I'm so excited to be sharing my California Burrito recipe with you! Have you tried a California Burrito? This humongous burrito is filled with cubed carne asada, hot french fries, creamy guacamole, and Mexican salsa. I like serving it with these spicy Mexican carrots!
Of all the various burritos I enjoy, including crispy tilapia fish burritos, Mexican breakfast burritos, and carne asada burritos, this California burrito recipe is my favorite! It's the ultimate comfort food and the first thing I get every time I'm in San Diego.
Now that I live in Montana, I've resorted to making my own, not only for myself but also for all my California transplant friends! So, if you find yourself craving San Diego-style Mexican food like a cheesy carne asada quesadilla, give this California burrito recipe a try!
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🌴 What is a California Style Burrito?
Although it's known as the California Burrito, the only place you can get one is in Southern California, and more specifically, San Diego. My old neighborhood had taco shops on every corner, but Estrada's is my favorite!
Sure, Montana has a lot to offer, but Mexican food is not one of them. With this in mind, I decided to deconstruct this popular burrito. My goal was not only to figure out how to make one but to perfect the recipe.
Guess what? I believe I've done it! If your upcoming travel plans don't include San Diego, it's ok. Just follow this easy California burrito recipe, it's sure to be a family favorite!
😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This recipe is easy to prepare when you break it down into manageable steps.
- Steak and potatoes are a match made in heaven, now imagine them smothered in cheese, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. 🤯
- Similar to making individual pizzas for the family, this California burrito recipe can be customized to everyone's preference. Each family member can decide what they want to add to their burrito or leave off.
🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Meat: Skirt steak or flank steak are the best options for making a California burrito, however, diced sirloin may be used in a pinch.
- Marinade/Seasoning: Marinate the meat in my carne asada marinade or use my carne asada seasoning.
- Tortillas: You'll need extra large flour tortillas to make a proper California burrito!
- Fries: French fries (fried, baked, or air fried).
- Guacamole: Creamy guacamole, you can substitute chunky if you prefer it.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese or your favorite Mexican blend.
- Salsa: Your favorite chili sauce or salsa ranchera.
- Sour cream: Sour cream or Mexican crema.
- Misc: Pico de Gallo or chopped cilantro, onions, and tomatoes.
🌯 How to Make A California Burrito
There are many components to this authentic California burrito recipe. It's easier to make some of these components ahead of time. This includes the guacamole and salsa.
You can have chunky guacamole or this creamy guacamole, which is the one we like. To make creamy guacamole, you'll need avocados, sour cream, garlic, and lime juice. Set these aside until needed.
You can use store-bought red salsa, or make your own. I recommend salsa ranchera or this spicier roasted salsa recipe. You can also add pico de Gallo.
Begin by marinating the flank steak for three to four hours. Dice marinated meat and cook in a hot cast-iron skillet, over high heat, until the flank steak is cooked and slightly charred on the outside.
Pro Tip: You can skip the Carne Asada marinade used to marinate the flank steak (or skirt steak) if you're in a hurry. Instead, use seasoned diced sirloin. See the recipe notes at the bottom of the page for more detailed information.
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Deep-fry the fries in 375-degree F. oil until golden brown. A healthier option is to bake the fries in the oven or in an air fryer.
To assemble, use an extra-large burrito-sized tortilla (12" or larger). Slightly char the tortilla over a flame, to soften.
Spread creamy guacamole and sour cream in the center of the tortilla.
Add cooked diced Carne Asada and a handful of hot, just-fried french fries.
Top the fries with shredded Mexican cheese (or cheddar cheese), salsa, or pico de Gallo. Finish off with cilantro and diced onions, (optional).
Microwave for one minute and roll tightly into a burrito (or roll first, then microwave), then dig in!
Pro Tip: If preparing the California burritos to enjoy later, wrap the burritos in foil to keep them warm. The foil will also help to shape your carne asada burrito.
🤷🏻♀️ Recipe FAQs
It is believed that the first California Burrito recipe was created in 1980. It was developed in an unknown Mexican Taco Shop in San Diego. However, a chain, formerly known as Santana's, claims to be the creator of the first California Burrito Recipe.
Like the Carne Asada burrito, a Cali burrito is an experience that should not be missed by any San Diego tourist.
The California Burrito stands out from other burritos and is easily distinguished by one particular ingredient, french fries!
To make a California Burrito, you have to begin with the largest tortilla you can find. Next, you will need to add guacamole, sour cream, diced carne asada, salsa, and shredded Mexican cheese.
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- If you're in a hurry, use diced sirloin, seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder instead of marinated Carne Asada.
- If you're watching calories, cook the french fries on a baking sheet in the oven, according to the directions on the bag, instead of frying them. You can also use an air-fryer.
- To cut down on calories, use can also use smaller tortillas or low-carb tortillas instead.
- I recommend softening the tortillas first by charring them quickly over a stovetop.
- Some people like to add refried beans or rice to their California Burritos. Personally, I don't think rice goes well in this recipe. However, refried beans or even chorizo beans would be complimentary in a California Burrito.
- Love extra spicy food? Toss in some freshly sliced or pickled jalapenos!
🥑 More Mexican Recipes
If you liked this California burrito recipe, check out some of my other Mexican dishes including my Pressure Cooker carnitas, Instant Pot tamales, and chile verde!
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.
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📖 Recipe
California Burrito
Ingredients
- 4 ounces Carne Asada or seasoned flank steak (diced)
- 20 French fries (less if using thicker fries)
- 2 tablespoon creamy guacamole
- 2 tablespoon sour cream
- ⅓ cup shredded Mexican cheese
- ¼ cup salsa
- 1 tablespoon cilantro (diced)
- 1 tablespoon onion (diced)
- 1 large large flour tortilla
Instructions
- Making a California Burrito isn’t hard, but it does require some planning ahead of time. This includes marinating the Carne Asada, cooking the french fries, making the salsa, and the Creamy Guacamole prior to assembly.
- Begin by marinating the Carne Asada for a minimum of three hours.
- Prepare Creamy Guacamole then cover and set aside until needed.
- Fry, bake, or air fry fries in the oven.
- Cook diced flank steak in a hot cast-iron skillet until slightly charred and cooked through.
- Slightly char an extra large tortilla over a flame, to soften. Spread some creamy guacamole and sour cream on the tortilla.
- Add cooked Carne Asada, and hot fries in the middle of the burrito. Top with shredded cheese, salsa (or pico de gallo), diced onion, and cilantro.
- Roll the burrito tightly and microwave for one minute (to melt the cheese). Enjoy!
Notes
- If you're in a hurry, use diced sirloin, seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder instead of marinated Carne Asada.
- If you're watching calories, cook the french fries in the oven, according to the directions on the bag instead of frying them. You can also use an air-fryer.
- To cut down on calories, use can also use smaller tortillas or low-carb tortillas instead.
- I recommend softening the tortillas first by charring them quickly over a stove top.
- Some people like to add refried beans or rice to their California Burritos. Personally, I don't think rice goes well in this recipe. However, refried beans or even chorizo beans would be complimentary in a California Burrito.
- Love extra spicy food? Toss in some freshly sliced or pickled jalapenos!
Rachel says
Wow, this was delicious! I made it pretty much as written, but added refried beans as a layer with the guac & sour cream. Thanks for introducing us to a new favorite!
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for taking the time to review the recipe! I approve of the addition of the refried beans, enjoy!
JM says
Hello, do you have suggestions on how to reheat a California burrito?
Thanks!
Hilda Sterner says
Hi, I usually wrap it in a napkin and microwave it for 30 seconds at a time until it's hot. You can also wrap it in foil and reheat it in a toaster oven or a 350-degree F oven. I hope that helps, enjoy!
Thomas says
Used to live walking distance to Santana’s. Any chance you could hook us up with the chicken recipe for the Chicken Cali Burrito??
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Thomas, That's very cool! I wish I could have tasted their Cali Burritos! If I was going to make Chicken Califronia Burritos, I would just use the Carne Asada recipe to marinate the chicken and then follow the California Burrito recipe's directions for the remaining steps.
MichaelM says
I was introduced to Carne Asada burritos in San Diego 35 years ago... and if I think with my taste-buds, the only diff between this and what I knew back then is the "California Burrito" idea. Whooda thunk it back then: replace rice with FRIES in a fine burrito and make it *better*!!!
Mimmie says
We just tried this recipe last night and it was incredibly, utterly delicious. We’ve actually tried other recipes for Cali burritos and they always weren’t as good as getting them from a restaurant. Your recipe was exactly what we were looking for and we think it’s EVEN better than ones we’ve had from San Diego! The carne asada tasted perfectly seasoned and the tip to cube the meat before cooking made it so much easier to cook indoors. This has made it to our favorite meals to make for our family now. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Mimmie, Wow, what a wonderful review to wake up to! I really appreciate you taking the time to come back and review/rate the recipe. I'm also really glad that your family enjoyed the burritos. God bless!
Terry smith says
Loved your California burritos. Thanks for having us over for dinner. Evan and Terry
HildaSterner says
Enjoyed having you and looking forward to more fun get-togethers in the future.
Kelly Methey says
We had these burritos last night and they were fantastic! Hilda’s recipes are the best! Her marinated hot carrots are the perfect side to pair with the burritos. You won’t be disappointed! Yum!
HildaSterner says
Glad you liked the #7 (I think that's what you called it) ? Come again!
HildaSterner says
Thanks, Kelly, so nice of you to review the recipe!