Mexican food is famous for bold flavors, warm spices, and satisfying meals. Among the many dishes people love, two of the most popular are enchiladas and burritos. They both use tortillas. They both include fillings. They both look similar at first glance.
So why do so many people still mix them up?

This guide will help you understand the real differences between enchiladas and burritos in simple, clear English. We will look at their history, ingredients, cooking methods, and how each dish is served. By the end, you will be able to tell them apart instantly.

Let’s get started.

What Is an Enchilada?

An enchilada is a classic Mexican dish made from corn tortillas filled with meat, cheese, beans, potatoes, or vegetables. The filled tortillas are rolled up, placed in a baking dish, and covered with sauce, usually red, green, or mole. Then they are baked until everything is warm and delicious.

Enchiladas are known for being soft, saucy, and flavorful. The sauce is not just a topping. It is part of the dish’s identity. The word “enchilada” even comes from the Spanish word enchilar, meaning “to season with chili.”

Key features of an enchilada:

• Made with corn tortillas
• Always covered in sauce
• Usually baked
• Eaten with a fork and knife
• Usually smaller than burritos
• Often served with rice, beans, or salad on the side

Enchiladas are not usually handheld food. They are soft and saucy, so you need utensils to enjoy them.

What Is a Burrito?

A burrito is a larger, handheld Mexican dish made with a large flour tortilla. The tortilla is filled with ingredients such as rice, beans, meat, cheese, salsa, and vegetables. Then it is folded tightly into a cylinder and wrapped so nothing falls out.

Unlike enchiladas, burritos are most often dry, meaning they are not covered in sauce. They are usually served as a portable meal. You can pick up a burrito and eat it with your hands.

The word “burrito” means “little donkey” in Spanish. One theory says the name comes from how the rolled tortilla looks like a donkey’s pack, full of goods and tightly wrapped.

Key features of a burrito:

• Made with flour tortillas
• Served wrapped and dry
• Usually not baked
• Eaten by hand
• Larger than enchiladas
• Often includes rice in the filling

Burritos are common in both Mexico and the United States, especially in the southwestern states.

Enchiladas vs Burrito: The Main Differences

Even though they look similar, enchiladas and burritos are not the same at all. Here are the biggest differences explained simply.

1. The Tortilla

• Enchiladas: Use corn tortillas.
• Burritos: Use flour tortillas.

Corn tortillas are smaller and more delicate. Flour tortillas are large, soft, and strong enough to hold heavy fillings.

2. The Sauce

This is the most important difference.

• Enchiladas: Always covered with sauce.
• Burritos: Usually served dry.

Enchiladas are baked in sauce, which gives them a rich, layered flavor. Burritos are portable and dry, so they can be held in your hands.

3. The Eating Style

• Enchiladas: Eaten with a fork and a knife.
• Burritos: Eaten by hand.

Because enchiladas are saucy, you cannot pick them up. Burritos are designed to be a full, handheld meal.

4. Cooking Method

• Enchiladas: Rolled, sauced, and baked.
• Burritos: Wrapped and usually not baked.

Some restaurants might grill or toast a burrito, but it is not baked in sauce like an enchilada.

5. Size

• Enchiladas: Smaller, usually multiple per plate.
• Burritos: Large, usually one per serving.

6. Fillings

Both can include meat, cheese, beans, and vegetables.
But burritos often include rice, while enchiladas usually do not.

7. Origin

• Enchiladas: A Traditional Mexican dish with a long history.
• Burritos: Mexican, but heavily influenced by Northern Mexico and American-Mexican cuisine.

A Quick Comparison Chart

Feature	Enchilada	Burrito
Tortilla	Corn	Flour
Sauce	Always covered	Usually dry
Cooking	Baked	Wrapped, sometimes grilled
Eating Method	Fork and knife	Handheld
Size	Small	Large
Rice Included?	Rare	Common
Style	Traditional Mexican	Mexican + Tex-Mex

Why People Confuse Enchiladas and Burritos

Many people confuse the two dishes because:

• They both involve rolled tortillas
• They both have similar fillings
• They are both Mexican or Mexican-inspired foods
• Some restaurants make “wet burritos,” which add sauce on top

A wet burrito can cause the most confusion. It is a burrito that is covered in sauce like an enchilada. However, it still uses a flour tortilla, not a corn tortilla. That is the key difference.

Types of Enchiladas

There are many regional styles of enchiladas in Mexico. Here are some popular ones:

1. Enchiladas Rojas

Made with red chili sauce. Spicy and full of smoky flavor.

2. Enchiladas Verdes

Made with green tomatillo sauce. Tangy and bright.

3. Enchiladas Suizas

Made with creamy green sauce and melted cheese on top. Rich and comforting.

4. Enchiladas de Mole

Made with mole sauce, which includes spices, nuts, chocolate, and chilies. Deep and complex flavor.

5. Enchiladas Potosinas

Corn tortillas are made with chili dough, so they are red in color.

Enchiladas vary a lot based on region and family traditions.

Types of Burritos

Burritos also have different styles depending on the region.

1. Classic Mexican Burrito

Smaller than U.S. burritos. Usually filled with one or two simple ingredients, such as meat and beans.

2. Mission Burrito (California)

Very large. Packed with rice, beans, meat, salsa, guacamole, and more. Wrapped tightly in foil.

3. Breakfast Burrito

Filled with eggs, cheese, potatoes, bacon, or sausage.

4. Wet Burrito

A burrito covered with red or green sauce and melted cheese. It looks similar to enchiladas but uses a flour tortilla.

5. Smothered Burrito

Similar to a wet burrito, often topped with chili sauce.

Each style has its own flavor profile and personality.

Which One Is Healthier?

It depends on the ingredients and how each dish is prepared.

Enchiladas

• Smaller portions
• Usually, corn tortillas, which are lower in calories
• Lots of sauce, which can add sodium
• Can be lighter depending on fillings

Burritos

• Usually larger
• Flour tortillas are higher in calories and carbs
• It can be very filling due to the rice and heavy toppings

A simple enchilada plate might be healthier than a huge burrito, but it varies from restaurant to restaurant.

Which One Is Easier to Make at Home?

Both are easy to make, but burritos may be slightly simpler because they do not require baking or sauce.

Burrito:

• Prepare fillings
• Put everything on a flour tortilla
• Wrap
• Eat

Enchilada:

• Prepare fillings
• Soften corn tortillas
• Roll them
• Place in a dish
• Cover with sauce
• Bake

Both dishes are fun to customize and perfect for family meals.

Flavor Differences: What Do They Taste Like?

Enchiladas

• Rich
• Saucy
• Slightly spicy
• Soft texture

The sauce is the strongest flavor.

Burritos

• Balanced and hearty
• More dry
• Stronger taste from the fillings
• Chewy texture from the flour tortilla

Burritos feel like a complete meal in your hands, while enchiladas feel more like a warm, comforting baked dish.

When Should You Choose an Enchilada or a Burrito?

Here is a simple guide:

Choose enchiladas if:

• You want a hot, saucy meal
• You like baked dishes
• You enjoy bold chili flavors
• You want a traditional Mexican plate

Choose burritos if:

• You want a quick handheld meal
• You like rice, beans, and large fillings
• You prefer flour tortillas
• You want something filling and portable

Both are great choices. It depends on your mood.

Conclusion

When you compare enchiladas vs burritos, the differences become very clear. Enchiladas use corn tortillas, are covered in sauce, and are baked to create a warm, rich, and comforting meal. Burritos use large flour tortillas, stay dry on the outside, and are made to be eaten with your hands. They are bigger, customizable, and perfect for a quick, filling meal.

Both dishes offer unique flavors and styles. Enchiladas shine with bold chili sauces, while burritos deliver hearty textures and many ingredient combinations. No matter which one you choose, both represent the heart of Mexican cuisine and continue to be favorites across the world.

FAQs

1. What is the biggest difference between enchiladas and burritos?

The biggest difference is the tortilla and sauce. Enchiladas use corn tortillas and are covered with sauce. Burritos use flour tortillas and stay dry on the outside.

2. Can you eat enchiladas with your hands?

No. Enchiladas are baked in sauce, so they are soft and messy. They must be eaten with a fork and a knife.

3. Can burritos be made with corn tortillas?

Not usually. Corn tortillas are small and break easily, so they don’t work well for wrapping burritos.

4. Are burritos always big?

Most burritos are large, but traditional Mexican burritos can be small with simple fillings.

5. What is a wet burrito?

A wet burrito is a burrito covered in sauce, similar to enchiladas, but it still uses a flour tortilla.

6. Do enchiladas always have chili sauce?

Yes. The name “enchilada” comes from the word “enchilar,” which means to season with chili. Sauce is essential.

7. Which is healthier: enchiladas or burritos?

It depends on the ingredients, but enchiladas are often lighter because they use corn tortillas and smaller portions.

8. Do burritos always contain rice?

Not always, but many modern burritos include rice, especially in American-style or Mission burritos.

9. Which dish is easier to make at home?

Burritos are easier because you only fill and wrap them. Enchiladas require rolling, sauce, and baking.

10. Are enchiladas spicy?

They can be spicy, but it depends on the type of sauce you use. Green, red, and mole sauces vary in heat levels.