Are you looking to microwave bean and cheese burrito without exploding it or drying out the tortilla wrap? Whether it is a frozen burrito or leftover burrito from Chipotle, burritos can easily explode, dry out or become soggy without the proper cooking time and power setting.
However, this can be resolved with a few helpful microwave precautions. Typically, bean and cheese burritos take less time to microwave compared to meat-based burrito, but they both follow similar steps.
How do you microwave bean and cheese burritos? Remove burrito from wrapper and loosely wrap in a damp paper towel. Consider to microwave one burrito at a time to cook thoroughly.
Place the burrito on microwave-safe plate and nuke on high power for 1 minute. Flip the burrito on the other side and continue on high power for another minute or until the proper temperature is achieved.
Check the burrito is cooked thoroughly by inserting a food thermometer on several spots to verify the internal temperature reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius. Remove the paper towel and let it stand for 1 minute prior to removing from the microwave.
Bean and cheese burritos are a healthy vegetarian option for a quick bite to eat at any time of day. Because they can be easily stored in the freezer and reheated as an instant meal, it is an extremely popular dish many people prefer.
If the burrito is frozen, make sure to bring to room temperature prior to cooking for even heat distribution. This will make it possible for burritos to be successfully reheated without getting soggy, however frozen El Monterey burritos do not require thawing beforehand.
Is it safe for one to microwave cheese and bean burritos? What are the critical tips and the best way to microwave a burrito? In this article, we provide answers to frequently asked questions regarding cooking burritos in the microwave.
Can you microwave bean burritos?
Yes, you can microwave bean burritos. Wrap in a damp paper towel and nuke for 1 minute increments until the internal temperature reaches 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, following precaution is needed to avoid to explode, dry out or become soggy.
The first step when reheating a bean burrito is removing plastic wrap and placing it on a microwave safe plate. Always go for either ceramic or glass dishes as they typically handle microwave heat better than plastic.
Reheat the bean burrito for approximately one minute depending on the wattage and how big it is. Allow it to sit in the microwave for around 45 seconds to allow the heat to spread evenly.
Flip and rotate the burrito, then repeat the reheating process for another one minute. Allowing it to sit for 30 to 60 seconds between microwaving give it the best results with more consistent heating.
When it comes to a frozen bean burrito, remove the foil from the frozen bean burrito and wrap it in the damp paper towel. The wrapped bean burrito should then be placed on a plate and microwaved at very high temperatures for 1 minute increments for a total of 3 to 4 minutes until it is evenly heated.
Is it safe to cook bean and cheese burrito in the microwave?
Yes, it is safe to cook frozen bean and cheese burritos in the microwave. Burritos can be defrosted before reheating, but that isn’t always necessary. As long as the internal temperature reaches 74℃ or 165℉ then it’s safe to eat.
The most important part is that frozen burritos do not require defrost prior to cooking. However frozen burritos can be left to thaw in the fridge overnight before cooking them.
Also, try to heat frozen burritos in the microwave in stages. One minute increment followed by a brief rest period, then more microwaving is the way to go for best results.
Microwaving burritos is the fastest cooking method when hungery and having limited meal prep time.
Note that microwaving burrito leftovers can sometimes be hazardous because there are higher chances of bacteria growth. Bacteria in the leftovers can cause critical illnesses if not handled carefully and properly stored within 2 hours of being cooked.
How do you keep bean and cheese burritos from getting hard in the microwave?
To keep burritos from getting hard in the microwave, use a damp paper towel to wrap the burrito with before heating. The wetted paper towel will prevent the tortilla shell from drying out.
This works perfectly, and it is recommended that the moisture from paper towel helps the tortilla becoming soft and prevent from getting hard. Also, this helps to avoid too much moisture accumulating in the towel and back to the exterior of the burrito.
Make sure that the burritos are slightly dampened with water, red sauce or salsa, butter, or in a pinch of lard. All these procedures will ensure the softest and delicious burritos.
Take time to closely monitor the burritos in the microwave to ensure that they do not overheat or become mushy in the process. Use short intervals to help to keep burritos from getting hard in the microwave.
If the burrito starts to become too soggy, then change to a dry napkin or remove the paper towel all together and place the burrito directly on the plate for 30 seconds or so.
How long does it take to cook a frozen bean and cheese burrito in the microwave?
On average, it takes approximately 3 to 4 minutes to cook frozen burritos in the microwave. The cooking time depends on the wattage of microwave, size of burrito and how many burritos being microwaved at one time.
Furthermore, the type of burrito including meat-based or vegetarian can affect the cooking time as well.
Always closely monitor it as it cooks to ensure the heat spreads evenly. The reheating process can be repeated for an additional 30 to 60 seconds, and let the burrito sit for 30 seconds before it is removed from the microwave to serve.
Tips for cooking a frozen bean and cheese burrito in the microwave
When cooking frozen burritos in the microwave, the goal is to achieve tender and flavorful meal. To get the intended results, consider following through the provided procedures.
Below are helpful microwave tips to successfully cook a bean and cheese burrito quickly:
- Ensure to place the frozen burrito in the refrigerator to thaw before cooking it in the microwave to shorten the cooking time.
- Cover the frozen burrito loosely with a damp paper towel so the tortilla doesn’t dry out.
- Heated for 30 to 60 second intervals.
- Flip and rotate the burrito on the other side in-between the intervals for best results.
- Microwave one burrito at time. If need to cook two or more, individually wrap them with a damp paper towel and separate from each other to avoid overcrowding or overlap.
- Let the burrito stay in the microwave for 45 seconds before serving to help to disperse the remaining heat in the microwave.
Best way to cook a frozen burrito in the microwave
There are many ways to cook a frozen burrito, and simply placing it in the appliance and walking away is one of the easiest. Microwaving is a safe, quick and easy way to cook a frozen burrito without needing the defrost setting.
To heat up a frozen bean and cheese burrito in the microwave, remove the original package and wrap the burrito with a wetted paper towel. To prevent the tortilla from getting hard, lightly damp the burrito with water and it will not dry out.
Place the wrapped burrito on microwaveable plate and microwave on high for 1 minute at a time.
Afterwards, turn the burrito on the other side and continue on high for an additional minute until the bean and cheese burrito reaches a safe to eat temperature. If necessary, continue flipping and rotating each minute until the desired temp is achieved.
When cooking the burrito in the microwave, ensure that they are flipped for uniform heating. The internal temperature of the burrito must reach 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit for it to be considered safe to consume.
Carefully remove the paper towel and and serve with hot sauce, salsa, and guacamole.
Microwaving Bean and Cheese Burritos: Conclusion
Cooking frozen bean and cheese burritos in the microwave is one of the most convenient and most accessible ways to quench your hunger craving. When you are very hungry and preoccupied with other duties to be completed, microwave reheating is a simple solution.
It is essential to strictly follow the instructions on the package when provided as all burritos are not microwaving in the same way. For instance, some prepackaged burritos recommend that the burrito be microwave in the wrapper with one side opened to vent the steam.
When cooking a burrito in the microwave, follow the specified instructions to have the best outcomes. When instructions are not provided my the manufacture, then let this guide help you.
Cooking burritos in the microwave requires close monitoring to avoid them from becoming hard, overheating or turning soggy.
Start by removing the plastic package from frozen burrito and gently wrap it with a damp paper towel. Place the burrito on plate with microwave safe symbol on it indicating that the dish is microwavable.
Start microwaving on high power for 1 minute. Then, flip on the other side to continue to reheat until desired temperature to serve.
To be considered safe to eat, bean and cheese burritos need to be cooked to an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit according to the USDA.
There you have it, microwaving is the quickest and easiest way to preserve the flavor and taste of a bean and cheese burrito. Use these microwave tips and methods to thoroughly heat up without any cold spots, explosion, or the tortilla getting hard and dried out.