Rating: 3.70
(72)

Beef and Bean Chimichangas

October 14, 2025

Beef and Bean Chimichangas are a Tex-Mex classic that combine all the best flavors of a hearty burrito with the crispy crunch of deep-fried perfection. Golden on the outside and bursting with a rich, savory filling, these chimichangas are pure comfort food. Each bite delivers a satisfying mix of tender beef, creamy refried beans, melted cheese, and warm spices, wrapped snugly in a flour tortilla and fried until crisp.

The secret to a great chimichanga lies in its filling. Ground beef is browned and seasoned with chili powder, cumin, garlic, and paprika, creating a flavorful base that pairs beautifully with smooth refried beans. Some versions also include diced onions, bell peppers, or jalapeños for added texture and depth. The combination is rich yet balanced, offering both comfort and a little kick of spice. Once wrapped in a tortilla, the chimichanga is fried or air-fried until golden and crisp, sealing in all the savory goodness.

Chimichangas are incredibly versatile and easy to customize. You can mix in black beans or corn for extra heartiness, add rice for a more filling meal, or top the finished dish with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for extra freshness. Many people love to smother them in enchilada sauce or queso dip, turning a handheld snack into a full, indulgent dinner.

What makes Beef and Bean Chimichangas truly special is the contrast of textures and flavors. The crunchy tortilla shell gives way to a warm, flavorful interior that’s both creamy and meaty. They can be enjoyed as a casual weeknight dinner, a fun weekend indulgence, or a party favorite that everyone loves.

Beyond their taste, chimichangas celebrate the playful side of Tex-Mex cuisine, taking familiar ingredients like beef, beans, and tortillas and transforming them into something crispy, golden, and irresistible. Whether paired with a side of rice, fresh pico de gallo, or a simple salad, Beef and Bean Chimichangas deliver bold flavor and pure satisfaction. They’re a reminder that sometimes, the best meals are the ones you can eat with your hands and enjoy down to the last crunchy bite.

Beef and Bean Chimichangas
Beef and Bean Chimichangas
3.70 from 72 votes
A delicious Mexican-inspired meal featuring crispy fried tortillas filled with a savory beef and bean mixture.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef lean
  • 1 can refried beans 15 ounces
  • 1 packet taco seasoning 1 ounce
  • 8 pieces tortillas large, flour
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 cups oil for frying
  • 1/2 cup sour cream for serving
  • 1/2 cup salsa for serving

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
  • Add the refried beans and taco seasoning to the beef, stirring to combine. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes.
  • Place a spoonful of the beef and bean mixture onto each tortilla, sprinkle with cheddar cheese, and roll them up tightly.
  • In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Carefully place the rolled tortillas in the oil and fry until golden brown on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
  • Remove chimichangas from the oil and drain on paper towels. Serve with sour cream and salsa.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 20gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 600IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg
Calories: 450kcal
Meal Type: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: beef, mexican food, recipe
Cooking Method: Baked
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar john.bradtke2013 says:

    3 stars
    Followed the recipe but I burnt my first batch. Patience is key, I guess. Still, they tasted great!

  2. User avatar Draugr Scourge says:

    4 stars
    Quick and easy! Perfect for busy week nights. Thumbs up!

    1. User avatar nathanial.raynor33 says:

      3 stars
      Uhh, be careful with that much oil, it ain’t healthy. I prefer baking them.

    2. User avatar esteban.dicki76 says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree! These are a lifesaver for busy nights. Just made them last week!

  3. User avatar tempie.kutch says:

    2 stars
    Too much oil! I didn’t like how greasy they turned out.

  4. User avatar norman.prohaska24 says:

    3 stars
    Why do you fry it? Can’t you just bake them? Seems unhealthy.

  5. User avatar elvis.ernser2 says:

    2 stars
    Are you sure this is authentic? My grandma would never approve of these!

    1. User avatar donald.kulas28 says:

      5 stars
      Authentic? Who cares! This recipe sounds delicious anyway. 😋

  6. User avatar jared.barton94 says:

    3 stars
    I tried making these but I think I put too much seasoning. They were a bit salty. Anyone else had this issue?

  7. 3 stars
    Not bad, but kinda bland. Needs more spice for my taste.

  8. User avatar liberal.hero says:

    4 stars
    I made these with chicken instead and they were just as good! So you can switch it up!

  9. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! My family loved it, will definitely make again.

  10. 5 stars
    Chimichangas are the best! Yum!

  11. 2 stars
    I tried this recipe and the beef was way too greasy! How can you cook it without making it swim in oil?

  12. User avatar santo.reinger says:

    1 star
    Chimichangas? Never heard of those before. Sounds fancy but I just wanna eat.

    1. User avatar kathrine.bechtelar says:

      5 stars
      Chimichangas are delicious! You should definitely give them a try. They’re basically deep-fried burritos! Yum!

  13. 5 stars
    Yum! I didn’t have all the ingredients but still made it with what I had. Definitely a keeper!

    1. 5 stars
      That sounds awesome! It’s great to hear you were able to improvise. Cooking’s all about being creative! 😀

  14. User avatar MAGA2024.Trumpster says:

    5 stars
    These chimichangas are easy and super tasty! My whole family loved them.

  15. User avatar hilton.lueilwitz2005 says:

    4 stars
    Yum! Can I use chicken instead of beef? I don’t eat beef much.

    1. 5 stars
      Yeah, chicken should work just fine! Just make sure to cook it all the way through. Enjoy!

  16. User avatar jennifer.maggio16 says:

    1 star
    This recipe was a pain to follow. Too much frying and the oil splattered everywhere. Not making this again.

    1. User avatar nydia.cummerata1991 says:

      3 stars
      Come on, it ain’t that bad. Just gotta be careful with the oil. Delicious recipe, worth the mess!

    2. User avatar kristel.weber93 says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! Frying just makes such a mess. I prefer baking them, way easier!

  17. User avatar karoline.gulgowski says:

    2 stars
    Followed the recipe but ended up with a mess in the kitchen. Not impressed.

    1. User avatar bettie.pollich says:

      3 stars
      A mess? That’s weird. This recipe is usually quite easy. Did you follow the steps really? 🤔

    2. User avatar kacie.jenkins says:

      4 stars
      Sorry to hear that! Maybe the oil was too hot or something? These can be tricky if you’re new to frying.

  18. User avatar wellRespected says:

    5 stars
    Do they freeze well? I want to make a bunch for meal prep.

  19. User avatar Super Saiyan Blue Vegeta says:

    2 stars
    Chimichanga?? Never heard of it. Why not just make a burrito? 🤷‍♂️

  20. User avatar majorie.okeefe9 says:

    5 stars
    These chimichangas are the bomb! Just like the ones I had in Mexico. So good!

  21. User avatar christoper.hintz25 says:

    4 stars
    So easy to make! My kids loved them! I used black beans instead of refried beans, still yum!

    1. User avatar rayford.crona says:

      5 stars
      That’s awesome to hear! I love how versatile recipes can be. Black beans are a healthier choice too! 💚

  22. User avatar elton.bruen8 says:

    2 stars
    I don’t know if I did something wrong but mine turned out soggy..

  23. 3 stars
    I thought chimichangas were supposed to be crispy! Mine were more like burritos. 🙁

    1. User avatar Ford Prefect says:

      4 stars
      Sounds like you might not have fried them long enough. They should be crispy if done right! Give it another try! 😊

  24. User avatar jacques.kirlin42 says:

    2 stars
    Honestly, it was too salty with the seasoning. I suggest using half a packet.

    1. User avatar cassie.witting32 says:

      4 stars
      I think you might’ve just used too much seasoning. I usually use a little less and it comes out great!

  25. User avatar bennie.ullrich says:

    5 stars
    OMG, these are the best! My husband said they taste just like the ones from that fancy restaurant!

  26. 3 stars
    Too greasy for my liking, I think I should’ve baked them instead of frying. Only giving 3 stars.

  27. User avatar dorthey.bartoletti1981 says:

    5 stars
    5 stars all the way! I can’t believe how easy this was to make. Thanks for sharing!

    1. User avatar ervin.mcglynn29 says:

      5 stars
      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! The frying part really makes them crispy. Did you use any toppings?

    2. 2 stars
      Easy? Really? Mine fell apart and tasted bland. Frugally speaking, lots of cans were used. Disappointed! 😒

  28. User avatar eugena.morar1 says:

    5 stars
    These chimichangas are delicious! My family loved them. Will definitely make again.

  29. 5 stars
    So easy to make! I was surprised they turn out this good! 😍

    1. User avatar anastasia.mcdermott25 says:

      5 stars
      I’m glad to hear that! They really are so delicious and simple to make. Perfect for a weeknight dinner! 👍

  30. User avatar christie.glover71 says:

    1 star
    I don’t know, my kids didn’t touch these. They prefer pizza. 1 star.

  31. 4 stars
    Good recipe but I added black beans instead of refried. Was still okay I guess.

  32. User avatar anonymous_hacker says:

    4 stars
    Took a bit longer than expected, but I think I might’ve used the wrong tortillas. They still tasted good! 4/5 for sure.

  33. User avatar Death Hound says:

    1 star
    Too much oil for me, I felt sick after eating. Not making again. 🤢

    1. User avatar Norris Bernier says:

      4 stars
      I think the oil is necessary for frying! But you could always try baking them instead. 🤷‍♂️

  34. User avatar Super Saiyan 2 Gohan says:

    2 stars
    Ugh, mine fell apart while frying. What did I do wrong? 😩

  35. User avatar Effrafax of Wug says:

    3 stars
    I dunno. Seems kinda greasy to me. Shouldn’t they be baked instead of fried?

  36. User avatar basementDweller says:

    4 stars
    My kids devoured them! I added some jalapeños for a kick.

  37. 5 stars
    Yummm! So good, I added jalapeños to spice them up a bit. Best idea ever! 5 stars.

  38. User avatar reginald.crooks88 says:

    4 stars
    Just made these for the Super Bowl, big hit! But I used turkey instead of beef. Still yummy!

    1. User avatar mathWizard says:

      3 stars
      Turkey? Really? I dunno, isn’t beef kinda the whole point of chimichangas? 🤔

    2. User avatar Genghis Khan says:

      5 stars
      Using turkey sounds like a smart twist! I’ll definitely try that next time. Glad it was a big hit!

  39. User avatar Super Saiyan Blue Goku says:

    2 stars
    Can you really call these chimichangas if there’s no green sauce? Not convinced. I’ll stick to my traditional recipe. 2 stars.

  40. User avatar tess.hessel28 says:

    5 stars
    These chimichangas were delish! My family loved them. Will make again!

  41. User avatar tissues_with_issues says:

    3 stars
    I don’t get why you have to fry them. Can’t I just bake? Seems healthier.

  42. User avatar fallon.armstrong says:

    5 stars
    These chimichangas are AMAZING! I served them at a family gathering and they were gone in minutes! Definitely a 5-star dish!

  43. 3 stars
    I don’t eat beef, can you use chicken instead? Not sure if it will taste the same…hmmm.

  44. 4 stars
    Beef and beans? What a combo! Can’t believe how easy this was. A hit at my dinner party!

  45. 4 stars
    Yum! Can’t wait to try. Is there a vegetarian option?

    1. User avatar angel.murazik49 says:

      4 stars
      You could use a meat substitute like lentils or tempeh with the same beans! That’s what I do. 😊

  46. 5 stars
    These chimichangas are the best! I made them for my family, and they loved it! Will definitely make again!

  47. User avatar rickiestmorty says:

    3 stars
    Chimichangas? What’s that? I thought it was kinda like a burrito. 🤷‍♂️

    1. User avatar claudia.bode says:

      5 stars
      Chimichangas are like crispy burritos! They’re filled and then fried. You gotta try them, they’re delish! 😋

  48. User avatar kaitlyn.gaylord0 says:

    5 stars
    5 stars! Perfect for game night. Made them with extra cheese.

  49. User avatar ricky.keebler says:

    1 star
    Too many steps for me, I like easy meals. I’ll stick to microwaving stuff.

  50. User avatar gregory.mclaughlin82 says:

    4 stars
    Simple and tasty! I added some jalapenos for a kick. Yum!

    1. User avatar tomiko.jacobs74 says:

      5 stars
      Sounds delicious! I love adding a little spice too. Jalapenos are a great idea!

3.70 from 72 votes
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