The history of the Burrito

Burritos are a popular dish in pubs, restaurants and even supermarkets. However, their origins are obscure, and their roots may even be more American than traditionally Mexican.

What is a burrito?

This Mexican dish consists of a soft-shelled tortilla wrap filled with rice, beans and a variety of other ingredients such as vegetables and meat, usually chicken or beef. They're often topped with sauces such as guacamole, salsa or sour cream. Unlike a taco or fajita, both ends of the burrito are closed whereas they are left open when making tacos.

Where was the burrito invented?

Burritos have mostly been created to fuel tourism in Mexico and are actually better thought of as a Tex-Mex or Mexican American dish. Burritos were officially invented in 1895 when they appear in the dictionary as a rolled tortilla. Some say that they were invented during the problems between Mexico and America in the early 1900s when they were then brought into America. The word was popular in the state of Guanajuato, so it is likely that the burritos that we eat in the UK were first made there.

What is the difference between a burrito and a wrap?

A wrap is a key ingredient in a burrito but a burrito is made from a selection of other ingredients such as rice and beans. A wrap doesn't have to have these extra ingredients or even meat and they're normally filled with salad and are much less spicy than the salsa of a burrito. Burritos are also often much larger than the classic wrap.

Related content

If you enjoyed this article and would like more info on travel to Mexico, check out our other posts on the topic

• Visiting Mexico in Summer
• Visiting Mexico in Winter
• Family holidays in Mexico
• What to eat in Mexico
• What to pack for a trip to Mexico
• Staying fit and healthy in Mexico
• The history of Tacos
• Safety trips for travelling in Mexico