Name: Grilled Bean and Cheese Burrito
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 4 burrito sized flour tortillas; 2 avocados; 15 ounces canned pinto beans, (rinsed and drained); 1/2 cup salsa; 1 cup Monterey jack or cheddar cheese; olive oil (as needed)

These grilled bean and cheese burritos are the ultimate easy vegetarian dinner! Open a can of pinto beans, add some salsa, avocado, and cheese, and grill to perfection. Kid friendly and grown up approved.

image of a grilled bean and cheese burrito on a white plate with sauce in bowl

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Vegetarian burritos are about to get even better because they're homemade and oh so easy!

I think this is a really family friendly, healthy dinner option. You'll get lots of protein and fiber from the beans, and the salsa and avocado give you plenty of veggies.

This recipe also has a great variety in texture. The inside is soft and cheesy while the outside is crisp and flaky.

image of a grilled bean and chees burrito on a white plate with bowl of white sauce

One more bonus - you can easily scale this up or down to suit how many people you're feeding. I will often just make myself one if the family is eating something meaty, or make two so you'll have lunch tomorrow too!

Vegetarian burrito ingredients

image of ingredients for grilled bean and cheese burrito

Large flour tortillas
Avocado
Pinto beans
Salsa
Cheese
Olive oil

How to make a grilled bean and cheese burritos

Preheat a panini press on high and drizzle with a little olive oil.
Lay out one tortilla and smash half an avocado in a thick line through the center.
Layer on pinto beans, salsa, and cheese.
Fold up the bottom, them fold in the sides, and roll the burrito tightly up from the bottom.
Place the wrapped burrito seam side down on the panini press and drizzle the top with a little olive oil.
Close the press and grill 4-6 minutes until hot and crisp.

Top tips and questions

Can I skip the oil?

The oil is technically optional, but will make the burrito more crisp and may help prevent sticking. If you prefer not to cook with oil, you can omit it without substitution.

What kind of cheese goes in burritos?

I like to use either Monterey Jack, Cheddar, or a mix of the two. You can use any shredded cheese that sounds good to you and you have on hand.

image of a grilled bean and cheese burrito open on a wood cutting board

How do you roll a burrito?

To roll a burrito, start by layering the filling in either a large, flat circle that reaches to within 1 ½ inches of the side of the tortilla, or keep the filling mostly in the center of the tortilla along a line, also keeping the edges within 1 ½ inches of the side.

Face the filled tortilla so the filling line is stretching horizontally in front of you, then fold up the bottom about half way. Fold in both sides 1-2 inches, then roll up tightly from the bottom.

Always rest a folded burrito on the seam side to prevent it from unfolding.

What kind of grill press to use for bean and cheese burritos

I love my Cuisinart Griddler (affiliate link) and have been using it for years. I like to use the flat side of the plates when grilling burritos, but it would also work on the side with ridges.

If you're making burritos for a crowd you might want to consider cooking them on a large, electric griddle such as this Presto Griddle that I own and love.

Can I bake or pan fry bean burritos instead?

Baking would make the burritos less flat, but crispy on all sides. I recommend baking them on a baking sheet at 375ºF for 10 minutes.

You can also pan fry this recipe like you would a grilled cheese. Add a little oil to a frying pan, add your burrito, and heat until brown and crisp on both sides, turning once.

close up image of a grilled burrito cut open with a hand pulling it away from the white plate

Do I have to cook it at all?

You're not in the mood for heating anything up. I get that. You could definitely eat this cold without grilling, but I don't think it would taste as good as it does warmed.

If you don't have access to a grill press, oven, or stove, I would recommend just heating it in the microwave until warmed through.

Can I freeze bean and cheese burritos?

You can freeze these burritos. I would recommend leaving out the avocado if freezing, and instead dip in some smashed avocado when ready to serve.

You can freeze these either before or after cooking, just make sure they are cooled before transferring to the freezer. To reheat, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight or microwave until warm. You could also follow the baking directions above to get it crisp again, adjusting the cooking time as necessary if they're still very cold or frozen in the middle.

Tips for customizing

Add rice to make them even more filling
Swap the pinto beans for black beans or vegetarian refried beans
Instead of red salsa, try adding salsa verde, green avocado sauce, mango salsa, or oven roasted corn and black bean salsa
Meat eaters can add chicken or swap it for the beans
Use vegan cheese or leave it out entirely to make dairy free and vegan burritos

More Mexican recipes

image close up of a vegetarian burrito cut open laying on white plate near a bowl of white sauce

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