How To Fold A Burrito Like You Work At Chipotle

If you've ever stood in line at Chipotle, you've probably been impressed by the burrito-wrapping skills showcased on the other side of the plexiglass window. No towering mountain of salsa-laden ingredients is too daunting for a worker's expert hands. While some folks might have a natural talent for burrito rolling, certain tricks of the trade make the task smoother, like using a warm tortilla and layering ingredients in the correct order.

When replicating a Chipotle burrito at home, things can get messy. Initially, the mound of goodies on your tortilla fills you with excitement, but then you start feeling overwhelmed. You wonder how they do this at your favorite burrito spot with such confidence. Despite your best efforts, you can end up with a burrito that disintegrates in your hands and turns into a soggy mess on your plate. Thankfully, there are some practical techniques that can help you avoid a burrito breakdown.

For starters, warming up your tortilla is key. At Chipotle, you'll notice that burrito making begins with a special press that gently heats the tortilla, making it more pliable and less likely to tear. You can achieve this at home by microwaving your tortilla for about 30 seconds. To avoid having your tortilla stick to your plate, place it on a clean, dry surface after heating. For additional support, you can place it on aluminum foil or parchment paper.

The next challenge is filling your burrito correctly. Overfill and you'll have a mess, underfill and you'll be underwhelmed. Aim to make a central mound of ingredients with a couple of inches of space around it. Layer strategically, starting with dry, absorbent ingredients like rice, followed by meat, beans, vegetables, cheese, sour cream, and finally salsa.

As @quesadaburritos shows on TikTok, correctly wrapping burritos requires a bit of technique, but it's doable. To wrap, fold the edge of the tortilla closest to you toward the far edge. (If the ends meet with a little room to spare, your filling proportions are just right.) Then, using the closed edges as a barrier, gently coax the fillings toward the center. For a fully enclosed burrito (aka California-style), fold in the sides one at a time before giving it a final roll.

Once you've got the hang of rolling burritos, there's always room to jazz things up a bit more. Our friends at Chipotle have a few things to teach us about this but so does the internet. To get that Chipotle-level variety in your kitchen, play around with your ingredients. Instead of plain white rice, zest it up with some lime and cilantro. And when it comes to proteins, keep things interesting with choices like grilled or braised meats, flaky fish, or shredded tofu. Toss in different salsas and veggies like pickled onions or cowboy caviar for some extra zing in your burrito.

Now, for some cool technical tips to amp up your burrito game. Bloggers like Linley Hanson at The Cheese Knees can coach you through making viral favorites like the Taco Bell Grilled Cheese Burrito. Just heat a nonstick pan with a little oil, sprinkle some cheese to melt, and then gently press your rolled burrito onto it. Boom – you've got yourself an irresistibly cheesy, crispy burrito. And if you're all about convenience, hop on the influencer bandwagon and prep a batch of make-ahead burritos. But hey, if all else fails, there's always the trusty burrito bowl to fall back on.