Tacos and burritos have long been considered Mexican food, and many restaurants have their spin on these classic dishes. But are tacos better than burritos, and if so, what are the differences and similarities between the two? How will you choose between them?
There are several differences and similarities between burritos and tacos. While both can be customized to your preferences, tacos are made with corn tortillas, while burritos are made with flour tortillas. Both have origins in Mexico, but burritos didn’t appear until sometime in the 20th century.
Tacos vs. Burritos: A Comparison
| SIMILARITIES | |
| 1. | Both are customizable. |
| 2. | Both are simple to make. |
| 3. | Both are inexpensive per serving. |
| 4. | Both have Mexican origins. |
| 5. | Both use tortillas as a base. |
| 6. | Both pack a lot of flavor in a single package. |
| DIFFERENCES | |
| 1. | One burrito can be a full meal, while several tacos are needed to make a full meal. |
| 2. | Typically, tacos are made with corn tortillas, while burritos with flour tortillas. |
| 3. | Burritos can be more convenient than tacos. |
| 4. | Tacos are more of a ‘street food’ when compared to burritos. |
| 5. | Frozen burritos taste better than frozen tacos. |
| 6. | Tacos are more visual than burritos. |
If you love burritos and tacos, you will be interested in learning more about your favorite foods.
Similarities Between Tacos and Burritos
1. Both Are Customizable.
Tacos and burritos can be made to your preferences. Are you intolerant to dairy? Then beef, lettuce, and tomatoes, as well as other vegetables, can go on your taco, and it will still taste good. Tacos can also be made vegetarian with beans.
Burritos can also be made according to your food needs. Dairy-free burritos can have steaks, beans, and guacamole, while vegetarian burritos can have beans and plenty of vegetables wrapped up in a warm tortilla.
2. Both Are Simple to Make.
Burritos and tacos are simple to make and don’t take long from order to table in restaurants. If you make burritos or tacos from home, all you need to make is the protein, then let your family put together their creations.
Tacos need a few simple ingredients and take minutes to prepare. Burritos may take a few more minutes to put together, but supper can be on the table in a few minutes if you have everything ready ahead of time.
3. Both Are Inexpensive per Serving.
Per serving, tacos and burritos are an economical choice to feed your family and save money. On average, frozen burritos from the grocery store costs under $5 per bag of ten burritos. When making burritos from scratch, they may be a bit more per serving than frozen ones.
Tacos involve several more components, including the shells and ground beef. Per servings, tacos can cost under $2; a great budget meal, especially if you have a large family.
4. Both Have Mexican Origins.
Both the burrito and the taco have Mexican origins. The burrito got its start in the 20th century in Mexico, but the taco came into Mexican cuisine about a century earlier.
In the US, burritos became popular in a Spanish restaurant in the 1930s in California, and they were based on the humble taco. In Spanish, Burrito means “little donkey,” and it is named for the man who used a donkey to cart around his food cart that sold tacos.
5. Both Use Tortillas as a Base.
Both burritos and tacos use tortillas as the base. Corn tortillas are used for tacos, while flour tortillas are used for burritos. Tortillas can be hard to replace in a low-carb or keto diet, though people have tried. No matter how hard they try, they cannot replace the tortillas as they define burritos and tacos.
Lettuce wraps can work for tacos if they are large enough and don’t fall apart before you can eat them. Other people try to use egg white tortillas for burritos, but this isn’t the same, and while they can be decent substitutes, they still aren’t the same for burritos.
6. Both Pack a Lot of Flavor in a Single Package.
Burritos and tacos are single packages that pack a lot of flavor and ingredients into the tortillas. Ingredients like seasoned beef, sharp cheddar cheese, crisp lettuce, and juicy tomatoes work together to make the taco sing with flavor.
Burrito ingredients, like refried beans, carne asada steak, white cheese, and a creamy sauce all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla can create a mouthfeel that makes most people crave burritos, sometimes daily.
Differences Between Tacos and Burritos
1. Burritos Can Be a Full Meal.
Burritos are considered a full meal because they are much larger than tacos, and depending on the size, one would be enough to fill up a normal person. Tacos, on the other hand, are light and require three to five for the average person to feel satisfied.
The reason for the discrepancy is that burritos are made with flour tortillas larger in diameter and can be filled with heavier foods like steak and other ingredients. Tacos are usually made with corn tortillas and do not stand up to heavy toppings.
2. Tacos Typically Are Made With Corn Tortillas.
Corn tortillas are the only tortillas that Mexicans use for tacos, even though some US places use small flour tortillas for tacos. Because corn tortillas break easily, they don’t stand up to heavy, wet fillings and will break shortly after being served. However, burritos use a larger flour tortilla that stands up to a mess of ingredients and folded tightly to hold everything inside.
3. Burritos Are More Convenient.
With tacos, they need to be eaten right when they are made, or they will fall apart. But with burritos, they can be made ahead of time, wrapped in foil, and sent with your spouse or children for lunches. Or if you go through a drive-through and get burritos, you can eat them in the car a lot easier than you could with tacos.
Burritos are also better picnic food than tacos unless you bring the taco ingredients in separate containers.
4. Tacos Are More of a ‘Street Food’ When Compared to Burritos.
Although tacos can be elevated to fine dining in many ways, ‘street tacos’ remain highly popular, especially in its country of origin. Burritos, however, can either be street food or fine dining, because ingredients like grilled Angus steak, gouda cheese, and a wealth of sauces can be wrapped up in a warm tortilla. The flour tortilla also soaks up the elite sauces, making the burritos taste better the longer they sit.
5. Even Frozen Burritos Can Still Taste Good.
When you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and the only place to get food is at a gas station, frozen burritos can still be a good meal. Tacos, on the other hand, only taste good when fresh and don’t taste the same when microwaved from frozen.
Frozen burritos can also be baked with an enchilada sauce and cheese, elevating the burritos to enchiladas for an elegant meal.
6. You’ll Notice When Something Is Amiss on Tacos.
Burritos can hide a lot of things, such as when you order a burrito with no cheese, and then find they added cheese once you take a bite. Tacos, on the other hand, are out in the open, and you can see if something is wrong or missing. If you asked for no cheese, and there is cheese, you will be able to see it right away.
Tacos have transparency that burritos do not, and that can help you avoid any ingredient that you are allergic to.
All things considered
Whether you’re a burrito fan or a fan of the taco, the differences and similarities between them are fascinating. Both can be made healthy or unhealthy and can satisfy even the most ravenous hunger.
Burritos are more popular in the US than in Mexico, while tacos and other authentic Mexican dishes are more popular in Mexico. Northern Mexico, however, enjoys the burrito almost as much as in the US. But, in the US, both foods are mostly Tex-Mex these days, due to heavy American influence.
Regardless of your favorite one, they are both customizable and can be made according to your tastes and needs.
This article was co-authored by our team of writers and editors who share one thing in common: their passion for food and drinks!
JC Franco
JC Franco works as a New York-based editor at Foodrinke, driven by his lifelong love for food. His culinary journey began in childhood, as he eagerly assisted his mother with her local sandwich and bakery business, relishing every opportunity to sample her creations. Known among family and friends as an easy eater, JC has a particular affinity for Chinese, Italian, Mexican, and Peruvian cuisine. At Foodrinke, he channels his passion for food into his work, sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge with readers.
