Taco vs. Burrito — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 25, 2024
Tacos are typically smaller, with a single folded tortilla, while burritos are larger, wrapped in a tortilla and often include more fillings.
Difference Between Taco and Burrito
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Tacos are traditionally served with a single, soft or hard shell tortilla that's folded or wrapped around the fillings, which usually include meats, vegetables, and sometimes cheese. On the other hand, burritos are made with a single, larger, and often flour tortilla that's fully wrapped around a more diverse array of fillings, including beans, rice, meat, and vegetables, making them a more substantial meal.
The origin of tacos can be traced back to Mexico, where they are a staple of the local cuisine, showcasing the simplicity and diversity of Mexican flavors. Burritos, while also originating from Mexico, gained much of their current popularity and variety in the United States, particularly in Tex-Mex cuisine, which has led to larger, more ingredient-packed versions than traditional Mexican burritos.
Tacos are typically eaten by hand, with minimal mess, thanks to their open-ended design and smaller size. Burritos, with their larger size and fully enclosed wrap, are also designed to be eaten with your hands but may require foil or paper wrapping to hold together and manage the potential mess from the larger variety of fillings.
The versatility of tacos allows for a wide range of ingredients, including fish, beef, chicken, and vegetarian options, often garnished with fresh cilantro, onions, and a squeeze of lime. Burritos, while also versatile, tend to include a base of rice and beans, with additional ingredients like meat, cheese, and vegetables, topped with sauces such as salsa or sour cream, creating a more complex flavor profile.
Cultural significance varies between the two, with tacos holding a deep-rooted place in Mexican culture, symbolizing the blend of indigenous and European influences. Burritos, especially those found outside of Mexico, often represent the fusion of Mexican cuisine with other culinary traditions, embodying the adaptability and innovation of food culture.
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Comparison Chart
Tortilla
Single, soft or hard, smaller
Single, soft, larger
Origin
Mexico
Mexico, popularized in the U.S.
Eating Method
By hand, open-ended
By hand, wrapped, sometimes with foil
Fillings
Meats, vegetables, cheese
Beans, rice, meats, vegetables, cheese
Cultural Significance
Deep-rooted in Mexican culture
Fusion of Mexican and other culinary traditions
Compare with Definitions
Taco
Tacos are versatile, with fish, beef, or vegetarian options.
Fish tacos are popular for their light and fresh taste.
Burrito
Often eaten with foil or paper to manage mess.
The best burritos are the ones you unwrap as you eat.
Taco
Tacos feature a folded or wrapped tortilla filled with meats and veggies.
Tacos are often topped with fresh cilantro and diced onions.
Burrito
Burritos are wrapped tortillas filled with a variety of ingredients.
A classic burrito includes rice, beans, meat, and cheese.
Taco
Traditionally eaten by hand.
The best tacos don’t need anything more than your fingers to enjoy.
Burrito
Gained popularity in the U.S., especially in Tex-Mex cuisine.
Tex-Mex burritos often come loaded with multiple fillings.
Taco
Symbolize the blend of cultures.
Tacos incorporate both indigenous and European influences in Mexican cuisine.
Burrito
Represent the fusion of cuisines.
Burritos in the U.S. blend Mexican traditions with American tastes.
Taco
Originating in Mexico, tacos are a staple of its cuisine.
Street tacos in Mexico showcase the country's diverse flavors.
Burrito
Designed to be a substantial meal.
A burrito can often be a complete meal due to its size and variety of fillings.
Taco
A taco (US: , UK: , Spanish: [ˈtako]) is a traditional Mexican dish consisting of a small hand-sized corn or wheat tortilla topped with a filling. The tortilla is then folded around the filling and eaten by hand.
Burrito
A burrito (English: , Spanish: [buˈrito] (listen)) is a dish in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine that took form in California cuisine, consisting of a flour tortilla wrapped into a sealed cylindrical shape around various ingredients. The tortilla is sometimes lightly grilled or steamed to soften it, make it more pliable, and allow it to adhere to itself when wrapped.
Taco
A corn tortilla folded around a filling such as ground meat or cheese.
Burrito
A flour tortilla wrapped around a filling, as of beef, beans, or cheese.
Taco
(culinary) A Mexican snack food made of a small tortilla (soft or hard shelled) filled with ingredients such as meat, rice, beans, cheese, diced vegetables and salsa.
Burrito
A Mexican dish consisting of a flour tortilla wrapped around a filling of meat and/or beans, cheese etc.
Taco
The vulva.
Burrito
(slang) To wrap someone or something up like a burrito.
Taco
A yellow stain on a shirt armpit caused by sweat or deodorant.
Burrito
A flour tortilla folded around a filling.
Taco
(slang) To fold or cause to buckle in half, similar to the way a taco is folded.
Burrito
A flour tortilla folded around a filling
Taco
Offensive terms for a person of Mexican descent
Taco
A tortilla rolled cupped around a filling
Common Curiosities
Can both tacos and burritos be made with flour tortillas?
Yes, but burritos are more commonly made with flour tortillas due to their size.
Are tacos or burritos more traditional in Mexican cuisine?
Both have roots in Mexican cuisine, but tacos are more traditional.
Can tacos be served with hard shells?
Yes, tacos can be served with either soft or hard shell tortillas.
What makes tacos culturally significant in Mexico?
They represent a mix of indigenous and European culinary traditions.
What's the main difference between a taco and a burrito?
Tacos are smaller with a folded tortilla, while burritos are larger and fully wrapped.
Is rice a common ingredient in tacos?
Rice is less common in tacos compared to burritos.
Why are burritos wrapped in foil at restaurants?
The foil helps to hold the burrito together and manage any potential mess from the fillings.
Which is typically more filling, a taco or a burrito?
A burrito, due to its larger size and more diverse fillings.
Are vegetarian options available for both tacos and burritos?
Yes, both can be adapted to include vegetarian or vegan fillings.
What's a key flavor difference between tacos and burritos?
Tacos often feature fresh, simple ingredients, while burritos can include complex combinations with sauces.
Do burritos have a specific eating method?
Burritos are often eaten with hands, sometimes supported by foil to contain fillings.
How have burritos evolved in the United States?
In the U.S., burritos have become larger and incorporate a wider variety of fillings, reflecting Tex-Mex influences.
Can burritos include sauces inside?
Yes, burritos often include sauces like salsa or sour cream inside.
How do tacos and burritos reflect the adaptation of Mexican cuisine?
Tacos maintain traditional Mexican elements, while burritos, especially in the U.S., showcase the fusion and adaptation of Mexican cuisine with other influences.
Do tacos or burritos offer more variety in fillings?
While both offer variety, burritos typically have a wider range of fillings due to their larger size.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
