California Burrito Recipe (A San Diego Classic)

Name: California Burrito
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 ounces Carne Asada or seasoned flank steak ((diced)); 20 French fries ((less if using thicker fries)); 2 Tbsp creamy guacamole; 2 Tbsp sour cream; ⅓ cup shredded Mexican cheese; ¼ cup salsa; 1 Tbsp cilantro ((diced)); 1 Tbsp onion ((diced)); 1 large large flour tortilla

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 pickled carrots and habanero salsa!

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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. Yes, even more than this carne asada fries recipe, and that's saying something!

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! For smaller burritos, use my sourdough discard tortillas recipe. They taste like the real deal!

Jump to:

🌴 What Is A California-Style Burrito?
🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
🌯 How to Make A California Burrito
🤷🏻‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips
🥑 More Mexican Recipes
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

🌴 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!

🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions

California burrito, unwrapped, with fries, meat, cheese, and salsa.

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 recipe, 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 fire roasted salsa. You can also add pico de Gallo.

mexican salsa in a bowl with a yellow rim and a sliced avocado on the side

Step 1: Begin by marinating the flank steak in my Carne Asada Marinade for three or more hours. Dice the 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.

diced carne asada for california burrito recipe

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.

Step 2: Deep-fry the fries in 375 degrees F oil until golden brown. A healthier option is to bake the fries in the oven or in an air fryer.

Step 3: 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.

tortilla with guacamole and sour cream in the center, blue background

Step 4: 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).

Step 5: 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

Who invented the California burrito?

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.

What Comes on a California Burrito?

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, you 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 complementary in a California Burrito.
Love extra spicy food? Toss in some freshly sliced or pickled jalapeños!

cali burrito cut in half on a blue plate

🥑 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 Instant Pot chile verde!

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📖 Recipe

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Hilda Sterner