Best Tortillas for Burritos Guide

A great burrito starts with the right tortilla. Too small, and your fillings spill out. Too thick, and the tortilla overpowers everything else. The perfect burrito tortilla is large, thin, flexible, and strong enough to hold a pound of delicious filling without tearing.

What Makes a Great Burrito Tortilla

Not all tortillas are suited for burritos. Here's what to look for:

Size (10-14 inches): The tortilla must be large enough to fully enclose your fillings with room for proper folding. Standard burritos need 10-12 inches; mission-style needs 12-14 inches.
Flexibility: The tortilla should fold without cracking. This is why flour tortillas are preferred—they're naturally more pliable than corn, especially when warmed.
Strength: A good burrito tortilla holds together under the weight of rice, beans, meat, and toppings without tearing or becoming soggy too quickly.
Neutral Flavor: Flour tortillas have a mild taste that complements rather than competes with bold burrito fillings.

Tortilla Size Guide by Burrito Type

Breakfast Burritos

8-10 inch tortillas

Lighter fillings like eggs, cheese, and bacon don't need as much surface area. Smaller tortillas create a better ratio.

Standard Burritos

10-12 inch tortillas

The versatile middle ground. Handles rice, beans, meat, cheese, and standard toppings without being overwhelming.

Mission-Style Burritos

12-14 inch tortillas

San Francisco's famous overstuffed burritos need maximum real estate. These hold over a pound of fillings.

Wet Burritos

10-12 inch tortillas

Smothered in sauce and eaten with a fork. Standard size works since you're not carrying the burrito.

Why Not Corn Tortillas?

While corn tortillas are perfect for tacos and enchiladas, they're not ideal for burritos. Corn tortillas are smaller (typically 6 inches), more brittle, and crack easily when folded around large fillings. They also absorb moisture faster, becoming soggy. For the occasional "burrito" craving with corn, try making enchiladas instead.

How to Warm Tortillas for Burritos

Cold tortillas crack. Always warm your tortillas before rolling burritos:

Skillet Method (Best): Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Warm each tortilla for 15-30 seconds per side until soft and pliable with a few light brown spots.
Direct Flame: For gas stoves, briefly wave the tortilla over a low flame for 5-10 seconds per side. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
Microwave: Wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20-30 seconds. Less ideal but works in a pinch.
Keep Warm: Stack warmed tortillas under a clean kitchen towel or in a tortilla warmer while you prepare other tortillas and fillings.

Perfect Burrito Rolling Technique

The difference between a burrito that holds together and one that falls apart is all in the folding:

Place fillings in the center—leave 2-3 inches of space on all sides. A common mistake is overfilling.
Fold the bottom edge up and over the fillings, tucking it slightly under them.
Fold both sides in toward the center, creating a pocket that prevents filling escape.
Roll away from you tightly, keeping the sides tucked in as you go.
Optional: Toast the seam on a hot skillet for 30 seconds to seal the burrito closed.

Common Burrito Tortilla Mistakes

Using cold tortillas: This is the number one cause of torn burritos. Always warm your tortillas.
Overfilling: It's tempting to add more, but overfilled burritos can't fold properly. Use portion control.
Too much liquid: Drain wet ingredients like salsa before adding. Excess liquid makes tortillas soggy and weak.
Wrong size tortilla: Using tortillas too small for your intended fillings. Match your tortilla size to your filling volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size tortillas are best for burritos?

For standard burritos, use 10-12 inch flour tortillas. These provide enough surface area to hold generous fillings while allowing proper folding. For larger "mission-style" burritos, use 12-14 inch tortillas. Smaller 8-inch tortillas work for breakfast burritos with lighter fillings.

Should burritos use flour or corn tortillas?

Flour tortillas are the traditional and practical choice for burritos. They are more pliable, less likely to crack when folded, and can stretch to accommodate large fillings. Corn tortillas are too brittle and small for traditional burritos, though they work for smaller "burrito bowls" or tacos.

How do you keep tortillas from tearing when rolling burritos?

Warm your tortillas before rolling—cold tortillas crack easily. Heat them on a dry skillet for 15-30 seconds per side until pliable. Don't overfill—leave 2-3 inches of space at the edges. Fold the bottom up first, then fold in the sides before rolling away from you.

Why are burrito tortillas so big?

Burrito tortillas need to be large (10-14 inches) to fully enclose substantial fillings like rice, beans, meat, cheese, and toppings. The large size also allows for proper folding technique where the sides fold in and the bottom folds up to create a sealed pocket that holds everything inside.

Best Tortillas for Burritos