Every El Monterey Frozen Burrito Flavor Ranked
El Monterey burritos are the ultimate back-pocket dinner when time is tight and cravings are loud. But once you heat them up, some shine while others fall flat fast.
I tried the popular flavors and ranked them for taste, texture, and how satisfying they feel when real hunger hits. Use this to pick the one that actually delivers when the microwave beeps.
1. Beef & Bean
This is the dependable weeknight hero, the one you grab when you need dinner to behave. The seasoned beef and creamy beans feel balanced, so every bite lands with the right blend of savory, soft, and a little salty.
Texture matters, and here it stays cohesive rather than mushy, especially if you crisp the tortilla in a skillet.
You get real satisfaction without needing a ton of toppings. Add hot sauce or salsa if you want, but it does not require rescuing.
When hungry meets practical, this one simply works, and it does so consistently. That balance of filling-to-tortilla rarely fails, which is why it tops the rankings for me every single time.
2. Chicken & Cheese
Comfort first, questions later. Chicken and cheese plays like a familiar couch-night pick, gentle in flavor but satisfying once the cheese melts into those soft shreds.
The seasoning is mild, so it welcomes a spoon of salsa verde or a dab of sour cream without turning messy.
When you want cozy more than bold, this is the right move. The cheese ties everything together into a creamy, nostalgic bite that feels friendly and easy to finish.
It reheats well and does not punish you for choosing the microwave. If you prefer softer textures over crunch, this lands perfectly.
It is not flashy, just warmly dependable, which is exactly what many late dinners need most.
3. Bean & Cheese
When simple sounds perfect, bean and cheese delivers in an almost soothing way. The filling is creamy, gentle, and steady from the first bite to the last.
It is not trying to be a party, just a warm blanket of flavor that you can dress up with hot sauce or enjoy plain.
Texture is its strength when heated right: soft, uniform, and forgiving if your microwave timing is not exact. You feel full without the heaviness that ground beef can bring.
Great for late nights or quick lunches when you want comfort over intensity. It is the burrito equivalent of a reliable playlist, one that plays nicely with any dip and never argues back.
4. Shredded Beef & Cheese
This one feels a bit more like dinner than a snack. The shredded beef brings deeper savoriness compared to ground beef, and the cheese softens the edges.
When you nail the heat, the strands stay tender and the tortilla holds structure without drying out.
It loves a quick pan-crisp for contrast. Add a splash of red salsa to highlight the beefiness, or keep it plain to appreciate the richer flavor.
The portion balances well, so it does not turn gloopy or overly cheesy. If you want something that leans steakhouse-adjacent without leaving the freezer aisle, you will appreciate how grown-up this tastes while staying easy and fast.
5. Beef & Cheese
Beef and cheese is the dependable crowd-pleaser that rarely lets you down. It is straightforward, a little salty, and completely at home under a drizzle of hot sauce.
The beef brings that classic taco-night note, while the cheese rounds everything into an easy, melty bite.
When you want no surprises, this is the safe lane. It reheats predictably, and a quick crisp in a skillet boosts texture big time.
Add chopped scallions or a spoon of salsa for brightness if you like. It may not wow you, but it consistently satisfies those basic burrito cravings without feeling fussy, and sometimes that is exactly what dinner needs to be.
6. Chicken
Clean and lighter, the chicken flavor goes easy on richness and leans into a gentler profile. That makes it a perfect canvas for salsa, jalapenos, or a quick squeeze of lime.
On its own, it can feel a touch plain, but it rewards customization without fighting back.
Texture stays pleasant if you do not overheat. I like finishing it in a hot pan for a crisp exterior that wakes up the mild filling.
If you prefer balance over indulgence, this one keeps things tidy and satisfying. It is the burrito you eat when you want to feel good after, not weighed down, and it plays nicely with every topping you throw at it.
7. Green Chile & Cheese
If you like a little lift, green chile and cheese brings brightness without blowing out your palate. The mild heat sits comfortably, letting the cheese keep everything smooth.
It is a great break from heavier beef options when you want something lively and melty.
Crisp the tortilla and add a spoon of pico de gallo to double down on freshness. The filling is consistent, so you get even bites from end to end.
It is not fiery, just spirited, with enough pepper flavor to keep you reaching back for more. For spice-curious eaters who want balance over burn, this one lands in the sweet spot most nights.
8. Red Hot Beef
Red Hot Beef turns up the dial and does not apologize. You get a real kick, but sometimes the heat crowds out the beefiness that makes other flavors shine.
When you want spice first, this scratches the itch, though it benefits from cooling sides like sour cream.
Texture stays solid as long as you avoid overcooking. A skillet finish makes the edges crackle, giving you contrast against the saucy interior.
If flavor complexity matters more than heat to you, consider pairing it with a bright salsa. For heat-seekers, though, this delivers a satisfying punch that feels bold, fast, and totally weeknight-friendly.
9. Spicy Bean & Cheese
When this one hits, it really hits. The spice wakes up the creamy beans and keeps the cheese from feeling sleepy.
But on off days the pepper note can lean a little one dimensional, so toppings help steer it back to balance.
I like adding a squeeze of lime and a spoon of salsa to brighten the edges. Heat level rides medium for most palates, with a warm finish rather than a blowtorch.
Texture remains plush, especially if you let it rest a minute before biting in. It is a fun twist on the classic bean and cheese that still eats easy, especially for late-night snacking.
10. Breakfast Burrito
Breakfast versions are clutch when mornings run wild. Eggs, cheese, and sometimes sausage or potato combine into a quick handheld that tastes best with a dash of salsa.
Texture can swing depending on heating, so a brief skillet pass helps avoid sogginess and adds a golden edge.
It will not always feel as hearty as lunch flavors, but it holds you over. I like pairing it with fruit or yogurt to round things out.
If you keep one in the freezer, you have an instant backup plan for workdays or road-trip starts. Not perfect, but undeniably convenient, and when executed right, it delivers that warm, savory breakfast comfort fast.
11. Chile Verde Chicken
Great idea on paper, sometimes muted in practice. The verde notes come through gently, but the chicken can fade if the sauce does not pop.
A spoon of salsa verde or a squeeze of lime helps sharpen the flavor and remind you why you picked this one.
When heated carefully, the texture stays nice and tender. I like crisping the tortilla to give contrast and wake up the mild filling.
If you want a lighter, tangy profile, this scratches the itch, especially with fresh toppings. It sits in the middle of the pack: pleasant, versatile, and better when you give it a nudge.
12. Extra Cheesy
Cheese lovers, this tempts hard. The first bites are gooey and nostalgic, especially right out of the microwave.
But without enough contrast, it can slide into heavy and salty territory fast, so a bright salsa or crunchy side really helps.
Heat gently to avoid oiling out the cheese. A pan-crisp adds structure and turns the whole experience more balanced.
If you are chasing pure melt and comfort, it will scratch that specific itch beautifully. Just know it is more about texture than layered flavor, which is why I reach for it when craving cheese first, burrito second.
13. Beef & Potato
Beef and potato fills you up, no doubt. The potatoes bring a starchy comfort that can feel satisfying after a long day.
Still, the texture leans dense, sometimes crowding out the saucier burrito vibe many of us crave.
Crisping the tortilla helps a ton, and hot sauce adds welcome brightness. When you want substance above all, this choice makes sense and keeps hunger in check.
Just do not expect the same saucy, melty energy of the bean-forward options. It is hearty, sturdy, and a bit square, but that can be exactly right when you need something solid and fast.
14. Extreme or Extra Spicy
These bring the thrill ride, sometimes at the expense of nuance. The heat arrives early and lingers, which can flatten everything else into background noise.
If you chase endorphins, you will appreciate the kick, but pair it with cooling sides to round things out.
Sour cream or avocado helps tame the burn and let the burrito taste like more than spice. Texture usually holds up, though the sauce can dominate.
For me, it is a fun occasional pick rather than a staple. Great for a dare-night or when you simply want to feel the fire fast, then move on.
15. Oddball Limited Flavors
Limited runs can be exciting, but they are hit or miss. Sometimes you uncover a sleeper favorite; other times the concept tastes like a remix that did not need to happen.
Expect bolder ideas that rely on sauce tricks and novelty more than balance.
Approach with curiosity and low stakes. If you find one you love, stock up, because it may vanish before you blink.
But for everyday reliability, the core lineup wins. These are fun experiments, not guaranteed keepers, and that unpredictability is part of the charm and the risk.
