Freezer-Friendly Make-Ahead Shredded Beef Burritos

A hot meal on a busy night starts with a well-stocked freezer. You can build a batch of 8 large extra soft tortillas packed with beef, rice, and beans to make Freezer-Friendly Make-Ahead Shredded Beef Burritos. The tight foil wrap keeps the filling intact. You can bake them straight from the freezer at 350°F (180°C).

Freezer-safe ingredients

Beef, rice, cheese, beans, and corn keep their texture perfectly when frozen. For the filling, you need 3 to 4 cups of shredded beef. Always store your make-ahead shredded beef and its cooking liquid in separate containers. Mixing the meat and sauce for long-term storage will cause the beef to become soggy. Before assembling the meal, thoroughly drain one 14 oz (400 g) can of black beans and one 14 oz (400 g) can of corn kernels.

You must leave fresh produce out of wraps bound for the freezer. Lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro turn to mush in the cold. Water-rich vegetables ruin the texture when you reheat the meal. Sour cream separates in the freezer and should also be excluded.

Heating the tortillas

Cold tortillas crack and break open when you roll them. You need to warm them up first. Place half of the 10-inch (26 cm) tortillas in the microwave. Heat them for 15 seconds. They will bend easily once warm. Keep the heated tortillas under a tea towel so they retain their heat while you work.

Rolling and wrapping

Lay one warm tortilla flat on your counter. Put the shredded cheese down the middle. Monterey Jack melts nicely. You will need 1.5 to 2 cups of shredded cheese for the entire batch. Put 1/3 cup of the beef over the cheese. Add 1/4 cup each of the corn, black beans, and Mexican Red Rice.

You can use the blunt side of a knife to hold these generous fillings in place. Push the food back with the knife blade while you fold the bottom of the tortilla up and over the pile.

Roll the tortilla tightly. Tear off squares of aluminum foil. Wrap each assembled burrito tightly in the foil. The foil layer holds everything together in the freezer so the wraps do not fall apart.

Cooking fresh burritos

You do not have to freeze the entire batch. You can cook fresh burritos right away. Place a skillet on the stove over medium heat. Put the wraps in the pan. Cook them for four to five minutes on each side. The outside will turn brown and crisp. The inside will heat all the way through.

Reheating frozen meals

Transfer wrapped burritos directly from the freezer to the oven. Do not take the foil off. Bake them at 350°F (180°C) for 40 to 45 minutes.

You can also thaw the frozen meals overnight. A thawed burrito cooks well in a skillet. You can heat a thawed wrap in the microwave if you do not want a crispy exterior. You must remove the foil before you put them in the microwave.

Serving ideas

If you plan to serve the meal right away, you can set up a customized burrito spread. Place the shredded beef, Mexican Red Rice, and various fresh garnishes in separate containers so guests can assemble their portions exactly how they want them. Because the wraps will not be frozen, you can provide fresh toppings like salsa, tomatoes, lettuce, avocado, and sour cream on the side.