Bad Hambres-Inspired Bean and Cheese Burritos
Perfect to prep for the week
Would you quit your job for frozen bean and cheese burritos? Hank, part of the couple behind Bad Hambres Burritos based in Phoenix, did just that. These burritos have serious hype surrounding them — they’ve sold out again and again.
From what I can tell, they seem to hold up to the hype. They look to be obsessively well-crafted. According to Bad Hambres’ website, Hank spent ten years perfecting the beans that go into the burritos. Cheese is mixed into the beans for even distribution, so you get an even amount of melty cheese in each bite. The tortillas are made by a local bakery, and the burritos are baked with a little cheese on the outside to get nice and crispy.
I want to try Bad Hambres Burritos, but I unfortunately don’t have plans to go to Phoenix any time soon, and they don’t ship yet. So I tried making them at home. I watched every video I could find about Bad Hambres Burritos to try and recreate their magic. I may not have come up with exactly how they make it, but these bean and cheese burritos are pretty darn good.
They’re perfect for meal prep for the week. They taste much better than store-bought freezer burritos, and they’re almost as convenient. Because the ingredients matter, using dried beans is mandatory. I know it takes more time, but a lot of it is hands-off, and the flavor payoff is worth the effort!
Once they’re prepped, these burritos couldn’t be more convenient. Pop them into the freezer and reheat them whenever you want a quick breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack.
Bean and Cheese Burritos
Makes 8 burritos
These bean and cheese burritos are an homage to Bad Hambres Burritos in Phoenix. Dried beans, the best tortillas you can find, and your favorite hot sauce make these burritos a few notches above anything you’ll find in the store. Spend some time making these on the weekend, and you’ll have quick meals whenever you need them.
Ingredients
For the filling
1/2 pound dried pinto beans, rinsed and soaked for 1-3 hours
1 small onion, cut into quarters
3 medium garlic cloves
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
3 tablespoons hot sauce (more or less, to taste)
For assembling
8 burrito-sized tortillas (8” or larger)
2 tablespoons shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
Make the beans. Put the beans in a pot with enough water to cover them by 2”. Add the onion, garlic, and bay leaf, and bring to a boil. Boil for 15 minutes, then turn to low and cover. Cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are soft and the broth is getting thick. Once the beans are starting to soften, add the salt. Remove the lid and turn the heat to medium-low. Cook until the broth is thick and creamy. Remove the bay leaf. The onion and garlic have most likely fallen apart. If you’d like, you can remove them. I prefer to mash them into the beans with a fork. Stir in the shredded Mexican cheese and hot sauce.
Assemble the burritos. Preheat the oven to 400. Gather your tortillas and a baking sheet. Scoop 1/3 cup of the bean mixture into a tortilla and roll it up into a burrito. Once finished, place it on the baking sheet. Repeat until you’re out of tortillas. Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of shredded Mexican cheese on top of the burritos, then bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese and edges of the burritos are crispy.
Enjoy fresh out of the oven, or freeze them in a large resealable bag and reheat when you’d like to eat them. Heat them one at a time in the microwave for 2 minutes, or until they’re heated all the way through.
Notes
Yes, you should use dried beans. You could substitute canned if you’re short on time, but I haven’t tested this, and dried beans add significantly more flavor. Because beans are the primary ingredient, it’s worth the time investment to use dried. I used Camellia pinto beans. Rancho Gordo would also be great. Use the best quality beans you can find!
Need tips on how to roll up a burrito? Check out this video.
At the very least Bad Hambres' marketing and branding is on point!
Can't wait to try these!