Description
These Beef Taquitos are a delicious Mexican appetizer featuring crispy, golden-fried tortillas filled with seasoned ground beef and melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Perfectly spiced and served with salsa, sour cream, or fresh toppings, they’re a crowd-pleasing snack that’s easy to prepare and irresistible in flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Tortillas & Frying
- 12 small flour or corn tortillas
- Vegetable oil for frying (about 1/2 inch in skillet)
Optional Toppings
- Salsa
- Sour cream
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Cook the beef mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
- Add cheese to the filling: Stir in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until well combined.
- Prepare the tortillas: Warm the tortillas slightly to make them pliable and easier to roll without cracking.
- Assemble the taquitos: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the beef and cheese mixture along one edge of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling and secure with a toothpick if necessary to keep it closed.
- Heat oil for frying: In a large skillet, heat 1/2 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
- Fry the taquitos: Carefully place the rolled taquitos in the hot oil in batches, frying for 2 to 3 minutes per side or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to turn them gently.
- Drain and serve: Remove the taquitos from the oil and drain on paper towels. Remove any toothpicks before serving. Serve hot with salsa, sour cream, chopped cilantro, or diced tomatoes as desired.
Notes
- For a healthier alternative, bake the taquitos at 400°F (200°C) for 15 to 20 minutes, turning halfway through, until crispy.
- Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free version.
- Ensure the filling isn’t too wet to prevent soggy taquitos.
- Be careful when frying with hot oil; do not overcrowd the pan to maintain oil temperature.
- You can substitute cheeses or add jalapeños for extra heat.
