use your favorite cut of french fry.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make California Burritos
Step #1. f you haven’t already, cook your fries according to the package directions. In a large bowl, combine steak strips, lime juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and salt. Mix with a fork, cover, and marinate in the fridge.
Step #2. Cook the carne asada strips in a pan until they are completely cooked throughout.
Step #3. Place a few strips of carne asada on each flour tortilla followed by French fries, guacamole, pico de gallo, and cheddar cheese.
Step #4. Fold the sides of the tortilla inward and then roll the burrito tightly to prevent any filling from falling out. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
California burritos are known for their giant size and long list of fillings. You should expect a burrito that is almost bursting at the seams. The biggest reason it is unique from a traditional burrito is because it usually does not contain any rice or beans, and instead is filled with french fries! Although it might seem like an odd pairing, the french fries actually work perfectly with the other ingredients in the burrito.
Marinating the steak allows for the flavors to incorporate better and will also leave you with more tender steak after you cook it! This step can really make or break your burrito, so try to not skip it. If you have extra time, you can allow your steak to marinate for longer than 30 minutes. Your steak will absorb more flavor the longer it sits, so you can even let it sit overnight if you want!
Because you are making a California burrito, you are going to need the biggest tortillas you can get! I would stay away from corn tortillas for this recipe since they can break easily, and stick with flour tortillas. The larger the better, the 10 inch tortillas are ideal to give you extra space. This will allow you to pack more into the burritos and roll them up with ease, without anything falling out!
How to Store California Burritos
We like to serve these burritos fresh, so we will assemble the burritos as we go. However, if you have a leftover burrito that is already assembled, it can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can wrap it in tinfoil, or transfer it to an airtight container. Reheat the leftover burrito for 45-60 seconds in the microwave. Otherwise, you can store all of the ingredients separately in the fridge, ready to assemble at any time!
Expert Tips
- To cut down on your prep time, you can pick up some sliced stir fry beef instead of using flank steak, and throw it right into your marinade.
- It is a good idea to warm the flour tortillas slightly before you assemble the burritos to prevent them from ripping. You can heat them up for a few seconds on a pan on the stove.
- You can make this recipe vegetarian by leaving out the steak, or using any kind of meat replacement.
- Add a dollop of sour cream for extra creaminess, or a squeeze of fresh lime for more flavor.
- The longer you allow your steak to marinate, the more flavorful it will become. We recommend allowing your steak to rest for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavor of the spices and lime juice.
More Beef Recipes To Consider
Slow Cooker Recipes
Perfect Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Soups, Stews & Chowders
Slow Cooker Veggie Beef Soup
15-Minute Recipes
Cornbread Waffles with Chili – 15 Minute Dinner Idea
Quick Dinner Ideas
Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
California Burritos
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds flank steak, cut into strips
- ½ cup lime juice
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1-2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 large tortillas
- 1 cup guacamole
- 1 cup pico de gallo
- ¾ cup cheddar cheese
- 2 cups French fries, cooked
Instructions
- If you haven’t already, cook your fries according to the package directions.
- Place your steak strips, lime juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and salt in a large bowl. Use a fork to fold the ingredients together and then cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Allow the steak to marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Cook the carne asada strips in a pan over medium-high heat for about 7 minutes, or until the reach an internal temperature of 165.
- Place a few strips of carne asada on each flour tortilla followed by French fries, guacamole, pico de gallo, and cheddar cheese.
- Fold the sides of the tortilla inward and then roll the burrito tightly to prevent any filling from falling out.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- To cut down on your prep time a little bit, you can pick up some sliced stir fry beef instead of using flank steak.
- Feel free to use your favorite cut of french fry in these burritos.
- The larger the tortilla the better. This will allow you to pack more into the burritos and roll them up without anything falling out.
- In addition to cheddar cheese, you can also use pepper jack, monterey jack, or a mexican cheese blend.
- If you have extra time then you can allow your steak to marinate for longer. The longer the steak marinades the more flavor it will absorb, so if you need to let it sit overnight it will be perfectly fine.
- We like to serve these burritos fresh; however if you have a leftover one then it can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Wrap it in tinfoil or transfer it to an airtight container. Reheat your leftover burrito for 45-60 seconds in the microwave.
