Easy to make and with a tasty mix of ingredients, this vegetarian breakfast burrito is a great way to get your day off to a good start.
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I'm not really sure why but I was never aware of breakfast burritos until I moved to the US. It probably has a bit to do with the fact that Mexican or Tex-Mex food is pretty limited in the UK. There are a few better places appearing but it is still not a particularly prominent food type and a lot of what you can get is pretty bland and caked in cheese and grease.
True, some of what you get in the US is not much better, but it is at least popular enough and there are enough good Mexican chefs in the country to have the possibility of better options.
Anyway, I am pretty sure breakfast burritos are an American invention in any case, as I don't remember ever seeing them in Mexico. From what I can tell, they are a true Californian invention, so it's fitting that's where I first had them.
I was lucky to enjoy a pretty amazing vegetarian breakfast burrito in Santa Cruz when we were there a couple years ago, and since I have had a few goes at making my own version at home.
What is a breakfast burrito?
In simplest terms, a breakfast burrito is a tortilla filled with eggs, usually scrambled with added Mexican flavors. Exactly what you put in with the eggs varies, but onions always help add some good flavor and beans are a pretty good option as well.
I like a little crunch from pepper and replicating some of the freshness of salsa with tomatoes and cilantro/ coriander. A little cheese is always good too.
Some add Mexican chorizo or other meat, but I guess maybe with my first taste being a vegetarian breakfast burrito when I was in California, that's become my go-to at home.
How to make this vegetarian breakfast burrito
These are incredibly easy to make. I do it all in one pan and it's ready in no time and makes a really tasty breakfast/brunch as well as being a great option if you feel like more breakfast-like food at another point in the day.
- First chop up the onion, pepper and tomato.
- Soften the onion in a skillet then add the pepper, cook a minute, then add the tomato.
- Add the beans and eggs then cook through, stirring regularly.
- Meanwhile warm the tortillas.
- Add the cheese and cilantro to the eggs, fill the tortillas with the mixture, roll up and enjoy.
You can add in some cool avocado or sour cream, or spice it up with hot sauce, or both. It's got a wonderful comfort factor but without the hours cooking that so many comfort foods have.
Eggs, veggies, a touch of cheese and spice if you want it, all wrapped up in a soft tortilla. This vegetarian breakfast burrito is one delicious start to any day.
If you like this, you may also like these similar dishes:
- Tex Mex migas
- Menemen (Turkish egg scramble)
- Overnight breakfast bake
- Plus get lots more breakfast and brunch recipes in the archives.
Vegetarian breakfast burrito
Ingredients
- ½ onion small
- ¼ red pepper or yellow/orange
- 1 tomato small, or ½ large
- ½ tablespoon oil
- 4 tablespoon black beans
- 4 eggs or 3 if extra-large, lightly beaten
- 4 tablespoon grated cheese
- 6 stems cilantro leaves chopped
- 2 tortillas flour or corn
Optional toppings
- Sour cream, avocado, hot sauce, extra cheese
Instructions
- Dice the onion, pepper and tomato fairly small.
- Heat the oil in a skillet/frying pan or shallow pan over a medium heat and fry the onion for a couple minutes until softening.
- Add the pepper and cook another minute or two then add the tomato. Reduce the heat a little if sticking or drying out.
- Add the beans and mix through then add the eggs. Cook, stirring regularly, as if you are cooking scrambled eggs. Take off the heat just before they are fully cooked as they will continue to cook a bit after in the pan.
- Meanwhile warm the tortillas gently (in microwave, under grill or in a skillet/frying pan) - if you forget don't worry it's not the end of the world.
- Add the cheese and cilantro to the eggs and mix through then fill the two tortillas. Add any or all of your preferred toppings and serve immediately.
Nutrition
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This post was originally published in June 2015 and has been updated, primarily with new photos.
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Denise Gray
This can not be a vegan burrito because it had Eggs, now some vegetarians can eat eggs but in this case, this is recipes said Vegan, and the cheese should be vegan cheese also
Caroline's Cooking
No, it is not vegan as eggs are not vegan, but it is not stated that way, but instead vegetarian which can (and often does) include eggs.
Jay
It is not vegetarian it contains eggs.
Caroline's Cooking
You're getting confused between vegan and vegetarian - vegetarian means no meat but eggs and dairy are OK, vegan is where there are no animal products at all.
Maeve Erickson
I tried these this morning at they are delicious
Caroline's Cooking
Great, glad to hear you enjoyed!
Anne Lawton
We love breakfast burritos, and the make ahead part that's a plus!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, yes they're great to make and take with you.
Christie
These look great for a make ahead breakfast. Portable, easy, and delicious.
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, absolutely!
Ellen
My youngest will love this for breakfast. A delicious way to send him off to school.
Caroline's Cooking
Sounds perfect indeed!
Nichole
This looks delicious!
Liz @ Books n' Cooks
Love breakfast burritos - nice and hearty, and depending on my plans for the morning, great for taking to eat on the go
Caroline's Cooking
I agree, they're a great choice!
Karen
I was just craving a breakfast burrito this morning! I've got to make this!
Caroline's Cooking
Sounds like perfect timing!
Debra C.
Have you ever made these in advance? I’m wondering how long they will keep. I’d love to pack these into a cooler for a trip to the mountains. They look delicious!
Caroline's Cooking
You know I haven't, but I know people do sometimes take breakfast burritos with them and certainly they'd pack OK wrapped up. I think it's just down to the fact you have eggs in there so you can't have them neither chilled nor kept warm for too long.
Carlee
Mmmmmm! I really like breakfast burritos and yours looks sooooo flavorful. I'd love to make it as a breakfast for dinner option!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, they are indeed tasty and yes perfect then too!
Josette
My son is obsessed with breakfast burritos! He had one the morning before his state testing each day this year. (a great excuse for deliciousness!) 🙂 Yours looks yummy!
Caroline's Cooking
Well there are worse things for breakfast! Thanks, this version is indeed tasty.
Quinn Caudill
I'm ready for breakfast. Love the addition of black beans and avocado. Thanks for sharing with Fiesta Friday #72. Hope to see you next week.
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, Quinn, and hope you are enjoying co-hosting Fiesta Friday!
Judi Graber
This is my kind of burrito - love the avocados! I use black beans in recipes frequently and now I have a breakfast version. Thanks for sharing Caroline - how are you feeling?
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, Judi. I'm also probably more of a fan of this than more 'main-course' burritos. Feeling not too bad, thanks, though toddler jetlag is more of a challenge than my own!