“Burrito Verde: A Burst of Freshness and Flavor Wrapped in a Tortilla. Discover the vibrant world of Burrito Verde, where zesty green sauce meets a medley of delicious ingredients, creating a culinary delight that leaves your taste buds tingling. Indulge in this mouthwatering Mexican dish that promises to satisfy your cravings for both hearty and healthy dining options.”
The Best Verde Wet Burrito Recipe
This recipe for Verde Wet Burritos features slow-cooked carnitas with spicy Mexican rice and beans, topped with melted cheddar cheese. It is inspired by the delicious burritos from a small Mexican eatery in southern California. While you can make all the ingredients from scratch, this recipe uses easy-to-source prepared ingredients to save time and effort. The only ingredient that is made from scratch is the carnitas. Leftover carnitas can also be used to make these burritos.
The key to a good burrito lies in the quality of its ingredients. Using high-quality flour tortillas and flavorful rice is essential for a delicious burrito. While finding authentic Mexican ingredients may not always be easy, there are some great store-bought products that still make a tasty burrito. However, if you prefer homemade ingredients, there are recipes provided for refried beans, Spanish rice, and flour tortillas.
The meat used in these wet burritos can be any type you prefer, such as pork, shredded beef, or chicken. Braising the meat in liquid ensures it stays juicy and flavorful. Mixing the rice and refried beans together before adding them to the burrito helps bind the ingredients together and prevents them from falling out when taking a bite.
Ingredients You Need
For the Verde Wet Burrito:
- Slow-cooked carnitas
- Spicy Mexican rice
- Refried beans
- Melted cheddar cheese
- Flour tortillas (10″ size)
- Verde enchilada sauce
- Guacamole and corn chips for serving
For Homemade Refried Beans:
- Pinto beans
- Bacon or vegetable oil for frying
- Onion, garlic, and spices for flavoring
For Spanish Rice:
- Mexican or Spanish rice mix (such as Zatarain’s)
- Water or chicken broth for cooking the rice
- Diced tomatoes, onions, and spices for flavoring
Note: You can also make your own carnitas using a pork shoulder and your favorite seasonings.
How to Make Mexican Wet Burritos
To make Mexican wet burritos, start by preparing the meat of your choice. You can use pork, shredded beef, or chicken. Braise the meat in liquid to ensure it stays juicy and flavorful. Dry meat will result in a dry burrito.
Mix together Mexican or Spanish rice and refried beans. This step is important as it prevents the rice from being too dry and helps bind the ingredients together. Spoon a few spoonfuls of the rice and bean mixture onto a warm flour tortilla.
Add a generous amount of shredded meat on top of the rice and beans, then sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Be careful not to overstuff the burrito to ensure easy rolling.
Fold in the sides of the tortilla and roll it tightly to create a closed burrito. Place the burritos seam-side down in a baking dish.
Pour half of your chosen verde enchilada sauce into the baking dish, then add the remaining sauce on top of the burritos. Bake at 375F for 10 minutes until heated through.
Remove from oven and top with more shredded cheese. Return to oven for an additional 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve your Mexican wet burritos with guacamole and corn chips for a complete meal experience.
Tips & Notes
1. A wet burrito is served with enchilada sauce poured over the top and must be eaten with a fork, while a regular burrito can be eaten with your hands.
2. A wet burrito is made with large flour tortillas and wrapped so that they are fully closed, while an enchilada is made from corn tortillas and rolled with both ends left open.
3. To make the best wet burrito, use high-quality Mexican ingredients such as authentic carnitas, spicy Mexican rice, and beans.
4. If you don’t have the time or patience to make all of the ingredients from scratch, you can easily find prepared ingredients at the store that still make a delicious burrito.
5. Mixing the rice and refried beans together before adding them to the burrito helps bind the ingredients together better and prevents them from falling out when you take a bite.
6. Braise the meat you’ll be using in liquid to ensure it cooks in moisture and turns out tender and juicy.
7. For added flavor, season your meat well before cooking it for your wet burrito.
8. Warm your flour tortillas before assembling your wet burrito to make them more pliable and easier to roll.
9. Use white cheddar cheese or Monterrey Jack cheese for this recipe, as they pair well with verde enchilada sauce.
10. If you want to make these wet burritos ahead of time, you can roll them up and refrigerate them until ready to cook. Add the sauce just before cooking.
11. You can also freeze these wet burritos for future meals, but it’s always best to cook them just before eating rather than reheating.
12. Serve your wet burritos with guacamole and corn chips for a complete Mexican meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between a wet burrito and an enchilada?
A wet burrito is served with enchilada sauce poured over the top and must be eaten with a fork. A regular burrito can be eaten with your hands.
2. Can I make my own ingredients for this wet burrito?
Absolutely! The recipe provides links to homemade recipes for refried beans, Spanish rice, and flour tortillas if you prefer to make everything from scratch.
3. Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?
Yes, you can use any type of meat you wish. The recipe suggests using pork carnitas, but shredded beef or chicken would work as well.
4. Can I use different types of cheese?
The recipe recommends using white cheddar cheese, but Monterrey Jack cheese would also work. Feel free to use your favorite cheese.
5. Can I make these burritos ahead of time?
If you want to make these burritos ahead, you can roll the burrito and put it in the refrigerator, then add the sauce just before cooking. You can also freeze the burritos to take out anytime you want one.
6. Where can I find high-quality Mexican ingredients?
The recipe suggests using store-bought products that have been personally tested and recommended for making delicious burritos. However, if you prefer to make your own ingredients, there are homemade recipes provided in the links.
7. How long should I bake the burritos?
Bake the assembled burritos for 10 minutes at 375F, then top them with shredded cheese and return them to the oven for 3-5 more minutes until the cheese has melted.
8. Can I add more verde sauce?
Once you put the burritos on the plate, you can add more verde sauce if you wish. Serve them with guacamole and corn chips for a complete Mexican meal.
What does it mean for a burrito to be wet?
A wet burrito refers to a burrito that is covered in sauce, usually enchilada sauce or a salsa verde. The sauce is poured over the top of the burrito, giving it a “wet” or saucy texture. This differs from a regular burrito, which is not typically covered in sauce and can be eaten with your hands.
The addition of sauce to a burrito adds extra flavor and moisture to the dish. It also helps bind the ingredients together, preventing them from falling out when you take a bite. In the case of a wet burrito, the sauce is an integral part of the overall flavor profile and texture.
To make a wet burrito, you can use any type of meat or filling that you prefer. Popular choices include shredded pork (carnitas), shredded beef, or chicken. The meat is typically braised or cooked in liquid to ensure it remains juicy and tender.
In addition to the meat, other common ingredients found in wet burritos include Mexican rice, refried beans, and cheese. These components are often mixed together before being added to the tortilla to create a cohesive filling.
Once assembled, the wet burrito is then baked in the oven for a short period of time until heated through and the cheese has melted. It can be served with additional sauce on top and accompanied by guacamole and corn chips for a complete Mexican meal.
Overall, the key difference between a wet burrito and an enchilada lies in their preparation and presentation. A wet burrito is rolled up like a traditional burrito but covered in sauce before baking, while an enchilada is made by rolling filling inside corn tortillas without being covered in sauce before baking.
What is the difference between a wet burrito and an enchilada?
A wet burrito is served with enchilada sauce poured over the top and must be eaten with a fork. A regular burrito can be eaten with your hands. A wet burrito is made with large flour tortillas and wrapped so that they are fully closed while an enchilada is made from corn tortillas and rolled with both ends left open.
In conclusion, the burrito verde is a delicious and flavorful Mexican dish that combines tender meat or vegetables with a vibrant green sauce. With its fresh ingredients and bold flavors, this dish is sure to satisfy any craving for authentic Mexican cuisine. Whether enjoyed as a quick and convenient meal or as part of a festive gathering, the burrito verde is a must-try for food enthusiasts looking to add some spice to their culinary adventures.
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