Short Description
Crispy and flavorful, these Beef Taquitos are filled with seasoned ground or shredded beef and cheese, rolled in corn tortillas, and cooked to golden perfection—ideal for snacking or entertaining.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-on snackable: Perfect for parties, appetizers, or game nights
- Customizable filling: Use ground beef or shredded roast for different textures
- Multiple cooking methods: Fry, bake, or air-fry depending on your preference
- Loaded with toppings: Serve with guacamole, sour cream, salsa, lettuce, and tomatoes for a vibrant presentation
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Beef Filling
- 1 lb ground beef or 1 lb shredded cooked beef (e.g., brisket or roast)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup tomato sauce or salsa
- ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
For the Taquitos
- 12 small corn tortillas
- Vegetable oil for frying, or cooking spray for baking
For Garnish
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced tomatoes
Directions
- Prepare the Filling
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- If using ground beef, add and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon. If using shredded beef, warm it through in the skillet.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Toast the spices for 1–2 minutes.
- Add tomato sauce or salsa and cook for another 3–5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Remove from heat, stir in shredded cheese, and allow the filling to cool slightly.
- Warm the Tortillas
- Heat tortillas in a skillet for about 10–15 seconds per side for pliability, or microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel for 20–30 seconds.
- Roll the Taquitos
- Place ~2 tablespoons of the beef mixture along the bottom third of each tortilla. Roll tightly and secure with a toothpick if needed.
- Cook the Taquitos
- Frying: Heat 1–2 inches of vegetable oil to 350 °F and fry seam-side down for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Baking: Preheat oven to 425 °F. Place taquitos seam-side down on a parchment-lined sheet, spray with cooking spray or brush oil, and bake 15–20 minutes, turning halfway, until crispy.
- Air Frying: Preheat air fryer to 400 °F. Arrange taquitos seam-side down in a single layer, spray with oil, and air-fry 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden.
- Serve
- Arrange hot taquitos on a platter. Remove toothpicks and garnish with guacamole, sour cream, salsa, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.
Servings And Timing
- Makes 12 taquitos (about 4 servings)
- Prep time: ~15 minutes (plus a few minutes for tortilla warming and rolling)
- Cook time:
- Fry: ~6 minutes total
- Bake: ~15–20 minutes
- Air Fry: ~6–8 minutes
- Total time: ~25–35 minutes depending on cooking method
Variations
- Protein swap: Substitute shredded chicken or pork for beef
- Cheese options: Use queso fresco, pepper jack, or Oaxaca cheese for different flavors
- Veggie stuffing: Add sautéed peppers, onions, or spinach to the filling
- Spicy twist: Add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture
- Healthier bake: Lightly brush tortillas with olive oil and bake for a crispier yet lower-fat version
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store cooled taquitos in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked taquitos in a sealed freezer bag for up to 2 months.
- Reheating:
- Oven: Bake at 375 °F for 8–10 minutes until heated and crisp
- Air Fryer: Reheat at 375 °F for 3–4 minutes
- Microwave: Warm briefly, then crisp in a skillet or toaster oven
- For best texture, reheat directly from frozen and avoid microwaving too long.
FAQs
What’s the best tortilla to use?
Small corn tortillas work best for authentic texture and crispiness. Warm them to prevent cracking.
Can I bake instead of frying?
Yes—baking at 425 °F (with oil spray) yields crispy taquitos with less oil.
How do I prevent tortillas from unrolling?
Roll tightly and bake or fry seam-side down. Use a toothpick if needed, then remove before serving.
Can I make these ahead?
Yes—assemble taquitos and refrigerate up to a few hours in advance. Cook and serve just before guests arrive.
Are these spicy?
Mildly seasoned by default. Add jalapeños or hot sauce for more heat.
Can I air-fry from frozen?
Yes—air fry at 375 °F for 7–9 minutes, flipping halfway, until heated and crispy.
What sides go well?
Serve with Mexican rice, refried beans, chips, or a fresh corn salad.
Are they kid-friendly?
Absolutely—mildly flavored and easy to dip, they’re perfect for families.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes—corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free. Check that all spices and fillings are gluten-free.
Is it okay to use store-bought filling?
Yes—pre-seasoned beef or taco meat can be used for a quicker version.
Conclusion
Beef Taquitos are a crowd-pleasing, handheld feast—crispy on the outside with warm, cheesy, and flavorful beef on the inside. With versatile cooking options and endless topping possibilities, these make a perfect snack, appetizer, or laid-back meal. Roll, crisp, garnish, and enjoy every crunchy bite!
Print
Beef Taquitos
- Total Time: 25–35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (12 taquitos)
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Crispy corn tortillas filled with savory seasoned beef and melted cheese, these Beef Taquitos are perfect for snacking, parties, or a fun, casual meal.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef or shredded cooked beef
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
½ cup tomato sauce or salsa
½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
12 small corn tortillas
Vegetable oil for frying or cooking spray for baking
Guacamole, sour cream, salsa, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté diced onion in a skillet with oil until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. If using shredded beef, heat through.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook 1–2 minutes.
- Add tomato sauce or salsa and simmer 3–5 minutes. Stir in cheese and let cool slightly.
- Warm tortillas until pliable. Place ~2 tablespoons of filling on each, roll tightly, and secure with toothpicks if needed.
- For frying: Heat oil to 350°F and fry taquitos seam-side down for 2–3 minutes per side. Drain.
- For baking: Preheat oven to 425°F, place taquitos on a baking sheet, spray or brush with oil, and bake 15–20 minutes, turning halfway.
- For air frying: Preheat to 400°F, air fry seam-side down for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Remove toothpicks and serve taquitos with desired toppings.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or chicken as a substitute.
- Make ahead and store unbaked taquitos in the fridge for a few hours before cooking.
- Serve with classic Mexican sides like rice and beans.
- Freeze cooked taquitos and reheat from frozen for a quick snack.
- Use pepper jack or queso fresco for cheese variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Fry/Bake/Air Fry
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 taquitos
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
