A vegetarian burrito by its simplest definition is a burrito that does not contain any meat. This type of burrito can be a very healthy meal for anyone, especially people who may be watching fat or dietary cholesterol intake, anyone trying to eat more nutritious vegetables, and those who are vegetarians by lifestyle and choose never to eat meat. Sometimes, such as in the vegan lifestyle, the restriction on meat is extended to other animal products, including cheese, one of the most common burrito ingredients.
While many people cannot imagine eating a burrito without beef, chicken, or pork, others prefer a vegetarian burrito for taste, dietary, or moral reasons. People who wish to completely exclude meat and other animal products from their diets should check before eating a seemingly vegetarian burrito to make sure that neither the tortilla nor its contents have been cooked with eggs, dairy products, or animal fat, because some restaurants use these to add flavor to the burrito. Those attempting to reduce intake of dietary fat or cholesterol should also ask how the burrito has been prepared. Some restaurants provide nutrition information and even food preparation and cooking methods online or in a pamphlet, but usually it is the customer's responsibility to seek it out.
Ingredients in a vegetarian burrito usually include beans, rice, lettuce, and tomatoes. Some combination of other ingredients such as corn, peppers, onions, and sometimes olives is also used. A variety of herbs and spices are often used, such as cayenne, chili powder, and cilantro. Unless they are prohibited by dietary or other restrictions, like those of vegans, who eliminate all animal products, sour cream and cheese are common toppings for both regular and vegetarian burritos. Salsa may be a good alternative for those who cannot top burritos with cheese or sour cream.
Most restaurants that serve regular burritos and other Mexican food dishes offer at least one option for customers who prefer a vegetarian burrito. Many people, however, find that it is simple to make a vegetarian burrito at home and also find that it is far easier to control which ingredients are used and how the food is prepared by buying their own supplies rather than trusting the restaurant to skip the meat products. Dieters who miss the flavor and texture of meat may find a solution by using soy products or by crumbling up a vegetarian burger, usually found in the frozen foods section of the grocery store, and using it to replace the meat in the burrito.