If you’re craving a meal that brings together bold flavors and comforting textures, you’re going to love this Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans Recipe. It perfectly balances savory ground turkey, creamy refried beans, and melty cheese all wrapped in a warm tortilla. Every bite is like a cozy hug, bursting with southern-inspired spices and fresh toppings that make this dish a standout. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, these burritos deliver simple ingredients transformed into a dish everyone will rave about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering a handful of everyday ingredients can elevate your dinner game to something truly special. Each component plays an essential role in building the layers of flavor, texture, and color that make these burritos so irresistible.
- Vegetable oil: A neutral base perfect for sautéing your onions and garlic to golden perfection.
- Yellow onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth when softened gently.
- Garlic cloves: Minced fresh garlic infuses every bite with aromatic warmth.
- Pinto beans (canned, undrained): The star of the refried beans, bringing creamy texture.
- Ground cumin: Offers earthy, smoky undertones classic to southern and southwestern dishes.
- Chili powder: Adds the perfect mild heat and vibrant color to the beans and turkey.
- Garlic powder: Boosts the garlic flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Onion powder: Amplifies the savory depth in every layer.
- Paprika: Brings color and a subtle smokiness that complements the turkey beautifully.
- Dried oregano: A touch of herbal earthiness that rounds out the spice blend.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasoning to balance and enhance all the flavors.
- Ground turkey: The lean protein that keeps this meal hearty yet lighter than traditional beef.
- Shredded cheese: Melts into creamy, gooey pockets of deliciousness inside the burrito.
- Cooked white rice: Adds subtle texture and helps stretch the filling for satisfying servings.
- Flour or corn tortillas: Soft wraps that hold everything together and add chewiness.
- Sour cream: A cool, tangy finish that balances the spices wonderfully.
- Fresh cilantro: Bright, fresh herbaceous notes that make the dish pop.
- Tomato salsa: Vibrant and zesty topping that ties all the flavors together.
How to Make Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans Recipe
Step 1: Sauté Onions and Garlic
Start by heating vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your diced yellow onion and minced garlic, cooking just until they become translucent and fragrant, around 2 to 3 minutes. This simple step is key to building the savory foundation for your beans and turkey.
Step 2: Cook the Pinto Beans
Next, add the undrained pinto beans straight into the skillet along with ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring everything to a gentle simmer and cook for 7 to 10 minutes until the beans soften. Partially mash them with a potato masher to create that classic creamy refried bean texture, then let it thicken for another 5 to 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Brown the Ground Turkey
Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, cook the ground turkey over medium-high heat. Break it up with a wooden spoon and season with the remaining spices. Cook until the turkey is browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Removing the turkey from heat at the right moment ensures it stays juicy and flavorful.
Step 4: Prepare Rice, Cheese, and Tortillas
Divide your cooked white rice and shredded cheese evenly into two separate bowls. Warm each tortilla in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds on each side to make them pliable and ready for assembling.
Step 5: Assemble the Burritos
Lay a tortilla flat on a clean surface and start building your burrito with a line of ground turkey, a generous scoop of refried beans, a scoop of rice, and a sprinkle of cheese. Top these fillings with dollops of sour cream, tomato salsa, chopped fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice if you like a citrusy kick. Fold over the bottom edge of the tortilla, tuck in the sides, and roll tightly to seal all those delicious ingredients inside. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and fillings.
Step 6: Serve Immediately
These burritos are best enjoyed fresh while the cheese is melty and the flavors are vibrant. Serve them while warm and get ready for the compliments to roll in!
How to Serve Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans Recipe
Garnishes
A scoop of tangy sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro make the perfect garnishes to brighten the rich, hearty interior of the burritos. You can also add sliced jalapeños if you crave an extra spicy pop or a wedge of lime on the side for a fresh citrus burst.
Side Dishes
Pair your Southern Turkey Burritos with a simple green salad tossed in a zesty lime vinaigrette or some crispy tortilla chips and guacamole to keep the meal lively. A side of Mexican street corn can also add a sweet and smoky contrast that complements the burritos beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, slice your burritos in half diagonally and stand them up on a platter for easy grabbing at parties. You can also turn this Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans Recipe into a layered burrito bowl by piling all the ingredients in a bowl and topping with salsa and cilantro for a mess-free, fork-friendly option.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover burritos can be wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes them an excellent option for quick lunches or easy dinners during busy weeks.
Freezing
If you want to plan even further ahead, these burritos freeze really well. After assembling, wrap each burrito individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months and enjoy a tasty, homemade meal any time you need it.
Reheating
To reheat, remove any foil or plastic wrap and warm the burrito in the oven at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes or microwave it on a plate covered with a damp paper towel for 1 to 2 minutes. This ensures the filling heats evenly without drying out the tortillas.
FAQs
Can I use ground chicken instead of ground turkey?
Absolutely! Ground chicken works just as well and will keep the burrito lean and flavorful. Just make sure to cook it thoroughly and season as you would the turkey.
Are these burritos spicy?
They have a mild to moderate heat thanks to the chili powder and spices, but you can easily adjust the spice level by adding more chili powder or including jalapeños as garnish.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Simply omit the ground turkey and add extra beans or your favorite sautéed vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms to keep it hearty and delicious.
What type of beans are best for the refried beans?
Pinto beans are traditional and offer the perfect creamy texture for refried beans, but black beans can also be used for a slightly different flavor profile.
Can I use homemade salsa instead of jarred?
Definitely! Fresh homemade salsa gives a wonderful bright and fresh flavor, making the burritos even more special.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend trying the Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans Recipe enough. It’s one of those meals that feels like a warm hug after a busy day, packed with flavors that sing together harmoniously. Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned home chef, this recipe is a surefire way to delight your taste buds and impress anyone lucky enough to share a bite with you.
Print
Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
These Southern Turkey Burritos with Refried Beans are a delicious, hearty meal perfect for a family dinner or a casual get-together. Featuring seasoned ground turkey, flavorful spiced refried pinto beans, fluffy white rice, melted cheese, and fresh toppings wrapped in soft tortillas, these burritos combine comforting Southern flavors with satisfying texture and warmth. Ready in just 45 minutes, they make a quick and easy recipe with crowd-pleasing taste.
Ingredients
Refried Beans
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (16-ounce) cans pinto beans, undrained
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Turkey Filling
- 1 pound ground turkey
Extras and Assembly
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 3 cups cooked white rice
- 8 flour or corn tortillas
- Sour cream
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 (16-ounce) jar tomato salsa
- Lime juice (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté onions and garlic: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes, to develop a flavorful base.
- Cook beans: Add undrained pinto beans, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook for 7 to 10 minutes until beans soften. Use a potato masher to partially mash the beans, then continue cooking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the beans thicken to a creamy consistency.
- Cook ground turkey: In a separate skillet, cook ground turkey over medium-high heat. Break the meat up with a wooden spoon and add the remaining spices for seasoning. Cook until the turkey is browned and cooked through, approximately 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Prepare ingredients: Divide the cooked white rice and shredded cheese into two medium-sized bowls for easy assembly. Warm the tortillas by placing them in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds on each side to make them more pliable.
- Assemble burritos: Lay a warmed tortilla flat on a clean surface. Layer the turkey, refried beans, cooked rice, and shredded cheese in a line down the center. Top with sour cream, tomato salsa, chopped fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice if desired. Fold the bottom edge of the tortilla up, fold in the sides, and roll tightly to enclose the filling. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and ingredients.
- Serve: Serve the burritos immediately while warm and enjoy the blend of Southern-inspired flavors.
Notes
- Use either flour or corn tortillas according to your preference.
- For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling.
- The lime juice is optional but adds a nice zest and freshness to balance the rich flavors.
- Leftover burritos can be wrapped in foil and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, microwave wrapped burritos or warm them in a skillet until heated through.
