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, Mexican salsa, and more!
What is a California Style Burrito?
Although it's known as the California Burrito, the only place you can get your hands on one is in San Diego.
My neighborhood is littered with taco shops, but Estrada's is my favorite! They make a mean California Burrito!
Sure, Montana has a lot to offer, Mexican food is not one of them. With this in mind, I decided to deconstruct the California 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 my easy California Burrito recipe. It's sure to be a family favorite!
How to Make This Recipe
There are many components to making a California Burrito. It's easier to make some of these components ahead of time. This includes guacamole and salsa.
Creamy Guacamole
Prepare guacamole using my creamy guacamole recipe. Set aside until needed.
Carne Asada
Begin by marinating the Carne Asada for three to four hours. Dice marinated meat and cook in a heated pan, over high heat, until cooked and slightly charred on the outside.
You can also skip the marinated meat if you're in a hurry and season some diced sirloin instead. See recipe notes for more information.
Fries
Deep-fry the fries in 375-degree F. oil until golden brown.
How to Assemble A California Burrito
To start, you need an extra-large tortilla, something comparable to the one pictured below. The a
Spread the large tortilla with some creamy guacamole and sour cream.
Add cooked, diced Carne Asada, and a handful of hot, just-fried french fries.
Top with shredded Mexican cheese, salsa, or pico de Gallo. Finish off with cilantro and diced onions, if desired.
Microwave for one minute and roll tightly into a burrito (or roll first, then microwave).
Dig in!!!
Recipe FAQs and Expert Tips
In my Easy Breakfast Burrito post, I discuss the origin of the burrito. But when it comes to the California Burrito, I'm happy to say it's a San Diego original!
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.
After all, New York has its Thin-Crust Pizza, Chicago its Deep-Dish, and Philadelphia the Philly Cheesesteak. However, San Diego is known for Mexican food.
The California Burrito stands out from other burritos, and easily distinguished by one particular ingredient, potatoes. Or more specifically, french fries.
To make a California Burrito, you have to begin with the largest tortilla you can find. Next, you will need some creamy guacamole.
Marinated Carne Asada, salsa, sour cream, and shredded Mexican cheese are also essential. Pico de gallo, diced onion, and cilantro finish off this monster of a meal!
Making a California Burrito is like taking Carne Asada Fries (another San Diego classic) and wrapping them in a blanket of love.
If you can polish off one of these huge burritos, it will leave you stuffed, yet satisfied! Personally, I cut the burrito in half and make two meals out of it... yes, it's that big!
This California Burrito recipe is pretty simple, but it does require some planning. This includes marinating the Carne Asada and frying the french fries.
Not only that, but you also need salsa (or pico de gallo), and creamy guacamole. All these ingredients should be prepared prior to assembling the burrito.
- For a quicker option, 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 directions on the bag instead of frying them.
- To cut down on calories, use can also use smaller tortillas or use low carb tortillas instead.
- I recommend softening the tortillas first by charring them quickly over a stove-top.
Related Recipes
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California Burrito
Ingredients
- 4 oz. Carne Asada (diced)
- 20 French fries (less if using thicker fries)
- 2 T. creamy guacamole
- 2 T. sour cream
- ⅓ cup shredded Mexican cheese
- ¼ cup salsa
- 1 T. cilantro (diced)
- 1 T. onion (diced)
- 1 large flour tortilla (Approx. 12")
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 or bake the fries in the oven.
- Cook diced Carne Asada in a hot cast iron until slightly charred and cooked through.
- Slightly char an extra large tortilla over a flame, to soften.
- Smear tortilla down the center with creamy guacamole and sour cream.
- Add cooked Carne Asada, and hot fries in the middle of the burrito.
- Add shredded Mexican cheese, salsa (or pico de gallo), diced onion and cilantro.
- Roll tightly into a burrito and microwave for a minute (to melt the cheese).
- Enjoy!
Notes
- For a quicker option, 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 directions on the bag instead of frying them.
- To cut down on calories, use can also use smaller tortillas or use low carb tortillas instead.
- I recommend softening the tortillas first by charring them quickly over a stove-top.
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!