Smothered Green Chili Beef Burritos Recipe
Introduction
These smothered green chili beef burritos are a comforting and flavorful meal, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Packed with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and a creamy green chili sauce, they bring a delicious twist to a classic favorite.

Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies
- 1 can (10 ounces) red enchilada sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 8 flour tortillas
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Step 2: Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, approximately 6 to 7 minutes.
- Step 4: Sprinkle in cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well to distribute the spices evenly.
- Step 5: Pour in diced green chilies and red enchilada sauce, mixing thoroughly.
- Step 6: Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 7: Stir in sour cream until fully combined and smooth, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Step 8: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Step 9: Lay out flour tortillas on a flat surface. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the beef mixture onto the center of each tortilla, then top with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
- Step 10: Fold in the sides of the tortilla and roll it tightly to form a burrito.
- Step 11: Arrange the rolled burritos seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
- Step 12: Pour any leftover beef mixture evenly over the burritos. Sprinkle remaining cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese on top.
- Step 13: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Step 14: Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Step 15: Remove from oven, let cool for a few minutes, then garnish with chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra heat, add more crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free alternative, though they may be less pliable for rolling.
- Mix in black beans or corn for added texture and nutrition.
- Top with avocado slices or guacamole for a creamy finish.
Storage
Store leftover burritos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) covered with foil for about 15 minutes or until warmed through. Alternatively, microwave individual servings on medium power in 1-minute intervals until hot.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I freeze these burritos?
Yes, you can freeze assembled burritos before baking. Wrap each burrito tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, covered with foil at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, removing foil for the last 5 minutes to brown the cheese.
What can I use instead of sour cream?
If you prefer, you can substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a tangy flavor and creamy texture. Alternatively, a mild cream cheese or Mexican crema works well in this recipe.
Print
Smothered Green Chili Beef Burritos Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 burritos 1x
Description
This Smothered Green Chili Beef Burritos recipe combines flavorful ground beef simmered in a spicy green chili enchilada sauce with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, all wrapped in soft flour tortillas and baked to golden perfection. Topped with fresh cilantro, these burritos offer a delicious, comforting Mexican-inspired meal perfect for dinner or a hearty lunch.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies
- 1 can (10 ounces) red enchilada sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 8 flour tortillas
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the skillet and sauté onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook the ground beef: Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, approximately 6 to 7 minutes.
- Season the beef: Sprinkle in cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well to distribute the spices evenly.
- Add chilies and sauce: Pour in diced green chilies and red enchilada sauce, mixing thoroughly.
- Simmer the mixture: Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Incorporate sour cream: Stir in sour cream until fully combined and smooth, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Assemble burritos: Lay out flour tortillas on a flat surface. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the beef mixture onto the center of each tortilla, then top with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
- Roll burritos: Fold in the sides of the tortilla and roll it tightly to form a burrito.
- Place burritos in dish: Arrange the rolled burritos seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
- Add remaining beef mixture and cheese: Pour any leftover beef mixture evenly over the burritos. Sprinkle remaining cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese on top.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Bake uncovered: Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and garnish: Remove from oven, let cool for a few minutes, then garnish with chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add extra crushed red pepper flakes or use spicier green chilies.
- Sour cream adds creaminess; for a lighter version, substitute with Greek yogurt.
- Flour tortillas can be warmed before assembling to make them more pliable.
- Leftover burritos can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with beans or a plant-based meat alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: green chili burritos, smothered burritos, beef burritos, enchilada sauce, Mexican burritos

