The breakfast burrito (
Spanish: Burrito de desayuno), sometimes referred to as a breakfast wrap outside of the
American Southwest,[1] is a variety of
Americanbreakfast composed of breakfast items wrapped inside a flour tortilla
burrito. This style was invented and popularized in several regional American cuisines, most notably originating in
New Mexican cuisine, and expanding beyond
Southwestern cuisine and neighboring
Tex-Mex. Southwestern-style breakfast burritos may include any combination of
scrambled eggs, potatoes, cheese, peppers (usually
New Mexico chile,
Jalapeño, or other
chili peppers), salsa, onions,
chorizo, bacon, or sour cream.[2] In other variations of breakfast burritos, more ingredients such as tomatoes, cheese, ham, and other fresh products can be added.[3]
Tia Sophia's, a
New Mexican diner in
Santa Fe, claims the first use of the term "breakfast burrito" on a menu, in 1975, although a rolled tortilla containing some combination of eggs, bacon, potatoes, and cheese existed in
New Mexican cuisine well before that.[10][11][12] Fast food giant
McDonald's introduced their version in the late 1980s,[13] and by the 1990s, more fast food restaurants caught on to the style, with
Sonic Drive-In,
Hardee's, and
Carl's Jr. offering breakfast burritos on their menus.[14] In 2014,
Taco Bell launched their breakfast menu, which included breakfast burritos.[15]
Preparation
The breakfast burrito can be prepared with a myriad of filling ingredients, such as eggs, ham, cheese, onion, chile or bell peppers, bacon, Canadian bacon, potatoes, sausage, avocado, tomato, spinach, beans, and olives.[1][16][17] In
New Mexico, breakfast burritos are often served "smothered" (covered with a
chile sauce) or "handheld" (with chile sauce or chopped green chile inside).[12] It is usually served heated up or cooked.