If you’ve ever been to Mexican restaurants, you’ll always notice that the menu is packed with many choices. Thus, it can get confusing for someone who visited these places for the first time. For instance, if you see enchiladas and burritos, you may wonder about each one and if they are two different things. Thus, you may ask:
What is the difference between enchiladas and burritos? Enchiladas and burritos differ in many ways. For instance, enchiladas use corn tortillas, while burritos are often made with flour. In addition, enchiladas are enjoyed with forks while burritos are handheld. The sizes are also different, and a single burrito is equal to at least three enchiladas.
While it might seem that all of these types of Mexican food are the same, the truth is they can be very different. So, this article will look at two more popular types of Mexican cuisine. But, first, let us explain the difference between burritos and enchiladas!
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Table of Contents
- What is an enchilada?
- What is a burrito?
- What is the difference between enchilada and burrito?
- What ingredients do you use for cooking enchiladas?
- What ingredients do you use for cooking burritos?
- Which is better, enchilada or burrito?
- Enchilada vs burrito – calories
- Is burrito and enchilada sauce the same?
- Is a wet burrito the same as an enchilada?
- Summary
- Resources
What is an enchilada?
An enchilada is a corn tortilla wrapped around a filling and is served with a delicious sauce. Known as enchiladas, they have originated in Mexican cuisine and can be filled with several different ingredients such as meat, cheese, beans, potatoes, vegetables, or a combination of them.
In terms of enchilada sauces, spicy sauces, such as salsa Roja, different moles, and cheese-based sauces, such as chili con queso, are examples. For Mexicans, leftovers are a great way to use them since they can be made into enchiladas.
As far as we know, the first food was most likely a tortilla covered in chili sauce. While this dish has been famous as time has passed, it has nonetheless been an essential part of the culture.
What is a burrito?
Traditionally, burritos are Mexican food made from a tortilla sheet and a filling. It is the filling inside the tortilla, and the tortilla is the wrapper that surrounds it. Tortillas are wheat-flour roti that is thin and round.
Among the meats, you can use in burrito filling are chicken, beef, beef, hog, and mutton. In addition, you can add vegetables such as beans and peas. The rice filler is also applied with sour cream after the rice is cooked, along with using cooked rice for the filler.
With the addition of hot sauces and spices, the ingredients are given a savory flavor. Some people sprinkle cheese on the mixture before wrapping it up to add to the flavor.
What is the difference between enchilada and burrito?
Below are some of the differences between an enchilada and a burrito. Then, you can look to see how one differs from the other.
Tortilla wraps
There are several differences between enchiladas and burritos, but one of the main ones is that enchiladas are usually made from corn tortillas, and burritos are made from flour tortillas.
Serving method
Enchiladas are served on a plate and are meant to be enjoyed with a fork. On the other hand, burritos are often served handheld and meant to be enjoyed through bites.
If you are eating out at a restaurant, you may find that enchiladas are often served with extra side dishes, and you may even find more rice and more salsa on the plate.
Burritos are almost always served straight up and eaten right out of the wrapper when it comes to burritos.
Serving sizes
There is a significant size difference between enchiladas and burritos. Therefore, to get the same amount of food as what is offered in a burrito, you need at least three or more enchiladas.
Sauces
Both enchiladas and burritos have sauce. However, you can find more sauce in enchiladas than in burritos.
What ingredients do you use for cooking enchiladas?
Enchiladas are corn tortillas filled with a delicious sauce and rolled around a filling. A Mexican dish, enchiladas can be filled with various ingredients, such as meat, cheese, legumes, potatoes, veggies, or a combination of these items.
Enchilada sauces include spicy sauces, such as salsa Roja, moles, and cheese-based sauces, such as chili con queso. Mexicans use leftovers to make enchiladas. The dish has nevertheless become a famous one through the course of history.
What ingredients do you use for cooking burritos?
The tortilla wrap you use when making burritos is generally made of flour. Meat is usually used to fill burritos, including beef, pork, chicken, and mutton. You can also add beans and peas to some fillings. You can also add rice and other things to the filling.
In addition, burritos are flavored with sauces and spices. Cheese is usually added to burritos for flavor, but it is optional.
Which is better, enchilada or burrito?
Although there are only slight differences between burritos and enchiladas in the fillings, those differences make these two dishes unique.
Burritos made with flour tortillas are good if you prefer them. Order the enchiladas for those who enjoy corn (which is a traditional Mexican dish).
The difference between enchilada sauce and burrito sauce is often the deciding factor. It all boils down to your preference. Some people like their tortillas smothered in sauce like an enchilada, while others prefer a nicely wrapped tortilla that you could quickly eat with their hands.
Enchilada vs burrito – calories
If you compare the calorie count of enchiladas with that of burritos, the burrito has a higher calorie count. However, it’s important to note that a hundred grams of beef burrito have 238 calories, while a hundred grams of beef enchiladas has 168 calories.
The burrito has more than one hundred calories than the enchilada. However, the difference will be more pronounced with larger serving size.
Is burrito and enchilada sauce the same?
No, burritos and enchiladas’ sauces are not the same. In general, both dishes have sauce. However, enchiladas differ in how the sauce is poured on top and smothered. Additionally, this sauce is usually green or red.
On the other hand, burrito sauces are usually made for dipping. Since it’s enjoyed handheld, you’ll enjoy the sauces by dipping.
Is a wet burrito the same as an enchilada?
Generally speaking, corn tortillas are used for enchiladas, and large flour tortillas are used for wet burritos. Secondly, wet burritos should be completely closed, and enchiladas should be folded with the ends open.
In both dishes, the sauce is added, but how it is added is different. For example, wet Burritos are cooked with sauces, and then sauce (any sauce) is poured on top after baking (usually green or red sauce).
Summary
In a nutshell, enchiladas and burritos are very different. Enchiladas, for instance, are usually made with corn tortillas, whereas burritos are made with flour. Also, while burritos are typically eaten with a hand, enchiladas are typically eaten with a fork. In addition to the different sizes, a single burrito is the same as at least three enchiladas.
Burritos and enchiladas have only slight differences in the fillings, but those differences set the two dishes apart. If you prefer flour tortillas, you can eat burritos with them. Enchiladas made with corn (a traditional Mexican dish) are an excellent choice for those who enjoy corn. It’s also a deciding factor whether you want to eat with forks or enjoy handheld food.
Related:
Resources
Image credits – Canva
