Quick & Crispy Beef Chimichangas Recipe: A Family Favorite

Golden crispy beef chimichangas represent a mouthwatering fusion of textures and flavors that dance across your palate with remarkable intensity.

Mexican-inspired cuisine brings incredible depth to this delectable dish that combines savory meat with crisp exterior layers.

Authentic preparation requires careful technique and balanced ingredients that elevate simple components into something extraordinary.

Home cooks appreciate how these delightful parcels reinvent ordinary ground beef into a spectacular meal everyone craves.

Professional chefs understand the delicate art of creating perfectly sealed pockets that maintain juicy interiors while achieving a crackling golden-brown shell.

Regional culinary traditions inspire this incredible recipe that blends robust spices with tender, seasoned meat wrapped in soft tortillas.

Skilled cooking reinvents basic ingredients into a crowd-pleasing sensation that guarantees smiles around the dinner table.

Why These Chimichangas Always Get Requests

• Unleash Flavor Explosion: Packed with zesty Mexican shredded beef, melted cheese, and a creamy, spicy sauce that delivers a mouthwatering taste adventure in every bite.
• Master Crispy Texture Magic: Perfectly golden-brown exterior achieved through strategic baking and optional broiling, creating an irresistibly crunchy shell that contrasts with the soft, tender inner filling.
• Customize Your Culinary Creation: Flexible recipe allows adding rice, beans, and personalized toppings, making it ideal for family dinners, game nights, or spontaneous weekend gatherings where everyone can craft their perfect chimichanga.
• Simple Gourmet Cooking: Beginner-friendly method with straightforward steps, requiring minimal cooking skills while producing restaurant-quality results that will impress friends and family without hours of complicated preparation.

What Goes into Crispy Beef Chimichangas

• Mexican Shredded Beef: Tender, flavorful meat that forms the main protein of the chimichangas, best when slow-cooked and seasoned well.
• Cheese: Melty and rich, adds creamy texture and depth of flavor to the filling.
• Rice (Optional): Provides extra volume and helps bind the filling together.
• Beans (Optional): Adds protein and creates a more substantial filling.

• Tortillas: Large flour tortillas that will create the crispy exterior when baked, ideal when fresh and pliable.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Creates a rich base for the sauce, adds depth and smooth texture.
• Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a smooth consistency.
• Broth: Provides liquid base and enhances overall flavor of the sauce.
• Spices: Adds warmth and complexity to the sauce.
• Green Chilies: Introduces a mild heat and fresh pepper flavor.
• Sour Cream: Adds creaminess and tanginess to the sauce.
• Lime Juice: Brings brightness and balances the rich flavors.
• Hot Sauce: Optional heat and additional flavor layer.

How to Make Chimichangas Golden and Crunchy

Step 1: Prep Delicious Beef Filling

Prepare Mexican shredded beef according to the existing recipe. If made ahead, refrigerate in juices and drain before using.

Step 2: Set Up Baking Station

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.

Step 3: Craft Your Chimichanga Rolls

• Optional rice
• Optional beans
• Shredded beef
• Cheese

Roll the tortilla burrito-style, ensuring the seam is facing down on the baking sheet.

Step 4: Create Golden Crispy Exterior

Gently brush each chimichanga with olive oil. Bake for 18-20 minutes until achieving a beautiful golden color. For extra crispiness, broil briefly at the end.

Step 5: Whip Up Creamy Signature Sauce

• Melt butter with olive oil
• Add flour, cooking for 2 minutes
• Gradually pour in broth and spices
• Simmer until sauce thickens

• Chilies
• Cheese
• Sour cream
• Lime juice

Season with hot sauce to personal preference.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Top chimichangas with the signature sauce and add any desired additional toppings.

Handy Tips for Beef Chimichangas

• Drain Beef Thoroughly: Remove excess moisture from shredded beef to prevent soggy chimichangas and ensure a crispy exterior.
• Seal Edges Tightly: Fold tortilla edges inward and roll carefully to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
• Oil Brush Technique: Apply olive oil evenly across the chimichanga surface for a golden, crisp texture and beautiful color.
• Rack Placement Matters: Use a wire rack on the baking sheet to allow hot air circulation and prevent bottom from getting soggy.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust hot sauce in the creamy sauce to match your preferred heat intensity, tasting as you go.

Storing Crispy Chimichangas Like a Pro

• Refrigeration: Carefully wrap each chimichanga individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Keep the sauce separately in a sealed container.
• Reheating Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place wrapped chimichangas on a baking sheet and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Unwrap during the last 3 minutes to restore crispiness. Reheat sauce separately in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally.
• Freezing Option: Freeze uncooked or cooked chimichangas for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in freezer-safe wrap, removing as much air as possible. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

What to Serve with Chimichangas

• Pair with Zesty Margarita: Complement the golden crispy beef chimichangas with a tangy margarita featuring fresh lime juice, tequila, and a salted rim. The citrusy notes cut through the rich, savory flavors of the dish.
• Match with Mexican Street Corn Salad: Create a vibrant side of grilled corn, cotija cheese, chili powder, and cilantro. Its bright, creamy texture balances the crispy chimichangas perfectly.
• Serve with Refreshing Pico de Gallo: Prepare a fresh salsa with diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice. This light, zingy condiment provides a cool contrast to the hot, crunchy chimichangas.
• Cool Down with Mexican Horchata: Offer a sweet, creamy rice drink with cinnamon to soothe the palate after the spicy, crispy beef dish. Its smooth texture complements the crunchy exterior of the chimichangas.

Bold Chimichanga Flavor Ideas

• Spicy Southwest Chimichanga Remix: Swap Mexican shredded beef with spicy pulled chicken and add diced jalapeños for extra heat.
• Vegetarian Green Chile Edition: Replace beef with roasted black beans, fire-roasted green chiles, and quinoa for a protein-packed vegetarian option.
• Seafood Coastal Chimichanga: Use seasoned shredded crab or shrimp instead of beef, incorporating fresh cilantro and a zesty lime crema sauce.
• Mediterranean Fusion Wrap: Transform the recipe by using lamb, adding feta cheese, kalamata olives, and a yogurt-based sauce for a Mediterranean-inspired variation.

Golden Crispy Beef Chimichangas Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Sizzling golden chimichangas bring Mexican street flavors straight to your kitchen. Crispy tortillas wrap succulent seasoned beef, promising a delightful crunch you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Proteins and Fillings:

• 1 recipe Mexican Shredded Beef
• 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup cilantro lime rice (optional)
• ¼ cup black or pinto beans (optional)

Base and Wrap:

• 6 burrito-size tortillas (10-inch)

Green Chili Sour Cream Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ¼–½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ 4-ounce can mild chopped green chilies
• ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Hot sauce or cayenne pepper to taste

Optional Toppings:

• Pico de gallo
• Guacamole
• Salsa
• Sour cream
• Hot sauce

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and prepare a baking sheet lined with a wire rack for optimal air circulation.
2. Take large flour tortillas and lay them flat on a clean work surface for efficient assembly.
3. Spread a thin layer of cooked rice and refried beans in the center of each tortilla, creating a delicious base.
4. Distribute approximately of prepared Mexican shredded beef evenly across the tortilla’s center.
5. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the beef, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Fold the tortilla’s sides inward, then roll tightly from the bottom, creating a compact burrito-like package with sealed edges.
7. Place each rolled chimichanga seam-side down on the prepared wire rack to prevent unraveling during baking.
8. Gently brush the exterior of each chimichanga with olive oil, promoting a golden and crispy exterior.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through to ensure even browning.
10. While baking, prepare the accompanying sauce by melting butter and olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
11. Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
12. Gradually pour in broth and spices, stirring until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
13. Remove the sauce from heat and incorporate chopped green chilies, additional cheese, sour cream, and fresh lime juice.
14. Season the sauce with hot sauce to taste, adjusting the heat level as desired.
15. Once chimichangas are golden and crisp, remove from the oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes.
16. Plate the chimichangas and generously drizzle with the prepared sauce.
17. Garnish with optional toppings such as fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, or additional sour cream.

Notes

• Choose high-quality tortillas that are fresh and pliable for easy rolling without cracking.
• Drain the shredded beef thoroughly to prevent soggy chimichangas and ensure a crispy exterior.
• Brush tortillas generously with olive oil to achieve a golden, crunchy texture during baking.
• Allow the sauce to cool slightly before adding cheese and sour cream to prevent separation.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or monterey jack for extra flavor complexity.
• Serve immediately after baking to maintain the perfect crispy texture and optimal temperature.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg