Freezer-Friendly Hearty Burritos

Featured in: Weeknight Dinners

These hearty burritos combine beans, rice, and cheese with sautéed bell pepper and onion for a flavorful filling. Easily prepared and wrapped in large flour tortillas, they freeze well and can be reheated directly from frozen. Ideal for meal prepping, this dish offers flexibility to add meats or extra veggies. Seasoned with cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika, each burrito delivers balanced taste with simple ingredients.

Updated on Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:04:00 GMT
Warm, savory freezer-friendly burritos, layered with beans, cheese, and veggies, ready to enjoy. Pin
Warm, savory freezer-friendly burritos, layered with beans, cheese, and veggies, ready to enjoy. | grillandbites.com

Hearty, delicious burritos packed with budget-friendly ingredients, perfect for meal prep and ready to heat up straight from the freezer.

I started making these burritos when our family needed a portable, nutritious meal option for busy school and work weeks. Preparing a batch ahead always helps us save time without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients

  • Large flour tortillas (10-inch): 8 pieces
  • Cooked white or brown rice: 2 cups
  • Black beans (drained and rinsed): 1 (15 oz/425 g) can
  • Frozen corn (thawed): 1 cup
  • Red bell pepper (diced): 1
  • Small onion (diced): 1
  • Garlic (minced): 2 cloves
  • Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese: 1½ cups
  • Salsa (mild or medium): ¾ cup
  • Olive oil: 1 tbsp
  • Cumin: 1 tsp
  • Chili powder: 1 tsp
  • Smoked paprika: ½ tsp
  • Salt: ½ tsp
  • Black pepper: ¼ tsp

Instructions

Sauté vegetables:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper. Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
Add filling ingredients:
Stir in black beans, corn, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes until heated through. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Prepare tortillas:
Warm tortillas briefly in the microwave (covered with a damp towel) to make them pliable.
Assemble burritos:
Spread ¼ cup cooked rice in the center of each tortilla. Top with ⅓ cup bean mixture, 2 tbsp salsa, and 2 tbsp cheese. Fold in sides and roll up tightly from the bottom.
Freeze burritos:
Wrap each burrito tightly in foil or parchment, then place in a labeled freezer bag.
Reheat:
Unwrap and microwave on a plate for 2–3 minutes (turning halfway), or bake wrapped in foil at 180°C/350°F for 25–30 minutes until piping hot.
A delicious close-up of fully-packed freezer-friendly burritos wrapped and ready to freeze for later. Pin
A delicious close-up of fully-packed freezer-friendly burritos wrapped and ready to freeze for later. | grillandbites.com

On weekends, my kids help assemble these burritos, and it's become a fun tradition. Everyone personalizes their burrito, then we freeze extras for easy lunchbox fixes.

Required Tools

Large skillet, mixing spoon, measuring cups and spoons, microwave or oven, foil or parchment paper, freezer bags

Allergen Information

Contains wheat in tortillas and dairy in cheese. Use gluten-free tortillas and dairy-free cheese to accommodate allergies. Always check product labels for hidden allergens.

Nutritional Information

Each burrito has 350 calories, 10 g total fat, 52 g carbohydrates, and 12 g protein, making it balanced and satisfying for any meal.

Steaming plate with a freezer-friendly burrito, filled with rice, beans, and fresh salsa flavors. Pin
Steaming plate with a freezer-friendly burrito, filled with rice, beans, and fresh salsa flavors. | grillandbites.com

Make a big batch and enjoy fuss-free, flavorful meals from your freezer- perfect for busy weekdays or cozy evenings in.

Recipe FAQ

Can these burritos be warmed from frozen?

Yes, burritos can be microwaved for 2-3 minutes or baked at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until hot throughout.

What variations can I add to this filling?

Adding cooked shredded chicken, ground beef, or turkey can provide a meat option. Sautéed zucchini or jalapeños also complement the filling nicely.

Are there gluten-free options for the tortillas?

Gluten-free large flour tortillas can be used instead of regular ones to accommodate gluten sensitivities.

How do I prepare the filling for freezing?

Sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic, then mix in beans, corn, spices, and cook through before assembling burritos for freezing.

What toppings pair well after reheating?

Sour cream, guacamole, and extra salsa add freshness and flavor when served alongside these burritos.

Freezer-Friendly Hearty Burritos

Delicious burritos with beans, rice, and cheese, perfect for easy meal prep and freezer storage.

Prep duration
20 min
Cook duration
25 min
Overall duration
45 min


Skill level Easy

Heritage Mexican-American

Output 8 Portions

Dietary requirements Vegetarian

Components

Base

01 8 large flour tortillas (10-inch)
02 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
03 1 can black beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
04 1 cup frozen corn, thawed

Vegetables

01 1 red bell pepper, diced
02 1 small onion, diced
03 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cheese & Extras

01 1½ cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
02 ¾ cup salsa (mild or medium)

Spices

01 1 tbsp olive oil
02 1 tsp ground cumin
03 1 tsp chili powder
04 ½ tsp smoked paprika
05 ½ tsp salt
06 ¼ tsp black pepper

Directions

Phase 01

Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper; sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.

Phase 02

Combine beans and spices: Stir in black beans, corn, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until heated through. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Phase 03

Warm tortillas: Briefly warm tortillas in the microwave covered with a damp towel to make them pliable.

Phase 04

Assemble burritos: Place ¼ cup cooked rice in the center of each tortilla. Top with ⅓ cup bean and vegetable mixture, 2 tablespoons salsa, and 2 tablespoons shredded cheese. Fold in sides and roll up tightly from the bottom.

Phase 05

Wrap for freezing: Wrap each burrito tightly in foil or parchment paper. Place wrapped burritos in a labeled freezer bag.

Phase 06

Reheat from frozen: Unwrap burrito and microwave on a plate for 2 to 3 minutes, turning halfway through, or bake wrapped in foil at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes until heated through.

Tools needed

  • Large skillet
  • Mixing spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Microwave or oven
  • Foil or parchment paper
  • Freezer bags

Allergy details

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult healthcare providers if you're uncertain about any components.
  • Contains wheat (tortillas) and milk (cheese). Gluten-free option available with gluten-free tortillas. Verify labels for hidden allergens.

Nutrition breakdown (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 350
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Protein: 12 g