California Burrito

Craving a taste of the West Coast? This homemade California Burrito is a San Diego favorite you can make in your own kitchen! Packed with carne asada, melty cheese, creamy restaurant-style tableside guacamole, crispy seasoned Air Fryer Frozen French Fries, and sour cream-every bite is pure burrito bliss.

What is a California Burrito?

A California Burrito is a specific type of burrito that originated in San Diego, California sometime in the 1980’s. It’s known for its unique combination of French fries within the burrito itself, alongside other traditional fillings. California Burritos begin with a large flour tortilla topped with juicy, marinated steak and piled high with crispy taco seasoned fries, lots of shredded cheese, restaurant style guacamole, and sour cream - a flavor burst in every bite!

Ingredient Notes

Below is a brief overview of each ingredient needed to make this loaded steak burrito. To see printable recipe card with exact directions, scroll to the bottom of the post or click “jump to recipe” at the top.

Marinade

• Cilantro– fresh cilantro is best as it gives a light, citrusy flavor to the marinade.
• Lime Juice– the citrus helps tenderize the steak when marinating, you can also use lemons in place of the limes.
• Olive Oil– you can also use avocado oil if desired.
• Garlic– fresh minced garlic is always best, if needed, you can use the pre-minced jars.
• Jalapeno– freshly chopped, you can keep the seeds or remove them depending on heat preference.
• Salt/ Black Pepper– adds flavor to the marinade. Feel free to adjust based on taste.

Burrito

• Steak– California Burritos are always made with Carne Asada. You can use flank steak, skirt steak, or bottom round steak.
• French Fries– store bought or homemade work great. You’ll season them with taco seasoning or if you can find Carne Asada seasoning, that makes for yummy Carne Asada Fries in this recipe. I use my air fryer to cook the crispy air fryer French fries with lots of yummy seasoning.
• Cheese– any shredded cheese works great for this recipe. I use Cheddar cheese since I always have it on hand, but Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack are great options. Freshly shredded results in the meltiest cheese!
• Sour Cream– full fat sour cream has the most flavor and creamiest texture, however, any type works. You can also use plain Greek yogurt.
• Guacamole– store bought works good, however, my tableside guacamole is the best and can even be served on the side with some chips!
• Tortillas– you’ll need the burrito size flour tortillas to make sure all your ingredients can fit inside without the tortilla breaking.

How to make California Burritos

Prepare the marinade using a food processor.

Add the marinade and steak to a plastic bag and shake around to coat thoroughly. Allow meat to marinate for 1-2 hours, or up to 12 hours.

Cook fries according to package direction and season with desired amount of taco seasoning.

Heat large griddle, skillet, or grill and transfer the steak to sear a minute or two on each side cooking to desired doneness (130- 135 degrees is medium rare).

Thinly slice steak. Assemble each burrito by adding about ¼ steak, ¼ cheese, ¼ cooked fries, and desired amount of sour cream and guacamole to your warm tortillas. Roll into burrito and continue until all are assembled. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

• Warm your tortillas before assembling to ensure they don’t break when stuffed with the ingredients.
• For a spicy addition, add in a splash or two of hot sauce.
• Cut the steak against the grain in thin slices to keep it tender once cooked.
• Don’t overcook your steak. We love ours medium rare, about 135 degrees, however, you can go to medium which is 140-145 degrees if you don’t like a lot of pink).
• Have fun with the toppings when serving your San Diego burrito. You can pile on red onions, shredded lettuce, hot sauce, Pico de Gallo, salsa, Mexican Street Corn, candied jalapenos, or tomatoes.
• After the carne asada is grilled, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing or chopping. This helps the meat become more tender as it reabsorbs the juices from cooking.
• To make Carne Asada Fries, skip the tortilla and add all the ingredients on top of your crispy air fryer fries.

Storing this California Burrito Recipe

Store leftovers in airtight containers, or wrap them tightly in foil, and keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze the burritos by adding them to a freezer safe container or bag up to 3 months. Remove frozen California Burritos from freezer and place on a baking rack. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until completely warmed through and toasted. If using the microwave, heat for approximately 4 minutes or until warmed through. You can crisp up your microwaved burritos by putting under the broiler in the oven or pan sear.

What to serve with your Asada Burrito

• Charro Beans
• Mexican Street Corn Casserole
• Fresh Fruit Salad
• Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
• Cowboy Queso

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a California Burrito and regular burrito?

A California burrito includes crispy seasoned fries inside whereas a regular burrito includes beans and rice.

Can I make this easy Carne Asada burrito ahead of time?

Sure! You can prep and cook the steak ahead of time as well as the fries. Up to 2 days in advance and simply assemble when ready!

Can I swap the steak for a different protein?

Absolutely! While traditionally, they use carne asada, grilled chicken or grilled beef work great too!

More Dinner Recipes to try

California Taco– packed with fresh ingredients and bursting with flavor, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Try it out tonight!

Ground Beef Taco Bowls– can be customized with your favorite toppings and ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights!

Oven Baked Beef Tacos– an easy and flavorful dinner option. Filled with seasoned ground beef and topped with all your favorite taco toppings, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

Chicken Taco Casserole– a creamy chicken taco filling, crushed tortilla chips, cheesy layers throughout, and any toppings desired, this casserole is bound to be a new family favorite!

Easy Taco Lasagna– combine two delicious dishes into one with this mouthwatering Taco Lasagna Recipe. Layers of seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, beans, salsa, and flour tortillas make for a satisfying and easy-to-make meal.

Love this California Burrito as much as we do? Be sure to print or save the recipe so it's ready for your next burrito night! Whether you’re craving a carne asada burrito, a loaded steak burrito with fries, or just a taste of San Diego at home, this easy California Burrito recipe is a must-try. Don't forget to leave a comment and rating below-I'd love to hear how it turned out for you!