What is the Difference Between Tortilla and Burrito

Tortilla and burrito are two of the most popular dishes in Mexican cuisine. Some people tend to use these two names interchangeably because they assume they are the same. This is because tortillas are used to make burritos.

The key difference between tortilla and burrito is their nature. Tortilla is a thin, round flatbread while burrito is a type of wrap made with a tortilla sheet rolled or folded around a filling.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Tortilla 
3. What is Burrito  
4. Relationship – Tortilla and Burrito
5. Tortilla vs Burrito in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Tortilla vs Burrito
7. FAQ – Tortilla and Burrito

What is Tortilla?

Tortilla is a thin, round flatbread seen in Mexican cooking. Traditionally, tortillas were only made with corn flour. But wheat flour is also used to make tortillas in some recipes now. The traditional corn tortilla is made from nixtamalized maize meal or masa de maíz (not American corn flour or cornmeal). This is also known as masa harina. Corn tortillas are quite easy to make. All you have to do is mix maize, salt, and water together and make a dough. Knead the dough until it’s smooth, then divide it into small balls. Flatten each ball using a tortilla press or a rolling pin between two pieces of plastic wrap. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and cook each tortilla for about 1-2 minutes on each side until they are slightly golden and cooked through.

Figure 01: Corn Tortilla

Tortillas are usually eaten with savory fillings or toppings on them. There are different variations of tortillas around the world. They are also used to make dishes like burritos, quesadillas, and tacos. In these recipes, these flatbreads act as the wrapping around the fillings.

What is Burrito?

Burrito is another Mexican recipe made with a tortilla sheet rolled or folded around a filling. In this dish, the tortilla acts as a covering to wrap up the filling inside. The filling may include meat like chicken, pork, beef, or mutton. These fillings also have vegetables like peas and beans and are cooked. Burritos usually have a savory flavor. This is achieved by adding spicy sauces and spices to the filling. Some also add sprinkles of cheese on top of the filling to make it more flavorful.

Figure 02: Burrito

There are different variations of burritos around the world. The ingredients (meats, sauces, vegetables, etc.) used in the fillings differ according to different countries and cultures. Burritos can be served for all three meals – breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Relationship Between Tortilla and Burrito

• Tortillas and burritos are two popular Mexican dishes.
• Tortillas are used to make burritos.

Difference Between Tortilla and Burrito

Definition

1. A tortilla is a round-shaped, thin Mexican flatbread that is made using corn flour.
2. A burrito is a Mexican dish made with a tortilla sheet rolled or folded around a filling.

Nature

1. Tortilla is a flatbread and can be used as a wrapping in dishes like burritos, quesadillas, and tacos.
2. Burritos have both a wrapping and filling.

Ingredients

1. A tortilla can be made with flour, water, and salt.
2. Burritos are made with tortillas and fillings containing various ingredients like meat, vegetables, spices, and rice.

The following table summarizes the difference between tortilla and burrito.

Summary – Tortilla vs Burrito

Tortilla is a thin, round flatbread while Burrito is a type of wrap made with a tortilla sheet rolled or folded around a filling. This is the basic difference between tortilla and burrito. In summary, all burritos use tortillas, but not all tortillas are used to make burritos.

FAQ: Tortilla and Burrito

1. Are burrito and tortilla the same?

• Burrito and tortilla are not the same. Tortilla is a type of flatbread popular in Mexican food. Burrito, on the other hand, is a type of wrap made with folding a tortilla around a filling.

2. What is the difference between a tortilla and a wrap?

• Wraps are soft flatbread rolled around a filling. Tortilla is a round, unleavened flatbread traditionally made with corn flour. It has Mexican origins. Although tortillas are sometimes used as wraps, they can also be eaten alone, dipped in a sauce.

3. What’s the difference between a taco and a tortilla?

• A tortilla is a flat, round bread whereas a taco is a dish made with a tortilla that is folded or rolled around a filling, which usually include meat, vegetables, cheese, and salsa. Basically, tortilla is the bread, whereas taco is the whole dish including both the wrap and the filling.

4. What’s healthier, tortilla or burrito?

• The health comparison between tortilla and burrito would depend on the ingredients used to make them. Corn tortillas are lower in calories and fat than flour tortillas. Same way, fillings made with lean protein, vegetables, and beans can be nutritious whereas fillings with fatty meats and cheese can be unhealthy.

5. Why are burritos considered unhealthy?

• The calories and nutrients in burritos actually depend on the ingredients used in them. Most restaurants serve burritos loaded with cheese, sour cream, and high-fat meats, which can be high in calories, fat, and sodium.

Reference:

1. “Burrito.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

2. “Tortilla.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Mexican Tortilla” By David Boté Estrada – (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Burrito in Close-Up Photography” (CC0) via Pexels

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