Description
These Best Ever Beef Taquitos are crispy, flavorful rolled tortillas filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, spices, and melted cheese. Perfect as a delicious appetizer or snack, they can be fried to golden perfection or baked for a healthier alternative. Serve warm with sour cream, guacamole, or salsa for an authentic Mexican treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Taquitos Assembly
- 12 small corn tortillas
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil plus more for frying or brushing
- Toothpicks for securing
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it apart, until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the finely diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add Spices and Salsa: Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well, then add the salsa and cook for an additional 2 minutes until everything is well combined.
- Incorporate Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and immediately stir in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until melted and evenly mixed into the beef mixture.
- Warm the Tortillas: Wrap the corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds to make them pliable for rolling.
- Roll the Taquitos: Place a few tablespoons of the beef and cheese mixture along one side of each tortilla. Roll tightly into a taquito and secure with a toothpick.
- Fry the Taquitos: Pour about 1 inch of vegetable oil into a skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the taquitos seam-side down and fry in batches 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Alternatively, Bake the Taquitos: Arrange the rolled taquitos on a baking sheet and brush or spray lightly with vegetable oil. Bake at 425°F for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crisp and golden brown.
- Serve: Remove toothpicks and serve taquitos warm with sour cream, guacamole, or your favorite salsa.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or shredded chicken for the beef for a lighter option.
- Add diced green chilies to the beef mixture for extra flavor and spice.
- If baking, lightly spray the taquitos with cooking spray to achieve a crispier texture.
- Make sure the tortillas are warmed to prevent cracking when rolling.
- Use toothpicks to secure tightly rolled taquitos to keep the filling from spilling during cooking.
