Beef and Bean Burritos Smothered with Red Chile Chimayo

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Last Updated on July 25, 2025 by Casia Valdés

When it comes to comfort food with bold, unforgettable flavor, nothing quite satisfies like Beef and Bean Burritos Smothered with Red Chile Chimayo. This dish takes a humble burrito and elevates it with the earthy, rich complexity of Chimayo red chile sauce—a regional treasure from New Mexico that adds both tradition and fire to your table.

Whether you’re making it for a casual family dinner or serving up a weekend fiesta, this recipe hits all the right notes: cheesy, hearty, and just spicy enough to wake up your palate.

What Makes This Dish So Special?

  • Hearty ground beef and creamy beans make a satisfying, protein-packed filling.

  • Smoky and rich Chimayo red chile sauce gives this dish an unforgettable kick.

  • Easy to prepare and customizable—you can make the burritos and sauce ahead of time.

  • Perfect for any season, especially when served with fresh garnishes like avocado, cilantro, and salsa.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Beef and Bean Burritos (Serves 6)

  • 1 pound lean ground beef

  • 1 packet taco seasoning

  • 1 (16 oz) can refried beans

  • 6 large (12-inch) flour tortillas

  • 1½ cups cooked Mexican rice

  • 1½ cups shredded Mexican cheese

  • Vegetable oil (for pan-frying)

  • Cilantro, sour cream, salsa, avocado (optional toppings)

For the Red Chile Chimayo Sauce

  • ½ cup Pure Chimayo red chile powder

  • 2½ cups vegetable or chicken broth

  • 2–3 tbsp canola oil

  • 1 small white onion, finely chopped

  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 1 tsp cumin seeds, toasted and ground

  • 1 tsp Mexican oregano

  • ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1 tsp salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the Chimayo Red Chile Sauce

  1. In a bowl, whisk 1 cup broth into the Chimayo red chile powder until smooth and lump-free.

  2. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion for about 5 minutes.

  3. Add garlic and sauté another 2 minutes.

  4. Stir in the cumin, oregano, and cinnamon. Cook, stirring constantly, for another 2 minutes.

  5. Pour in the chile mixture and remaining broth. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer. Do not boil.

  6. Add salt and let the sauce simmer on low for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened to your desired consistency.

  7. Let cool and store or use immediately.

Prepare the Burrito Filling

  1. Cook and crumble ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.

  2. Stir in taco seasoning and mix well.

  3. Add refried beans and cook until warmed through and creamy. Remove from heat.

Assemble the Burritos

  1. Microwave tortillas for 30 seconds, covered with a damp towel to soften.

  2. Lay out a tortilla and spoon ⅙ of the beef and bean mixture in the center.

  3. Add a scoop of rice and a generous sprinkle of cheese.

  4. Roll burrito-style: fold the sides inward, then roll up tightly from the bottom.

  5. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

Pan-Fry for a Golden Finish

  1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

  2. Add 2 burritos at a time, seam-side down. Cook until all sides are golden brown, rotating with tongs.

  3. Remove and keep warm while finishing the rest.

Smother and Serve

  1. Place burritos on a plate or in a baking dish.

  2. Spoon warm Chimayo red chile sauce generously over each burrito.

  3. Top with extra cheese, cilantro, sour cream, salsa, or avocado slices if desired.

Tips for the Best Smothered Burritos

  • Use authentic Chimayo red chile powder for true flavor depth. It’s milder but richer than standard chile powders.

  • Make the chile sauce ahead of time—it stores well for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

  • For a vegetarian version, swap the beef with grilled veggies or pinto beans.

  • Want it crispier? Use an air fryer to finish the burritos before smothering.

  • Spice level control: Adjust taco seasoning and chile powder quantity to taste.

What to Serve with These Burritos

  • Mexican street corn (Elote)

  • Cilantro lime rice or Spanish rice

  • Fresh garden salad with lime vinaigrette

  • Pico de gallo or chunky guacamole

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

  • Filling can be made 1–2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator.

  • Chile sauce freezes well—just thaw and reheat when ready.

  • Leftover burritos (unsmothered) can be wrapped in foil and frozen for up to a month.

Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about a burrito wrapped in a golden crust and drenched in a smoky, velvety red chile sauce. These Beef and Bean Burritos Smothered with Red Chile Chimayo bring the heart of New Mexican cuisine into your kitchen—simple ingredients, big flavor, and warmth that goes beyond just heat.

Beef and Bean Burritos Smothered with Red Chile Chimayo

Smothered beef and bean burritos topped with rich Chimayo chile sauce—delicious and easy!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Beef and Bean Burritos
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 16 oz can refried beans
  • 6 large 12-inch flour tortillas
  • 1½ cups cooked Mexican rice
  • 1½ cups shredded Mexican cheese
  • Vegetable oil for pan-frying
  • Cilantro sour cream, salsa, avocado (optional toppings)
For the Red Chile Chimayo Sauce
  • ½ cup Pure Chimayo red chile powder
  • 2½ cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 –3 tbsp canola oil
  • 1 small white onion finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds toasted and ground
  • 1 tsp Mexican oregano
  • ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt

Method
 

Make the Chimayo Red Chile Sauce
  1. In a bowl, whisk 1 cup broth into the Chimayo red chile powder until smooth and lump-free.
  2. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion for about 5 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and sauté another 2 minutes.
  4. Stir in the cumin, oregano, and cinnamon. Cook, stirring constantly, for another 2 minutes.
  5. Pour in the chile mixture and remaining broth. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer. Do not boil.
  6. Add salt and let the sauce simmer on low for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened to your desired consistency.
  7. Let cool and store or use immediately.
Prepare the Burrito Filling
  1. Cook and crumble ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Stir in taco seasoning and mix well.
  3. Add refried beans and cook until warmed through and creamy. Remove from heat.
Assemble the Burritos
  1. Microwave tortillas for 30 seconds, covered with a damp towel to soften.
  2. Lay out a tortilla and spoon ⅙ of the beef and bean mixture in the center.
  3. Add a scoop of rice and a generous sprinkle of cheese.
  4. Roll burrito-style: fold the sides inward, then roll up tightly from the bottom.
  5. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
Pan-Fry for a Golden Finish
  1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add 2 burritos at a time, seam-side down. Cook until all sides are golden brown, rotating with tongs.
  3. Remove and keep warm while finishing the rest.
Smother and Serve
  1. Place burritos on a plate or in a baking dish.
  2. Spoon warm Chimayo red chile sauce generously over each burrito.
  3. Top with extra cheese, cilantro, sour cream, salsa, or avocado slices if desired.