How many calories are in an average burrito?

November 24, 2025 •

4 min read

The calorie count for a burrito can fluctuate dramatically, ranging from under 300 to well over 1,000 calories depending on its ingredients and size. This wide variance means understanding exactly how many calories are in an average burrito is far more complex than citing a single number.

Quick Summary

The total calorie count of a burrito depends heavily on its size and contents, particularly the type of meat, cheese, rice, and high-fat sauces. Calorie estimates vary widely, from smaller, healthier versions to large, fully loaded fast-food options.

Key Points

Extreme Variation: A burrito's calorie content is not standard and can range from 300 to over 1,000, depending on ingredients and size.
Fast Food vs. Homemade: Fast-food burritos are often much higher in calories than homemade versions due to portion size and ingredient choices.
Top Calorie Culprits: The tortilla, fatty meats, and heavy additions like cheese and sour cream are the biggest contributors to a burrito's high-calorie count.
Ingredient Impact: Opting for lean protein (chicken over beef), less cheese, and more veggies can significantly lower the overall calorie total.
Healthier Alternatives: Substituting full-fat sour cream with Greek yogurt and using a smaller tortilla are effective strategies for reducing calories.

The Calorie Conundrum: Why There's No Single Answer

Unlike a standard apple or egg, a burrito lacks a uniform nutritional profile. Its calorie content is a direct reflection of its size and the specific ingredients used. The average burrito is a myth, a culinary chameleon that changes with every scoop of filling. A simple bean and cheese option differs vastly from a carne asada burrito loaded with rice, sour cream, and guacamole. Understanding this variation is the first step toward managing your calorie intake when enjoying this popular meal.

The Major Calorie Contributors in a Burrito

Several key components drive the total calorie count of a burrito:

The Tortilla: The foundation of the burrito is a major source of calories. A large, 12-inch flour tortilla can contain over 300 calories alone. Smaller, low-carb, or whole-wheat options offer alternatives with fewer calories.
Meat and Protein: The type and quantity of protein significantly impact the final number. Fatty meats like ground beef or pork carnitas are far more calorie-dense than lean options such as grilled chicken or vegetarian protein sources like black beans.
Rice and Beans: While beans are a healthy source of fiber and protein, the preparation method matters. Refried beans, for instance, are often cooked with lard, increasing their fat and calorie content. Similarly, a heavy serving of rice adds substantial carbohydrates.
High-Fat Toppings: Ingredients like sour cream, shredded cheese, and guacamole, while delicious, add a significant number of calories and fat. Even a few tablespoons can quickly inflate the total.

Homemade vs. Fast-Food Burrito Calories

There is a huge nutritional divide between a homemade burrito and one from a major fast-food chain. When you prepare a burrito at home, you have complete control over the portion sizes and ingredients. You can opt for a smaller tortilla, leaner protein, less cheese, and load it with fresh vegetables. Conversely, fast-food burritos are often designed for maximum flavor and portion size, which translates to a higher calorie density.

Fast-Food Burrito Calorie Examples

Chipotle's Chicken Burrito: A fully loaded version can top 1,300 calories with all the fixings, including cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.
Del Taco's Macho Combo Burrito: This large option can contain nearly 1,000 calories.
Taco Bell's Beefy 5-Layer Burrito: A more moderate, but still substantial, fast-food option is closer to 490 calories.

Burrito Calorie Comparison: A Side-by-Side Look


Burrito Type	Estimated Calories (Approximate)	Key Ingredients	Calorie Factors
Simple Bean & Cheese	300-450	Beans, cheese, small tortilla	Smaller size, minimal added fats
Standard Chicken	450-700	Chicken, rice, beans, salsa	Leaner protein, but can increase with rice and added sauces
Large Carne Asada	700-1000+	Steak, rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, guac	Higher fat meat, large portion sizes, heavy toppings
Vegetarian/Veggie Ground	400-600	Veggie ground, rice, beans, toppings	Can be lower, but depends heavily on high-fat toppings
Breakfast Burrito	250-600+	Eggs, sausage, cheese, potato	Varies greatly based on lean sausage vs. fatty sausage and cheese volume

How to Build a Healthier, Lower-Calorie Burrito

To enjoy a burrito without overdoing it on calories, making a few smart substitutions can have a big impact. Here is a simple list of changes that can help you reduce the overall calorie count:

Choose a Smaller Tortilla: Opt for a smaller flour tortilla or a low-carb, whole-wheat alternative. A tortilla swap is one of the easiest ways to save calories.
Go Lean on Protein: Choose grilled chicken or fish, or even plant-based protein like black beans or lentils, over fatty ground beef or pork.
Load Up on Veggies: Increase the volume with fresh vegetables like lettuce, onions, and bell peppers. This adds fiber and nutrients without a significant calorie increase.
Control the Cheese: Use reduced-fat cheese or simply use less of it. A small amount of strong cheese still delivers plenty of flavor.
Substitute Sour Cream: Swap full-fat sour cream for nonfat Greek yogurt, which provides a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture with significantly fewer calories.
Practice Portion Control: Be mindful of how much rice and beans you add. A little goes a long way. This is also where building a burrito at home gives you an advantage over restaurant versions that often overload on these ingredients.
Skip the Extra Sauces: Many commercial sauces are high in calories and sodium. Stick to fresh pico de gallo or a light, homemade salsa.

Conclusion

Determining how many calories are in an average burrito is impossible without knowing the specific ingredients and portion sizes. The caloric range is vast, from modest vegetarian options to extravagant, oversized fast-food meals that can contain over half your daily recommended calories. By understanding which components contribute the most calories and making conscious choices, you can build a healthier burrito. Opting for leaner proteins, reduced-fat dairy, and smaller portions of rice while maximizing vegetable content allows you to enjoy this versatile meal without derailing your nutritional goals.

MEL Magazine's Burrito Calorie Breakdown provides a great breakdown of individual ingredient calorie counts.

Frequently Asked Questions

A small bean and cheese burrito, especially a frozen or homemade version with modest portions, can contain between 250 and 450 calories.

A large, fast-food chicken burrito with rice, beans, cheese, and sour cream can easily exceed 600-700 calories, and can go well over 1,000 depending on the specific ingredients and chain.

Yes, swapping a standard large flour tortilla (200-300+ calories) for a low-carb or smaller alternative can save over 100 calories, making a significant impact on the total.

Nonfat Greek yogurt is an excellent, low-calorie alternative to sour cream that provides a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor.

Not necessarily, but they give you full control. By using leaner meats, less cheese, and more vegetables, you can create a healthier, lower-calorie burrito at home compared to a typical fast-food version.

Burrito bowls often have fewer calories than their tortilla-wrapped counterparts because they eliminate the large flour tortilla. However, adding lots of cheese, sour cream, and other fatty toppings can still make a bowl high in calories.

To lower calories in a beef burrito, use lean ground beef, reduce the amount of cheese, swap sour cream for Greek yogurt, and pack it with extra lettuce and salsa.