🌯 Burrito in a Jar
Smells So Good, I Can't Wait to Try It!
📌 In This Article
🌯 The Burrito Story
"We thought we would try canning burrito in a jar… oh my gosh it smells so good, I can not wait to try this!!!"
Some ideas are just meant to be. This was one of them. We had been canning all kinds of meals in jars — and then it hit us. Why not burritos in a jar?
We loaded up the jars with seasoned beef, rice, beans, corn, and cheese. Then we pressure canned them until they were perfectly sealed and ready to eat.
💬 The moment: "We thought we would try canning burrito in a jar… oh my gosh it smells so good, I can not wait to try this!!!"
The smell that came out of that canner? Unbelievable. It smelled like a Mexican restaurant in a jar. I can't wait to open one up, heat it up, and enjoy a burrito anytime I want.
📦 Ingredients
🌯 For the Burrito Filling
- 🥩 2 lbs ground beef – 80/20 recommended
- 🧅 1 large onion – Diced
- 🧄 4 cloves garlic – Minced
- 🍅 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 🌶️ 2 tbsp chili powder
- 🌿 1 tbsp cumin
- 🌿 1 tbsp paprika
- 🧂 1 tsp salt
- 🌿 1 tsp black pepper
- 🌶️ 1 tsp cayenne pepper – Optional
🍚 For the Jar Layers
- 🍚 2 cups cooked rice – White or brown
- 🫘 2 cups cooked pinto beans – Or black beans
- 🌽 1 cup corn – Canned or frozen
- 🧀 1 cup shredded cheese – Cheddar or Mexican blend
- 🌶️ Optional: Salsa, jalapeños, or cilantro
🥫 For Canning
- 🥫 Beef broth – To cover
- 🫙 Wide-mouth quart jars
- 🧴 Lids and rings – New lids for best results
💡 Pro tip: "Use a variety of beans and rice for the best texture in your jar."
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare Your Equipment
- Prepare your pressure canner, jars, and lids.
- Sterilize jars and lids in boiling water for 10 minutes.
- Keep jars hot until ready to fill.
💡 Pro tip: "Wide-mouth jars are essential for layering the burrito ingredients."
Step 2 – Cook the Ground Beef
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with onion and garlic.
- Drain the excess fat.
- Add tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
- Simmer for 5-10 minutes until flavors combine.
💡 Pro tip: "Season the beef well — it's the base of the burrito flavor."
Step 3 – Cook the Rice
- Cook 2 cups of rice according to package instructions.
- Optional: Season the rice with a pinch of salt and cumin.
💡 Pro tip: "Seasoned rice adds extra flavor to the burrito."
Step 4 – Layer the Jars
- Layer the ingredients in this order:
- Rice – Bottom layer
- Seasoned beef
- Beans
- Corn
- Cheese
- Beef broth – To cover
- Leave 1 inch headspace.
⚠️ Important: "Don't overpack — leave room for expansion during canning."
Step 5 – Seal the Jars
- Remove air bubbles with a bubble remover.
- Wipe rims clean with a damp cloth.
- Add lids and rings — finger-tight.
💡 Pro tip: "Wipe those rims clean! Any residue can prevent a good seal."
Step 6 – Pressure Can
- Pressure can at 10 lbs pressure for:
- Quarts: 90 minutes
- Pints: 75 minutes
- Adjust for altitude if necessary.
⚠️ Important Safety Warning
Meat and rice MUST be pressure canned. Water bath canning is NOT safe. The temperature needs to reach 240°F to kill pathogens.
Step 7 – Cool and Store
- Allow pressure to naturally release to 0 PSI.
- Remove jars and cool on a dishtowel for 24 hours.
- Check seals — the lid should be concave and not flex.
- Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
💡 Pro tip: "Listen for that satisfying 'pop' — that's the sound of a perfect seal!"
🍽️ How to Serve Your Burrito in a Jar
🌯 Serving Ideas
- 🌯 Classic Burrito: Heat and wrap in a tortilla
- 🥣 Burrito Bowl: Serve over rice or lettuce
- 🧀 Nachos: Pour over tortilla chips with extra cheese
- 🌮 Tacos: Use as taco filling
- 🍲 Quesadillas: Use as filling
- 🥗 Salad Topper: Serve over greens
💡 Pro tip: "Heat the jar contents and wrap in a warm tortilla for an easy burrito."
🥫 How to Store
- 🏠 Pantry: Up to 1 year in a cool, dark place
- 🧊 Refrigerator after opening: Use within 1 week
- 🔥 Reheat: Stovetop or microwave
💡 Pro tip: "Label your jars with the date and contents for easy identification."
💡 Pro Tips
- 🌯 Layer carefully: Even layers create a beautiful jar.
- 🧀 Add cheese at the end: It melts into the top layer.
- 🍚 Season the rice: Adds extra flavor.
- 🫘 Use cooked beans: Canned beans work great.
- 🔥 Don't overpack: Leave room for expansion.
- 🫙 Use new lids: Old lids may not seal properly.
- 🏷️ Label everything: Date and contents on every jar.
💡 Pro tip: "We thought we would try canning burrito in a jar… oh my gosh it smells so good!"
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I water bath can this?
NO! Meat and rice must be pressure canned.
❓ How long do burrito jars last?
Up to 1 year when properly pressure canned and stored.
❓ Can I use different beans?
Yes! Pinto, black, or kidney beans work great.
❓ Can I add salsa?
Yes, add it to the beef mixture for extra flavor.
❓ How many jars does this make?
About 6 quart jars, depending on how you layer.
❓ Can I use ground turkey?
Yes, ground turkey works great.
❓ Why did my jar not seal?
Check the rim for residue, use fresh lids, and ensure proper headspace.
❓ Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but you may need to process in batches.
❓ Is this good for camping?
Yes! Perfect for RV living, camping, and emergency food storage.
❓ Will I ever buy frozen burritos again?
Probably not! Homemade burrito in a jar is so much better!
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ BURRITO IN A JAR ║
║ Smells So Good, I Can't Wait to Try It! ║
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YIELD: 6 quart jars | TIME: ~2 hours | PROCESS: 90 min (quarts)
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INGREDIENTS
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BEEF MIXTURE:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
LAYERS:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups cooked pinto beans
- 1 cup corn (canned or frozen)
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- Beef broth (to cover)
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INSTRUCTIONS
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1. Prepare pressure canner, jars, and lids.
2. Brown beef with onion and garlic. Drain fat.
Add tomato sauce and spices. Simmer 5-10 minutes.
3. Cook rice according to package instructions.
4. Layer in jars: rice, beef, beans, corn, cheese.
Add broth to cover. Leave 1" headspace.
5. Remove air bubbles, wipe rims, add lids and rings.
6. PRESSURE CAN:
- Quarts: 90 minutes at 10 lbs pressure
- Pints: 75 minutes at 10 lbs pressure
7. Cool, check seals, and store.
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HOW TO SERVE
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✓ Wrap in a warm tortilla for a burrito
✓ Serve over rice for a burrito bowl
✓ Pour over nachos
✓ Use as taco or quesadilla filling
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MEXICAN MAGIC! 🌯
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"We thought we would try canning burrito in a jar…
oh my gosh it smells so good, I can not wait to
try this!!!" ❤️
© CanningRebels — Burrito in a Jar
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