The Hands-Down Best Cheap Frozen Beef Burrito Comes From This Family-Owned Brand

Frozen burritos come in clutch as a quick, convenient, and budget-friendly meal. However, they can be hit-or-miss. There are many mediocre ones on the market, and some frozen burritos are definitely not worth the savings. Luckily, we tried and ranked America's cheapest frozen beef burritos so you don't have to, and the hands-down best option is made by a family-owned brand: El Monterey Signature Shredded Steak & Cheese Burrito.

This stellar frozen beef burrito is a fabulous deal at less than $2 a pop and also tastes outstanding. "The shredded beef in this is so nice; it's tender and stringy for that perfect taco shop dupe. The cheese oozes out in a deluge of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Monterey Jack with peppers," our reviewer gushed. "All of these flavors are spiced up with garlic, dehydrated onions, and chili pepper blended together in perfect harmony, making you wonder how the company could make such a decadent burrito for under two dollars." If that glowing review isn't enough to convince you, the brand also boasts a sweet backstory. 

El Monterey is a frozen Mexican food brand that has been family-owned since 1964, when Fred Ruiz and his dad Louis began selling frozen burritos, enchiladas, and tamales in California's San Joaquin Valley near the city of Monterey. The convenient and tasty Mexican meals were made following Fred Ruiz's grandmother Rosie's recipes, and were an instant hit. The company rapidly became one of the country's top frozen Mexican food brands. Over half a century later, El Monterey burritos are a staple in freezers across America, and the company has expanded to offer chimichangas, quesadillas, taquitos, and more Mexican and Tex-Mex staple dishes.

While a lot has changed over the years, El Monterey is still owned by the Ruiz family under the parent company Ruiz Foods and remains committed to providing high-quality frozen Mexican food at a budget-friendly price point using premium ingredients such as fresh-baked tortillas and real green chilies (as proven by its superlatively affordable steak and cheese burrito). No matter how you roll, this cheap beef burrito surely won't disappoint. If you're looking for more ways to upgrade your frozen food game, here's how to turn frozen burritos into the easiest enchiladas.