Fast foods, burrito, with beans and beef
Whole food · Fast Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
A classic fast-food staple, the bean and beef burrito is a warm, soft flour tortilla wrapped around a hearty filling of seasoned ground beef, savory refried or whole beans, and often a blend of melted cheese. Each bite offers a satisfying contrast between the tender, slightly chewy tortilla and the rich, savory, and sometimes spicy filling. Nutritionally, it provides a solid protein punch (11.5g per 100g) and a good source of dietary fiber (3g per 100g) from the beans.
Calorie split: 24% protein · 41% carbs · 35% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for the perfect handheld comfort food experience—the satisfying blend of savory, spiced meat, creamy beans, and melted cheese all wrapped in a warm tortilla. Its versatility is key; it can be customized with salsas, guacamole, or sour cream to suit any taste.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The flour tortilla and cheese can make it high in refined carbs and saturated fat, potentially leading to blood sugar spikes or sluggishness. It's also often high in sodium from seasoning and cheese. To counteract, pair it with a side salad or extra veggies for fiber, choose a half-portion, or opt for a bowl version without the tortilla to reduce refined carbs.
Key benefits
- Good source of complete protein from beef and beans.
- Provides dietary fiber for digestive health and satiety.
- Contains iron and B vitamins from the beef.
- Beans offer plant-based nutrients and resistant starch.
- A calorie-dense, portable meal for energy.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The word 'burrito' in Spanish can mean 'little donkey,' possibly referring to the way the packed tortilla resembles a donkey's pack or ear.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 60.0 g |
| Energy | 191 kcal |
| Energy | 801 kj |
| Protein | 11.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 7.5 g |
| Ash | 1.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 19.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 3.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.2 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 90.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.9 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 25.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 163 mg |
| Potassium, K | 269 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 570 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.0 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.11 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.25 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 12.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.9 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.17 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.12 mg |
| Niacin | 2.2 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.31 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.20 mg |
| Folate, total | 73.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 24.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 48.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 90.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 31.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.68 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 17.0 ug |
| Retinol | 16.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 16.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 79.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 638 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 4.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.45 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 3.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 2.4 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 1.8 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.9 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.29 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.5 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.79 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.3 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.21 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.9 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.58 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.47 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 26.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Fast foods, miniature cinnamon rolls — USDA does not publish this profile for Fast foods.
| Tryptophan | 0.05 g |
| Threonine | 0.22 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.28 g |
| Leucine | 0.51 g |
| Lysine | 0.18 g |
| Methionine | 0.11 g |
| Cystine | 0.16 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.33 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.21 g |
| Valine | 0.33 g |
| Arginine | 0.26 g |
| Histidine | 0.16 g |
| Alanine | 0.25 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.36 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.2 g |
| Glycine | 0.25 g |
| Proline | 0.71 g |
| Serine | 0.37 g |
FAQ
Is a bean and beef burrito a complete meal?
Yes, it typically provides a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. For a more rounded meal, consider adding a side of vegetables or a salad to increase fiber and micronutrient intake.
How can I make a bean and beef burrito healthier at home?
Use whole-wheat tortillas, lean ground beef or turkey, low-sodium beans, and load it with fresh veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers. You can also reduce cheese and use Greek yogurt as a sour cream substitute.
Why do some burritos cause a 'food coma'?
The combination of a large, refined-carb tortilla, high-fat cheese, and a heavy filling can cause a significant blood sugar rise followed by a crash, leading to drowsiness. Eating a smaller portion or choosing a bowl can help.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.91 kcal/g · 24% calories from protein · 3.0 g fiber · 2.2 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.12 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.