The sausage burrito has become a breakfast staple in fast food restaurants because of its portability, although more authentic versions can be made at home. This type of fast food usually consists of breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs, cheese, and other toppings that are wrapped in a flour tortilla. A more traditional kind of sausage burrito can be made using chorizo, a type of Mexican sausage, along with beans and rice, salsa, and vegetables. Unlike tacos, which have the ingredients loosely wrapped in a corn or flour tortilla, burritos are usually made using large flour tortillas that are wrapped around the ingredients on all four sides, preventing them from falling out. A number of sausage burrito recipes exist that can be easily adapted according to individual tastes and preferences.
The breakfast burrito is an American adaptation of traditional Mexican cuisine, which includes a number of egg dishes. A number of restaurants and areas of the United States, particularly in the Southwest, take credit for inventing the breakfast burrito, and it appears to have been made as early as the mid-1970s. The sausage burrito as a breakfast food is appealing to many people who eat this meal while in transit, because it is compact, easily transported, and protein-rich. It can also be prepared at home and eaten on the road. Home cooks can easily make a healthful version using turkey sausage, whole wheat tortillas, and egg whites, along with a larger portion of vegetables like peppers, onions, or mushrooms.
A more authentic Mexican-style sausage burrito would most likely be made with chorizo, a smoked pork sausage flavored with paprika. It can be purchased in links or in bulk form and cooked in a skillet or grilled and then sliced. The chorizo can be paired with eggs and cheese to make another version of the breakfast burrito. It can also be combined with rice, beans, and salsa. Some people who prefer to add their own toppings may want to simply include the sausage with cheese and then serve rice and beans on the side. Salsa and other vegetables could be used as toppings on the outside of the sausage burrito as well as in dipping containers on the side.
The sausage burrito is very versatile and can be made with ingredients from other cuisines as well. Traditional Italian sausage could be prepared in a similar way to chorizo and served with sautéed onions, peppers, and cheese wrapped inside the tortilla. Mild sausage burritos can also be made for children, who may like to assemble their own ingredients and practice folding the tortilla.