How Many Calories Are in a Burrito from a Mexican Restaurant?

December 19, 2025 •

3 min read

The average restaurant burrito can contain upwards of 900 to 1,300 calories, often representing over half of a person's recommended daily intake. Understanding how many calories are in a burrito is crucial for managing your diet, especially given the vast differences based on ingredients and restaurant portions.

Quick Summary

A standard restaurant burrito can range widely in calorie count, with the final number heavily dependent on ingredient choices and portion sizes. The tortilla, meat type, beans, rice, cheese, and fatty toppings all play a significant role in the total caloric load. Understanding these variables empowers diners to make more informed choices.

Key Points

Average Range: A standard Mexican restaurant burrito can easily contain 900 to 1,300+ calories, making it a substantial portion of a daily intake.
Ingredient Impact: The calorie count is heavily influenced by the type of tortilla, meat, and high-fat toppings like cheese and sour cream.
High-Calorie Items: Large flour tortillas and fatty meats like carnitas or barbacoa are among the highest calorie components.
Healthy Swaps: Choosing a burrito bowl, using grilled protein, and adding plenty of fresh vegetables and salsa can dramatically reduce calories.
Customization is Key: Because burritos are highly customizable, you have significant control over the nutritional content with each order.
Estimation is Possible: Without nutrition facts, you can estimate calories by breaking down the dish by its individual components.

The Surprising Calorie Count of a Restaurant Burrito

Many diners are shocked to learn just how many calories are in a burrito from a Mexican restaurant. Unlike the more modest, homemade versions, the generous portion sizes and rich ingredients commonly found in restaurant offerings can push the calorie count well over 1,000. A large flour tortilla, for example, can be a significant source of calories before any fillings are even added. Adding layers of high-fat ingredients like cheese, sour cream, and guacamole can quickly escalate the total further. Fast-casual chains and local eateries alike often pack their burritos with multiple servings of rice, beans, and meat, creating a dense, calorie-heavy meal.

Breaking Down the Ingredients

The total caloric load of a burrito is a sum of its parts. Each ingredient contributes a distinct amount, and the choices you make can significantly impact the final number. A basic flour tortilla alone can add over 200 calories, with larger versions adding even more. The protein choice is another major factor, as different meats have varying fat contents. Toppings like cheese and sour cream are calorie-dense, while fresh vegetables and salsa offer flavor with minimal calories. Even seemingly minor additions like extra sauces or larger portions of rice can add up quickly.

How to Estimate Your Burrito's Calories

Since local restaurants may not provide detailed nutritional information, you can learn to make a more accurate estimate by breaking down the burrito by ingredient. Start by estimating the size of the tortilla, then factor in the protein and carb sources. Finally, add in the calories for any dairy products or other toppings. This approach can help you make more conscious decisions, such as opting for grilled chicken instead of carnitas, or substituting sour cream for extra salsa.

Component-Based Burrito Calorie Estimation:

Tortilla: Start with the base, which can be 200-400 calories depending on the size.
Protein: Estimate the type and portion size. Beef and carnitas are often higher in calories than grilled chicken or shrimp.
Beans and Rice: A standard portion of both can add another 200-300 calories.
Cheese and Sour Cream: These fatty additions can contribute 100-200+ calories each, depending on the serving size.
Guacamole: While offering healthy fats, a generous scoop can add 100-200 calories.
Veggies and Salsa: Load up on these! They provide flavor, vitamins, and fiber for minimal calories.

Making Healthier Burrito Choices

It is entirely possible to enjoy a delicious Mexican restaurant burrito without consuming a massive number of calories. Making small, strategic changes to your order can dramatically reduce the total count. One of the most effective strategies is to opt for a "burrito bowl" by skipping the high-calorie flour tortilla entirely. Choosing leaner protein options and swapping high-fat toppings for fresh alternatives are also excellent ways to create a more balanced and nutritious meal. Don't be afraid to customize your order to suit your dietary goals.

Burrito Calorie Comparison Table


Ingredient/Item	Lower-Calorie Option	Estimated Calories	Higher-Calorie Option	Estimated Calories
Vessel	Burrito Bowl (no tortilla)	0	Large Flour Tortilla	300+
Protein	Grilled Chicken (4 oz)	~272	Carnitas (4 oz)	~274
Carbs	Black Beans (4 oz)	~104	Mexican Rice (4 oz)	~122
Topping 1	Fresh Salsa (2 tbsp)	~15	Sour Cream (2 tbsp)	~46
Topping 2	Lettuce	~5	Shredded Cheese (1/4 cup)	~100

Conclusion

The number of calories in a burrito from a Mexican restaurant is not fixed, but rather depends on a variety of factors, including portion size and ingredient selection. While a fully loaded burrito can easily exceed 1,000 calories, understanding the caloric contribution of each component empowers you to make informed decisions. By opting for a burrito bowl, choosing lean proteins, and moderating high-fat toppings, you can enjoy this classic dish while staying aligned with your dietary goals. The customizable nature of burritos is their greatest strength, allowing you to tailor them for taste and nutrition simultaneously.

For more information on making healthy choices when dining out, consult nutrition guides from reputable health organizations like the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, while many are high in calories due to large portions and rich ingredients, the exact count depends on how it's prepared and customized. By choosing healthier ingredients, you can significantly reduce the caloric load.

A large flour tortilla and fatty meats like carnitas or steak are often the highest-calorie individual components. Creamy additions like sour cream, cheese, and guacamole also significantly increase the total calories.

Opt for a burrito bowl (without the tortilla), choose lean protein like grilled chicken or shrimp, and load up on fresh vegetables and salsa. Skip or limit calorie-dense additions like cheese and sour cream.

A burrito bowl typically reduces the calorie count by eliminating the tortilla. However, if you load it with rice, fatty meats, cheese, and sour cream, it can still be high in calories. Focus on a balanced mix of lean protein and vegetables.

Yes, brown rice typically has slightly fewer calories than standard Mexican rice, which is often cooked with oil. Four ounces of brown rice has around 108 calories, compared to 122 for Mexican rice.

A couple of tablespoons of guacamole can add about 45 calories, while a tablespoon of sour cream adds roughly 23 calories. Restaurant portions are often larger, meaning these can add 100-200 calories or more combined.

Yes, you can. The key is moderation and customization. By making smart ingredient choices and controlling your portion size (or saving half for later), a burrito can fit into a balanced diet.