I Asked 3 Chefs for Their Favorite Frozen Burrito, and This Is the Only One I’ll Buy From Now On

True, fast food burritos from brands like Chipotle, Moe’s, and Qdoba generate a lot of buzz. While many team members at Allrecipes are regulars at those build-your-own burrito shops, we rely on another wrap rendition even more: frozen burritos.

Quick, convenient, budget-friendly, and easy to buy in bulk (and find room for in the freezer!), frozen burritos are a great family-friendly freezer meal that everyone can enjoy on those days when you’re crunched for time.

If you scan the freezer aisle, you’ll be presented with dozens of options, ranging from breakfast burritos to restaurant-style burritos filled with beans, chicken, beef, bacon, carnitas, and beyond. To help you fill your cart—and your stomach—wisely, we spoke to professional chefs to find out which is the best burrito for your buck.

Our Panel of Chefs

Essential Qualities in the Best Frozen Burritos

The little details make all the difference in separating a so-so burrito from a stand-out one, and the chefs agree. On your mission to select the best, look for these three main qualities below.

• Recognizable ingredients. Before you fall in love with the packaging or throw the burrito in your cart, Deleasa-Gonsar suggests that you flip the package around and scan the ingredient list. “I’m looking for ingredients that are recognizable, like chicken, beans, rice, and spices, and not a lot of fillers and additives,” she says.
• Flavorful filling. Most frozen burrito wrappers are made of very similar components: wheat flour, water, oil, sugar, and salt. The major differences are found in what’s hiding inside. “If I bite into a frozen burrito and it just tastes like a tortilla wrapped around sadness, I’m tossing it. I’m hunting for flavor, texture, and protein that packs a punch,” notes Duran. Whether the flavor is in the form of herbs, spices, robust cheeses, or peppers, “the filling should taste like it came from an actual kitchen—not a lab experiment,” Duran adds, and the protein should be distinguishable rather than disguised.
• A strong tortilla. Although you can rescue an exploding burrito by serving it “naked” in a bowl, a burrito is supposed to be a handheld meal. The best frozen burritos are wrapped in a sturdy, tasty tortilla that crisps up nicely (rather than getting soggy) after cooking, explains Moran.

The Best Frozen Burrito, According to Chefs

Both Duran and Deleasa-Gonsar confirm that the best frozen burrito you can buy is Red’s Burritos.

These chefs agree that you can’t go wrong with any of the breakfast or dinner-style burritos Red’s offers, due to the high-quality, chewy, and soft tortilla, as well as the well-balanced seasonings. The reasonable price (usually between $2 and $3 each) doesn’t hurt, either. 

“It wouldn’t surprise me if someone with a real culinary degree came up with the recipe,” Duran says, nodding to punchy additions like paprika, pepper jack cheese, garlic, green chiles, jalapeños, and sea salt.

Deleasa-Gonsar is especially a fan of the Organic Chicken, Cilantro, and Lime Burrito. Featuring grilled chicken, brown rice, corn, black beans, tomatillos, and red bell peppers, “you can see and taste all of the different elements; it doesn’t look like one uniform filling,” she mentions. Thanks to the cilantro and lime, “a little bit of herby citrus comes through, too,” Gonsar says.

Duran prefers a breakfast option from Red’s Burritos—specifically the Chicken Chorizo Breakfast Burrito. He declares this as his favorite, “no contest. It’s like they kidnapped a breakfast taco from San Antonio, tucked it in a tortilla blanket, and froze it in time for me to microwave joy into my morning—and afternoons too!” With cage-free eggs and “a triple cheese combo that melts like a dream, this is breakfast with 16 grams of protein that doesn’t have me crashing by 10 a.m.,” he laughs.

Moran and Deleasa-Gonsar note that these brands are worthy of an honorable mention, due to their flavorful fillings, streamlined ingredient lists, and sturdy yet soft tortillas:

• Amy’s Burritos
• El Monterey Burritos

The Best Way to Prepare and Enjoy Frozen Burritos Like a Chef

Nearly every frozen burrito on the market these days offers specific cooking instructions for the microwave, oven, and air fryer. The chefs we spoke to say they generally follow the suggested steps, but they improvise in a few scenarios to reduce the risk for sogginess and ensure even cooking:

• Flip halfway out. Whichever appliance you use, Deleasa-Gonsar recommends using tongs to flip the burrito halfway through the suggested cooking time for proper ventilation and browning. “I feel like it helps keep the burrito from breaking apart and leaking all the good stuff out,” Gonsar tells us.
• Try a mash-up method. When preparing his frozen burrito, Duran’s mission is to get the best results in the shortest amount of time. To do so, he swears by microwaving the frozen burrito for three-quarters of the time recommended in the microwave directions. Then add the par-cooked burrito to an air fryer set to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Spritz with avocado oil spray and air fry for about 2 to 3 minutes more, until crisp and golden brown. 
• Or sizzle them up in a skillet. Moran is also keen on a dual-cooking technique. After microwaving for the full time listed on the package, she places the burrito in a nonstick skillet over medium heat to crisp up both sides and eliminate any sogginess in the tortilla.

The chefs say their best burritos can stand alone as a delicious handheld meal or snack. But if you’d like to up the appetizing ante, consider one of these chef-approved strategies: