Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans Recipe
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If you’re craving a meal that’s packed with bold, comforting flavors and satisfying textures, the Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans Recipe is exactly what you need in your kitchen repertoire. This dish combines lean ground turkey, creamy spiced refried beans, fluffy white rice, and melty cheese wrapped inside soft tortillas for a winning combination that’s both hearty and fresh. Whether you’re feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, these burritos deliver the warmth and zest of Southern-inspired cooking in every delicious bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting your hands on these ingredients is as simple as it is rewarding. Each one plays a special role in bringing the unique character of Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans Recipe to life—whether it’s the spices that layer in depth, the beans that bring that classic creamy texture, or the fresh cilantro that adds a lovely pop of color and brightness.
- Vegetable oil: Helps sauté the onions and garlic, forming the flavorful base of the dish.
- Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and aroma when cooked down gently.
- Garlic cloves: Infuses a warm, savory depth to the beans and turkey layers.
- Pinto beans: These are the star for crafting the creamy, hearty refried beans.
- Ground cumin: A staple spice offering earthy, smoky notes.
- Chili powder: Brings a mild kick and complexity without overpowering the dish.
- Garlic powder: Boosts the garlic flavors for richer seasoning.
- Onion powder: Enhances the savory base flavors.
- Paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness and beautiful color.
- Dried oregano: Gives a herbaceous touch that ties everything together.
- Salt and pepper: Essential to balance and highlight all the components.
- Ground turkey: Offers lean protein that absorbs the spices perfectly.
- Shredded cheese: Melts into the burritos, giving that creamy, indulgent pull.
- Cooked white rice: Adds a light, fluffy texture that complements the beans and meat.
- Flour or corn tortillas: The soft, warm wraps that hold everything snugly together.
- Sour cream: Provides a cool, tangy contrast to the spicy fillings.
- Fresh cilantro: Brightens the dish with a fresh herbal zing.
- Tomato salsa: Offers a juicy, zesty finish for each bite.
How to Make Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans Recipe
Step 1: Sauté Onions and Garlic
Start by heating vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the diced yellow onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onions turn translucent and fragrant—this usually takes about 2 and a half minutes. This step lays down the aromatic foundation critical to the dish’s success.
Step 2: Cook the Pinto Beans
Next, add the undrained pinto beans straight to the skillet with your onions and garlic. Scatter the cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper over the beans. Stir everything together and bring it to a simmer. As the beans soften over 7 to 10 minutes, partially mash them with a potato masher to achieve that creamy, refried texture. Keep cooking for another 5 to 10 minutes to thicken the mixture nicely.
Step 3: Brown the Ground Turkey
While the beans are cooking, heat a separate skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground turkey. Break it apart using a wooden spoon to ensure even browning. Sprinkle in the same spices used for the beans to keep all the flavors harmoniously blended. Cook until the turkey turns a lovely golden brown, which should take about 5 minutes. Then, remove it from heat to keep it tender.
Step 4: Prepare the Rice and Cheese
Divide the cooked white rice and shredded cheese into two medium-sized bowls—this will make assembling each burrito quick and easy. Meanwhile, warm the tortillas briefly in a skillet, approximately 30 seconds per side, so they’re pliable and perfect for wrapping.
Step 5: Assemble the Burritos
Lay a warmed tortilla flat on your clean surface. Start layering with a generous line of the seasoned turkey, followed by a hearty scoop of the refried beans, fluffy rice, and shredded cheese. Top all that with dollops of sour cream, a spoonful of salsa, freshly chopped cilantro, and if you like, a squeeze of lime juice for a zesty finish. Fold the bottom of the tortilla over the fillings, tuck in the sides, and roll tightly to seal everything inside. Repeat with the rest of your tortillas and fillings.
Step 6: Serve Immediately
The Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans Recipe truly shine when enjoyed fresh and warm. Serve your burritos straight away and watch them disappear in no time.
How to Serve Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans Recipe
Garnishes
Top these burritos with a handful of vibrant fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream to balance the spices. A sprinkle of diced jalapeños or a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce can add that extra kick for those who crave heat.
Side Dishes
For a well-rounded meal, serve the burritos alongside a crisp green salad or Mexican street corn salad. A simple side of tortilla chips and guacamole also pairs beautifully, adding crunch and creaminess that complement the soft burritos.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your guests? Cut the burritos in half diagonally and stack them on a platter with small bowls of salsa, sour cream, and fresh guacamole nearby. You could even bake the assembled burritos topped with extra cheese until bubbling golden for a delightful twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover burritos can be wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. This lets the flavors meld and makes for a delicious, ready-to-go meal.
Freezing
If you want to keep these burritos handy for longer, wrap each burrito individually in plastic wrap and then foil before placing them all in a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze wonderfully for up to three months without losing any flavor or texture.
Reheating
To reheat, unwrap the burrito and warm it in a skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally until heated through and the tortilla is crispy again. You can also microwave it covered with a damp paper towel for about 1-2 minutes, though it won’t have the same crispiness as the skillet method.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of bean in the Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans Recipe?
Absolutely! While pinto beans are traditional and offer that classic flavor and texture, black beans or even refried black beans can be great substitutes if you prefer something a bit different.
Is ground turkey the only protein option for this recipe?
Not at all! You can easily swap the ground turkey for ground chicken, beef, or even a plant-based protein if you want to tailor the recipe to your taste or dietary needs.
How spicy are these burritos?
The dish has a mild to moderate spice level thanks mainly to the chili powder. You can adjust the heat up or down by modifying the amount of chili powder or by adding fresh jalapeños or hot sauce as garnish.
Can I make these burritos gluten-free?
Yes. Simply opt for corn tortillas labeled gluten-free instead of flour tortillas, and make sure your spices and other ingredients are free from gluten-containing additives.
How long does it take to prepare the Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans Recipe?
This recipe takes about 45 minutes from start to finish, making it a fantastic weeknight meal that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or heartiness for speed.
Final Thoughts
Trust me when I say these Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans Recipe will quickly become a household favorite. They bring together an inviting mix of flavors and textures that satisfy every craving with a comforting Southern touch. So grab those ingredients and get cooking—you’re in for a delicious adventure that your family and friends will absolutely love!
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Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
These Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans are a hearty and flavorful meal perfect for a family dinner. Packed with seasoned ground turkey, creamy refried pinto beans, fluffy rice, melted cheese, and fresh toppings, wrapped in warm tortillas, these burritos offer a delicious blend of Southern spices and classic burrito flavors.
Ingredients
For the Beans and Turkey:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (16-ounce) cans pinto beans, undrained
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound ground turkey
For Assembly:
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 3 cups cooked white rice
- 8 flour or corn tortillas
- Sour cream, to taste
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 (16-ounce) jar tomato salsa
- Optional: lime juice
Instructions
- Sauté onions and garlic: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and cook until translucent, about 2.5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Cook beans: Stir in the undrained pinto beans along with ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 7-10 minutes until the beans soften. Use a potato masher to partially mash the beans, then continue cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Cook ground turkey: In a separate skillet, cook the ground turkey over medium-high heat. Break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Season with the remaining spices and cook until the turkey is fully browned and cooked through, approximately 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Prepare ingredients: Divide the cooked white rice and shredded cheese into two medium-sized bowls. Warm each tortilla in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds per side to make them pliable and easier to roll.
- Assemble burritos: Place a warmed tortilla on a clean surface. Layer a line of cooked ground turkey, refried beans, cooked rice, and shredded cheese in the center. Top with sour cream, salsa, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice if desired. Fold the bottom edge of the tortilla up over the filling, fold in the sides, and roll tightly to form a burrito. Repeat with remaining tortillas and fillings.
- Serve: Serve the burritos immediately while warm, optionally with extra salsa or sour cream on the side.
Notes
- For a spicier burrito, add diced jalapeños or use a spicy salsa.
- Use corn tortillas to make the burritos gluten-free.
- Leftover fillings can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated for quick meals.
- Feel free to add avocado slices or hot sauce for extra flavor.
- Warming tortillas is key to prevent cracking and makes rolling easier.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
