Easy California Burrito Recipe

Indulge in the ultimate West Coast delight with this easy California Burrito recipe. A warm flour tortilla is filled with tender marinated steak, savory melted cheese, fresh guacamole, crispy seasoned French fries, and cool sour cream – this flavorful fusion is a true taste of California’s culinary bliss. Try our easy-to-follow recipe and bring the sunny flavors of the Golden State to your kitchen today!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Flank Steak or Skirt Steak

Flank steak or skirt steak is best for this California burrito recipe, but another great option would be bottom-round steak.

Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is a key part of the steak marinade. If you don’t have soy sauce, you can also use tamari, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos.

Olive Oil

The olive oil helps to prevent the steak from sticking to the grill. You can substitute with grapeseed oil or avocado oil instead.

Cilantro

With a light, citrusy flavor cilantro is a great herby addition to the marinade. If you’re not a cilantro fan, you can use fresh parsley instead.

Lime Juice

Lime juice is a great complementary flavor to the cilantro and soy sauce. Use lime, lemon, or even orange juice to add some citrus flavor and help tenderize the steak.

Fresh Garlic

Fresh garlic is always my go-to, but garlic powder will also work in a pinch.

Taco Seasoned Fries

French fries, which take the place of the rice and beans, are what set the California burrito apart from a traditional burrito. The best way to get taco-seasoned fries is to make them yourself! It’s super easy, just use regular frozen French fries, cook them as instructed on the packaging, and then generously season them with my easy taco seasoning!

Shredded Cheese

Any shredded cheese will do! You can use the shredded Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, mild cheddar, or a three-cheese Mexican blend that you find at the grocery store. For the meltiest cheese, shred your own instead of buying pre-shredded cheese from the store!

Sour Cream

Of course, you can use any sour cream you like, but we use a full-fat sour cream for the best flavor and the creamiest texture.

Guacamole

Fresh, homemade guacamole is a favorite for this California-style burrito. Store-bought will work as well. You can also use my 5-minute creamy avocado sauce!

Flour Tortillas

Make sure to get the burrito-size flour tortillas. The large tortillas have enough space for all of the ingredients to be stacked high without breaking or falling open.

How to Make California Burritos

Marinate the Steak

Add soy sauce, olive oil, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, salt, and pepper to a shallow dish. Add steak and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours and up to 12 hours.

Bake the Fries

Bake fries according to package directions. Season cooked fries with homemade taco seasoning. Toss to coat evenly. Also, check your fries package directions – if they give you the option to cook in the air fryer I highly recommend trying that! It cooks so much faster and you don’t have to warm up the oven!

Cook the Steak

Heat a large cast iron griddle (or grill) over medium-high heat. Transfer marinated steak slices from the marinade to the skillet or grill. Sear meat for a minute or so on each side. Cook to the desired doneness.

Assemble Burritos

Assemble each burrito by grabbing a flour tortilla and adding 1/4 of the steak, 1/4 of the shredded cheese, 1/4 of the fries, a couple tablespoons of sour cream, and guacamole.

Roll into a burrito.

Repeat with remaining ingredients until all 4 burritos are rolled. Wrap with foil if desired. Slice in half and enjoy!

Tips for Making the Best California Burrito

• Don’t marinate the steak for too long or the marinade will start to break down the fibers of the steak and give it a mushy texture. 1-2 hours is perfect and overnight is just fine as well.
• Don’t overcook the steak. I like to cook the steak to medium or 140-145 degrees. And be sure to let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.
• Cut the steak against the grain into thin slices. This will give you a super tender steak.
• Keep the party going with more toppings! Though these California-style burritos are already bursting with amazing toppings, you can also add things like tomatoes, jalapenos, salsa verde, hot sauce, red onions, homemade salsa, Pico de Gallo, or even refried beans. Get creative with it! 

Top California Burritos With

• 5-minute avocado sauce
• chipotle sauce
• Taco Bell quesadilla sauce
• cilantro lime sauce
• copycat Chipotle corn salsa
• 5-minute blender salsa
• roasted tomato salsa

Serve California Burritos With

• street corn pasta salad
• creamy street corn dip
• fried tortilla strips
• creamy smoked queso dip
• taco pasta salad
• cilantro lime slaw

What is a California burrito?

A California burrito is a burrito that originated in San Diego, California. It’s piled high with seasoned sliced steak, crispy French fries, fresh guacamole, plenty of cheese, and sour cream to create a delicious meal your family will love! 

When was the California burrito invented?

The California burrito was created in San Diego, California in the 1980s. While everyone agrees that it originated in a restaurant, there is some debate about which restaurant made it initially.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Though these burritos are not a great make-ahead meal, you can prep all the ingredients ahead of time so that they’re ready to assemble at a moment’s notice! For the best flavors, I would recommend assembling the burritos right before you want to serve and eat. 

Storage Instructions

Store individual components and leftovers in airtight containers, or wrap them tightly in foil, and keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week.

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