Burrito vs. Kebab — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 17, 2023
A burrito is a Mexican dish consisting of a tortilla filled with ingredients such as rice, beans, and meat, while a kebab refers to skewered and grilled meat, often associated with Middle Eastern cuisine.
Difference Between Burrito and Kebab
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A burrito is a popular Mexican dish, made by wrapping a large, soft tortilla around a variety of fillings, including meat, rice, beans, and veggies. It can be found in many variations, from simple to gourmet, across the world. Kebab, on the other hand, is a culinary delight rooted in Middle Eastern cuisine. It consists primarily of skewered meat that's been marinated, then grilled or roasted.
Burrito fillings often celebrate the rich and spicy flavors of Mexican cuisine, with ingredients like salsa, guacamole, and sour cream being common accompaniments. The kebab is celebrated for its savory marination and charred exterior, often accompanied by sauces or side dishes that highlight its flavors, such as tzatziki or hummus.
The method of consumption differs between a burrito and kebab. A burrito is generally handheld, often wrapped in foil or parchment paper, and eaten directly. Kebabs, while they can be eaten off the skewer, are often served on a plate, sometimes with rice, salad, or inside a bread like pita or naan.
Both the burrito and kebab have undergone various adaptations as they've traveled across countries and cultures. While burritos can now feature ingredients like Korean BBQ or sushi, kebabs too have seen diverse variations, from the shish kebab to the doner kebab.
Comparison Chart
Origin
Mexico
Middle East
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Main Components
Tortilla wrap with fillings like meat, rice, beans
Skewered and grilled/roasted meat
Serving Style
Often handheld
Served on skewers or on a plate
Common Accompaniments
Salsa, guacamole, sour cream
Tzatziki, hummus, pita bread
Variations
Breakfast burritos, bean burritos
Shish kebab, doner kebab
Compare with Definitions
Burrito
A rolled tortilla containing a combination of seasoned ingredients.
He ate his burrito quickly, savoring the spicy flavors.
Kebab
Kebabs are various cooked meat dishes with their origins in Middle Eastern cuisine. Numerous variants are popular around the world.
Burrito
A burrito (English: , Spanish: [buˈrito] (listen)) is a dish in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine that took form in California cuisine, consisting of a flour tortilla wrapped into a sealed cylindrical shape around various ingredients. The tortilla is sometimes lightly grilled or steamed to soften it, make it more pliable, and allow it to adhere to itself when wrapped.
Kebab
A dish of pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables roasted or grilled on a skewer or spit.
Burrito
A flour tortilla wrapped around a filling, as of beef, beans, or cheese.
Kebab
(British) A dish of pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables roasted on a skewer or spit, especially a doner kebab.
Burrito
A Mexican dish consisting of a flour tortilla wrapped around a filling of meat and/or beans, cheese etc.
Kebab
Shish kebab.
Burrito
(slang) To wrap someone or something up like a burrito.
Kebab
To stab or skewer
Burrito
A flour tortilla folded around a filling.
Kebab
(AU) A hand-held dish consisting of pieces of meat roasted on an upright skewer mixed with fresh vegetables and sauces and rolled up in a round piece of unleavened bread.
Burrito
A flour tortilla folded around a filling
Kebab
(US) A shish kebab or any other food on a skewer.
Burrito
A Mexican dish made of a tortilla wrapped around various fillings.
She ordered a chicken burrito with extra guacamole.
Kebab
A restaurant that sells kebabs
Let's go to the kebab after the club.
Burrito
A large, soft tortilla that envelops ingredients like meat, rice, and beans.
He prefers his burrito with both pinto beans and black beans.
Kebab
(chemistry) The outward growing portions of a shish kebab structure.
Burrito
A handheld food item popular in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisines.
For lunch, she had a burrito from the food truck down the street.
Kebab
A Muslim, usually of southern European, Middle Eastern, or North African descent.
Burrito
A savory wrap often accompanied by sides like chips and salsa.
She brought a burrito for lunch, complete with a side of salsa.
Kebab
The vulva.
Kebab
(GUI) menu icon of three vertical dots
Kebab
(transitive) To roast in the style of a kebab
Kebab
See kabab and kabob.
Kebab
Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables
Kebab
A dish of skewered and grilled or roasted meat.
We had lamb kebab for dinner, and it was delicious.
Kebab
Meat, often marinated, threaded on a skewer and cooked over an open flame.
The kebab at the local restaurant is always perfectly seasoned.
Kebab
A culinary staple in Middle Eastern cuisine involving skewered meat.
She tried a kebab for the first time on her trip to Istanbul.
Kebab
A flavorful dish often accompanied by side dishes or sauces.
He paired his chicken kebab with some fresh tzatziki sauce.
Kebab
Grilled meat, sometimes served inside pita bread or with rice.
Their specialty is a spicy beef kebab served with garlic rice.
Common Curiosities
What's the difference between shawarma and kebab?
Shawarma is thinly sliced marinated meat that's cooked on a rotating spit and often served in bread, while a kebab is skewered meat that's grilled or roasted.
Is burrito and shawarma same?
No, a burrito is a Mexican dish made of a tortilla wrapped around fillings while shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish of thinly sliced marinated meat that's cooked on a rotating spit.
What is similar to a burrito?
Similar to a burrito are wraps, enchiladas, and chimichangas, all of which involve a tortilla or other bread wrapping around fillings.
What is considered a burrito?
A burrito is considered a tortilla wrap filled with various ingredients, including but not limited to, meat, beans, rice, and vegetables.
Is burrito same as roti?
No, a burrito is a Mexican dish made of a tortilla wrapped around fillings, while roti is a type of unleavened flatbread common in Indian cuisine.
What is the difference between kebab and kabab?
Both terms refer to the same dish, but "kebab" is the more common spelling in American English, while "kabab" may be used in other regions.
Is a burrito healthier than a kebab?
It depends on the ingredients and preparation methods. Both burritos and kebabs can be made healthy or unhealthy depending on fillings, toppings, and cooking methods.
What is fajita vs burrito?
Fajitas refer to grilled meats, often with onions and bell peppers, served on a tortilla, while a burrito is a tortilla rolled around a variety of fillings, including meats, rice, and beans.
Is taco a burrito?
No, while both are Mexican dishes involving tortillas, a taco is typically smaller, folded or wrapped around its fillings, whereas a burrito is rolled and contains more ingredients.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
