How to Reheat a Burrito and Keep it Deliciously Tasty: The Perfect Bite
Do you like burritos but have been disappointed with the flavors and texture after reheating them?
I took one for the burrito-lover’s team and tested out all the different ways to reheat a burrito. And I may have discovered the best way to keep the deliciousness intact!
A Quick Note on Reheating Burrito
I’ve experimented with many strategies to determine how to reheat a burrito without ruining its taste. After letting it sit in the fridge overnight, I tried 5 different ways to reheat the burrito.
The methods I tested are:
- Reheating a burrito in the oven (best results, takes more time)
- Reheating a burrito in the microwave (quick and easy, it can make the tortilla soggy)
- Reheating a burrito in a skillet (good for crispy tortillas, takes more time)
- Reheating a burrito in an air fryer (crispy tortilla, but can overcook the filling)
- Reheating a burrito on the grill (smoky flavor, but requires outdoor cooking equipment)
I’ll show you how each of these methods works and talk about their pros and cons. Based on my knowledge, I’ll tell you the best way to reheat a burrito.
Special Note: After trying these methods, I found that reheating a burrito in the oven is the best choice. Put the burrito on a wire rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Warm up the burrito for 15 to 20 minutes or until it’s hot all through. Take the foil off the tortilla for the last two minutes to make it crisp. If you don’t have much time, you can use the microwave, but be careful not to overheat the tortilla and make it soggy.
Watch this video to get a better understanding.
How to Reheat a Burrito
As a fan of burritos, I know how hard it is to reheat them while keeping their texture and flavor. Whether you want to grill your burrito or heat it up quickly in the microwave, I’m here to help you with every method.
Before we start, it’s important to note that if your burrito has wet ingredients, it’s best to scoop them out and add them back later to keep it from getting soggy. The same goes for cold ingredients like lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and raw cilantro. You can take them out or leave them in, but if you leave them in, the lettuce will dry, and the tortilla will get soggy.
Now, let’s look at how you can reheat your burrito to eat it again quickly.
1. How to Reheat Burrito in the Oven
The best way to reheat a burrito is in the oven since it ensures that the filling is heated thoroughly and the tortilla is crisp. The best part is that your tortilla will be warm and crispy instead of cold and mushy.
- Prepare a 225°F oven.
- Take your tortilla out of the fridge and wrap it in aluminum foil loosely. Following this trick, the burrito will heat more quickly and retain less moisture.
- Bake the burrito for around 30 minutes after you’ve rolled it up.
- Take the burrito out of the oven with oven mitts or strong tongs.
- Heat the burrito until it is hot all the way through, and the filling is thoroughly warmed.
- To ensure it is evenly warmed, put a meat thermometer at the center. If it shows 165F.
- Take the burrito out of the foil and slice it in half.
Pros
- Reheats the burrito evenly inside.
- Keeps the tortilla from getting soggy.
- If you use a large sheet pan, you may reheat several burritos simultaneously.
Cons
- It takes more time to reheat than other options.
- Can cause the tortilla to dry out if not wrapped loosely with aluminum foil or cooked too long.
2. How to Reheat a Burrito in the Microwave
Reheating the burrito in the microwave is ideal if you don’t have much time and want something to eat right away.
Take the burrito from the microwave and use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
- Get the burrito out of the freezer, and remove the aluminum foil.
- Place it on a microwave-friendly plate.
- Sprinkle water on the burrito to keep it soft inside.
- Set the timer for 1 minute on the microwave.
- Turn the burrito over after a minute and sprinkle water on the other side.
- Give the burrito one more minute in the microwave.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the burrito has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit on the inside.
Pros
- Easy to use with minimal prep and cleanup.
- An easy solution for people on the go who need a quick bite to eat
Cons
- If wrapped loosely or reheated with too much water, burritos can get mushy.
- The filling could not heat up evenly in the microwave, leaving some areas cold and others overly hot.
3. How to Reheat a Burrito in a Skillet
You can use a standard pan to reheat a burrito to perfection. This method works best for small burritos, like the traditional one. Here’s how it’s done
- Prepare a moderate fire in a skillet.
- When the skillet is hot, remove the tortilla from its wrapping and add it to the pan.
- Heat the tortilla for two to three minutes with the lid on the skillet.
- After 2 minutes, flip the tortilla over and cook for another 2 minutes.
- When the center is hot and bubbly, and the exterior is crisp and toasted, the burrito is done.
Pros
- Using a skillet to reheat a burrito creates a crisp exterior while maintaining a tender within.
- With this method, a burrito usually only needs 5 or 6 minutes to heat up.
Cons
- The burrito may not heat evenly, meaning some parts may still be cold while others are hot.
- To ensure the burrito is heated evenly using this method, you’ll need to pay close watch and flip it over.
4. How to Reheat a Burrito in a Grill
You might think it’s excessive to fire up the grill just to reheat a cold burrito, yet many people do just that. This is the best technique to ensure a crisp burrito shell if you have an hour to kill before dinner.
If you plan on serving burritos at a BBQ but want to make them the day before, this is a great way.
- Wrap the burrito in foil and place it on the side of the grill that isn’t lit.
- For about 30 minutes, with the lid closed, grill the burrito until the insides are evenly hot.
- Then, transfer the tortilla to the grill’s hotspot using tongs or oven mitts so it can develop grill marks.
- When a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit, your burrito is done cooking and ready to eat.
Pros
- If you reheat your burritos on the grill will give off a wonderful smoky flavor.
- The burrito will be warm and crispy throughout because the heat will be distributed evenly.
- The grill marks will give the tortilla a smoky, crunchy flavor.
Cons
- Reheating a tortilla on a grill might take a while.
- If you’re reheating the tortilla on the grill, you need to keep a constant eye on it or it will rapidly get overcooked or burnt.
5. How to Reheat a Burrito in an Air Fryer
If you wish to use an air fryer to reheat a frozen burrito, follow these instructions. A quick and innovative method for making a crispy breakfast burrito.
- If your burrito is frozen, wait until it is at room temperature.
- Turn on the air fryer and set the temperature to 325 degrees F.
- Spray some oil on the burrito before placing it in the air fryer.
- To evenly toast the tortilla shell in an air fryer, cook it for 14-16 minutes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Note :
If you’re concerned about whether or not foil will burn in an air fryer, don’t worry. It is secure; unlike microwaves, air fryers don’t cause harmful radiation.
Pros
- The air fryer makes the tortilla crispy.
- Reheating in an air fryer is quick and simple, taking only a few minutes.
- The hot air from the air fryer circulates the tortilla, heating it thoroughly and uniformly.
Cons
- The burrito filling can overheat or dry out if it spends too much time in the air fryer.
- Burritos may not be reheated uniformly if improperly positioned in an air fryer.
Best Way to Reheat a Burrito: Verdict
If you want to reheat your burritos, the oven is a great way to do it because it will warm them evenly and make the tortilla a little bit crispy. But you should remove any cold toppings like sour cream and lettuce before putting them in the oven so they don’t get soggy or overcooked.
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How to Store a Burrito
Wrap burritos in a paper towel, then in foil or plastic wrap to keep them warm until ready to eat. When left out at room temperature, burritos stuffed with moist ingredients like salsa and sour cream will become mushy after only two days. The burritos will last up to 4 days if you only use dry fillings.
After a burrito has cooled to room temperature, I wrap it in a paper towel, then foil or plastic wrap for storage. Instead of only depending on the tortilla to absorb any excess moisture, I use a paper towel. I cover the tortilla securely in plastic wrap to protect it from drying out.
The tortilla will go soggy if you store the burrito at a colder temperature because the leftover heat will cause moisture.
How Long Does a Burrito Last in the Fridge?
Burritos can be kept in the fridge for 4-5 days, depending on how they are made and stored. A freshly made, well-sealed burrito can be eaten for up to five days.
On the other hand, a burrito made with processed foods that aren’t sealed well can only be eaten for about three days (maximum)
If your burrito has wet ingredients like salsa or sour cream, it will only keep in the refrigerator for about two days. On the other hand, a dry burrito can be kept for up to four days.
You can keep your burrito in the freezer for up to three months if you want it to last longer. Just wrap it in foil or plastic wrap and put it in a bag or container that can go in the freezer to keep it from getting a freezer burn.
Always use your best judgment when deciding whether a burrito is safe. If it smells funny or looks bad, it’s best to throw it away rather than risk getting sick.
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Conclusion
Reheating a burrito is a great way to eat leftovers without changing the taste or texture of the food. You can find the best way to do it based on your tastes and the tools you have in your kitchen.
