Hearty Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos Recipe

Irresistible Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos Recipe for Taco Tuesday!

Weeknight dinners demand bold flavors and quick solutions for hungry families.

These hearty sloppy joe grilled burritos blend classic comfort with a zesty twist that sparks excitement at the dinner table.

Robust ground beef simmers in a tangy sauce, creating a mouthwatering filling that nestles perfectly inside warm tortillas.

Each bite delivers a delightful crunch from the grilled exterior, promising a satisfying meal that kicks traditional recipes up a notch.

Cheese melts into every crevice, adding richness to the already delectable combination.

Packed with protein and bursting with flavor, these burritos transform a simple meal into a memorable feast.

Gather your ingredients and get ready to become the dinner hero your family will cheer for.

Serving Suggestions For Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos

  • Flavor Fusion Feast: Pair these sloppy joe burritos with tangy coleslaw for a crunchy contrast that balances the rich, meaty filling. The cool, crisp slaw cuts through the warmth of the grilled burrito.
  • Dipping Delight: Create a zesty dipping station with homemade ranch, spicy sriracha mayo, or a quick cilantro-lime sauce. These condiments elevate the burrito experience and add extra flavor layers.
  • Family Style Fun: Arrange the burritos on a large platter with various toppings like chopped green onions, extra cheese, and fresh herbs. Let everyone customize their plate and enjoy a interactive meal together.
  • Sidekick Selections: Serve alongside Mexican street corn, black beans, or a light garden salad to round out the meal with complementary textures and fresh components.

Storing Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos The Right Way

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover sloppy joe filling in airtight containers within the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep the mixture sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent flavor loss.
  • Freezer-Friendly Approach: Wrap unbaked burritos individually in aluminum foil, then place inside freezer-safe bags. These can stay frozen up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before grilling for best results.
  • Batch Preparation Technique: Cook extra filling during initial preparation. Separate into portion-sized containers for quick weeknight meals. This saves time and provides convenient meal options throughout the week.
  • Leftover Revival Method: Reheat grilled burritos in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side. This restores crispy exterior and warm, melted cheese while preventing sogginess that might occur from microwave reheating.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need For Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos

For Protein and Flavor Base:
  • Ground Beef: Provides hearty, rich protein foundation with robust meaty taste; choose lean cuts for balanced texture.
  • Sloppy Joe Sauce: Delivers tangy, sweet, and savory flavor profile; select premium brands for authentic taste experience.
For Aromatic Vegetables:
  • Onion, Bell Pepper: Enhance depth of filling with subtle sweetness and crisp texture; select fresh, firm vegetables for maximum crunch.
For Burrito Assembly:
  • Large Tortillas: Creates sturdy wrap with soft, pliable texture; choose flour tortillas for best grilling performance.
  • Shredded Cheese: Adds creamy, melty richness and binding element; opt for sharp cheddar or Mexican blend for deeper flavor.
For Optional Enhancement:
  • Cooked Rice: Provides additional bulk and satisfying substance; use long-grain white or brown rice for complementary texture.
For Grilling and Finishing:
  • Butter or Oil: Ensures golden, crispy exterior with rich, caramelized notes; use unsalted butter or neutral cooking oil.
For Serving Accompaniments:
  • Sour Cream, Salsa, Guacamole: Offers cool, fresh contrast to warm, spicy filling; select homemade or high-quality store-bought versions.

Cooking Tools For Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos

  • Skillet: Large, heavy-bottomed pan for cooking ground beef and simmering filling.
  • Spatula: Wooden or silicone tool for breaking up beef and stirring ingredients.
  • Cutting Board: Flat surface for chopping onions and bell peppers.
  • Sharp Knife: Essential for dicing vegetables.
  • Grilling Pan or Skillet: Used for toasting and grilling burritos to golden perfection.
  • Tongs: Helpful for flipping burritos while grilling.
  • Cheese Grater: Optional tool for shredding cheese if not using pre-shredded.

Steps To Make Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos

  • Sizzle the Meat

Brown ground beef in a skillet, breaking into small pieces. Drain away extra fat. Toss in chopped onions and bell peppers, cooking until they turn soft and fragrant.

  • Create Flavor Fusion

Pour sloppy joe sauce into the meat mixture. Let everything bubble and meld together for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meat perfectly.

  • Wrap and Seal

Lay out tortillas and spoon the delicious meat mixture down the center. Sprinkle generously with cheese. Fold the sides inward, then roll tightly into a compact bundle.

  • Crisp and Golden

Melt butter in a hot skillet. Place burritos seam-side down, grilling until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. Flip carefully and cook the other side until crispy and heated through.

  • Serve and Enjoy

Slice burritos diagonally and plate immediately. Offer cool, creamy sour cream or zesty salsa on the side for extra excitement. Grab a napkin and dig in!

Tips To Boost Flavor In Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos

  • Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos Cooking Tips & Variations
  • Meat Flexibility: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that keeps the same delicious flavor profile.
  • Cheese Adventure: Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack, sharp cheddar, or a Mexican blend to add unexpected zesty notes and personal flair to your burritos.
  • Low-Carb Twist: Replace traditional tortillas with large lettuce leaves or low-carb tortillas for a lighter, diet-friendly alternative that maintains the dish's core essence.
  • Spice It Up: Kick up the heat by adding diced jalapeños, a dash of hot sauce, or chili powder to the beef mixture for those who love an extra spicy kick.
  • Freezer-Friendly Hack: Prepare and wrap burritos in advance, then freeze individually wrapped in foil for quick weeknight meals – simply reheat in a skillet or oven when ready to enjoy.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Hearty Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos Recipe

Hearty Sloppy Joe Grilled Burritos Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Sloppy joe grilled burritos combine classic diner comfort with Mexican-inspired street flavors. Melted cheese, seasoned ground beef, and crispy tortilla edges create a mouthwatering fusion that satisfies hearty appetites with minimal kitchen effort.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) sloppy joe sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
  • 1 cup (240 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 large flour tortillas
  • 1 small onion (diced)
  • 0.5 green bell pepper (diced)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) cooked rice (optional)
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter or oil (for grilling)

Instructions

  1. Meat Preparation: Sear ground beef in a scorching skillet, methodically crumbling and draining excess fat to create a lean, flavorful foundation.
  2. Vegetable Integration: Sauté diced onions and bell peppers until they soften and become translucent, infusing the meat with aromatic depth.
  3. Sauce Infusion: Stir in sloppy joe sauce, allowing the mixture to simmer and reduce, developing a rich, cohesive flavor profile.
  4. Burrito Assembly: Center the robust meat mixture on tortillas, ensuring even distribution across the wrap’s surface.
  5. Cheese and Optional Filling: Cascade shredded cheese over the meat, optionally incorporating cooked rice for added texture and substance.
  6. Wrapping Technique: Fold tortilla edges inward with precision, rolling from the bottom to create compact, sealed parcels that lock in the savory filling.
  7. Golden Browning: Melt butter in a skillet, positioning burritos seam-side down to create a crisp, golden exterior with a delicate crunch.
  8. Final Presentation: Grill burritos until achieving a uniform golden-brown crust, rotating to ensure complete and even caramelization. Slice diagonally and serve with complementary condiments like sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for a complete gustatory experience.

Notes

  • Manage Meat Quality: Choose lean ground beef (80/20 or 85/15) to balance flavor and reduce excess grease, ensuring a cleaner, more concentrated sloppy joe filling.
  • Control Sautéing Technique: Cook onions and peppers until softened but not browned, maintaining their subtle sweetness and preventing bitter undertones in the mixture.
  • Prevent Burrito Blowout: Fold tortillas tightly and seal edges completely to prevent filling from leaking during grilling, using slightly less filling if needed for secure wrapping.
  • Optimize Grilling Performance: Use medium-low heat when grilling burritos, allowing cheese to melt thoroughly while creating a crispy, golden-brown exterior without burning the tortilla.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American-Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star