Description
These Crispy Beef Taquitos Rolls are a flavorful and fun appetizer or meal option featuring ground beef seasoned with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and other spices, wrapped in warm corn tortillas, and cooked until golden and crispy. Perfect for dipping in guacamole, sour cream, or salsa, they offer a satisfying crunch combined with a rich, cheesy beef filling.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Filling
- 1 lb Ground Beef (or shredded cooked beef)
- 1 medium Onion (finely diced)
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp Chili Powder (adjust based on spice tolerance)
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Black Pepper, to taste
- 1 cup Tomato Sauce or Salsa (choose your favorite)
- 1 cup Shredded Cheese (Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican Blend)
Taquitos and Cooking
- 12 Corn Tortillas
- Vegetable Oil, for frying (about 1/2 inch depth)
Serving and Garnishes
- Guacamole (for dipping)
- Sour Cream
- Salsa
- Shredded Lettuce
- Diced Tomatoes
- Chopped Cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the onion and garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Season the beef mixture: Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper over the beef. Toast the spices for 1-2 minutes to release their flavors.
- Add tomato sauce and cheese: Pour in your choice of tomato sauce or salsa and let the mixture simmer until thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the shredded cheese until fully melted and combined.
- Warm the tortillas: Individually heat the corn tortillas to make them pliable by warming them in a dry skillet or microwaving for 20-30 seconds covered with a damp paper towel to keep them soft and flexible.
- Assemble the taquitos: Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of the beef filling onto the lower third of each tortilla. Roll the tortillas tightly around the filling to enclose it. Secure with a toothpick if desired.
- Cook the taquitos: For frying, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (about 1/2 inch deep) in a deep skillet. Fry each taquito for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy, then drain on paper towels. Alternatively, bake the taquitos at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, or air fry at 400°F for 6-8 minutes until crisp.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove toothpicks if used and serve the crispy beef taquitos immediately with guacamole, sour cream, salsa, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro as desired.
Notes
- For a healthier version, bake or air fry the taquitos instead of frying.
- Use corn tortillas warmed properly to prevent cracking when rolling.
- You can substitute ground beef with shredded cooked beef for a different texture.
- Adjust chili powder according to your spice tolerance.
- Remove toothpicks before eating to avoid choking hazards.
