Beef Taquitos

By Maria Lichty

Published on October 09, 2023

View RecipePin Recipe4.722

We love making taquitos for an easy weeknight meal or for easy entertaining. They are a favorite for game days! We love Chicken Taquitos, Black Bean Cheese Taquitos, and these Beef Taquitos.

If you like our ground beef tacos, I have a feeling you will love these Beef Taquitos too! They are similar, but taquitos are a rolled up taco that is filled with ground beef, spices, and cheese. Fry (or bake) until crispy! They are a fun twist on traditional tacos.

Serve with all of your favorite toppings and enjoy for an easy meal or party appetizer. My boys love dunking them in guacamole, salsa, and sour cream.

Ingredients

• Oil– for sautéing the onion and for frying, if that is your cooking method or choice. If you are frying the taquitos use an oil that has a high smoke point. I like to use avocado oil, but corn oil or vegetable oil work well too.
• Onion– adds flavor to the beef.
• Ground beef– you will need 1 pound of ground beef. Ground turkey will also work.
• Taco Seasoning– we like to use our homemade taco seasoning. Use the entire recipe. You can also use store bought taco seasoning.
• Water– for cooking the ground beef.
• Corn tortillas– you can use white or yellow corn tortillas. Use the freshest tortillas you can find.
• Cheese– use shredded Mexican blend cheese, cheddar cheese, or Monterey jack.

How to Make Beef Taquitos

• In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.

• Add the ground beef and brown for about 5 minutes, breaking up the meat into small pieces using a wooden spoon. Cook until meat is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.

• Add the taco seasoning and water; stir to combine. Simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and drain off any excess liquid. Set aside.

• Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and place on a plate. Microwave for 1 minute, flipping halfway through, or until tortillas are pliable. Remove from the microwave and keep covered while you assemble the taquitos.
• Lay out one tortilla at a time on a flat surface. Place a heaping tablespoon of ground beef in the center of the tortillas. Top with about a tablespoon of shredded cheese.

• Tightly roll up each tortilla tightly. You can use toothpicks to make sure they stay securely rolled up. Continue assembling taquitos.

You can bake the taquitos in the oven, fry them in oil, or fry them in an air fryer. All three methods will give you crispy taquitos, so use whatever method you prefer.

• To bake the taquitos: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the taquitos in a single layer on the pan, seam side down, making sure they are not touching. Spray the tops of the taquitos with cooking oil or brush with avocado oil. Bake for 15-20minutes or until crispy and golden brown.
• To fry the taquitos: Pour the oil into the bottom of a deep skillet, about 2-inches deep. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering hot, it should be at 350 degrees F. Once hot, add 3 to 4 taquitos, seam side down, and fry until crisp and golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Use tongs to rotate the taquitos during cooking to make sure they get crisp on all sides.
• To use the air fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400 degreesF. Place the taquitos in a single layer in the basket, seam side down. You will have to cook in batches. Spray the taquitos with cooking spray, air fry for 5 minutes, flip and spray again, then air fry for 2 more minutes or until crispy. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining taquitos.

• Transfer to a baking sheet or tray that has been lined with paper towels. Repeat with remaining taquitos, adjusting the temperature of the oil, if necessary.
• If you used toothpicks, remove, and serve with desired toppings.

Toppings

• Shredded lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Sour cream
• Salsa or pico de gallo
• Guacamole or diced avocado
• Pickled red onions
• Jalapeño slices
• Creamy cilantro lime dressing
• Go all out and dip them in queso!

What to Serve with Beef Taquitos

• Best Bean Dip
• Easy Refried Beans
• Mexican Rice
• Cilantro Lime Rice
• Corn Salad

How to Store & Freeze

• Leftover taquitos will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• To reheat, place them on a baking sheet and spray with cooking oil. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for about 15 minutes or until they are warm and crispy. You can also reheat in an air fryer for a couple of minutes until heated through. You can reheat in the microwave, but they might get a little soggy.
• You can freeze the taquitos before you bake or fry them. Place the taquitos on a baking sheet and freeze. When frozen, place taquitos in a freezer bag and freeze for up to one month. When ready to cook, follow cooking instructions for bake, fry, or air fryer. You might need to add an additional minute or two.

More Taquito & Taco Recipes

• Chicken Taquitos
• Black Bean Cheese Taquitos
• Ground Beef Tacos
• Grilled Steak Tacos
• Turkey Tacos
• Fish Tacos
• Easy Vegetarian Tacos

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Main Dishes

Beef Taquitos

These homemade taquitos are made with seasoned ground beef, cheese, and corn tortillas. They can be fried, baked, or made in the air fryer. These crispy rolled up tacos are a fun and delicious meal. Serve with your favorite toppings!

4.72 from 7 votes

PrintSave RecipeReview

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6 (20 taquitos)

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1/2 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
• 1/4 medium onion, diced
• 1 pound ground beef
• Taco Seasoning use the entire recipe of our homemade taco seasoning*
• 1/4 cup water
• 20 corn tortillas
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese or cheddar cheese
• Oil, if you are frying the taquitos
• Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole

Instructions

 

• In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the ground beef and brown for about 5 minutes, breaking up the meat into small pieces using a wooden spoon. Cook until meat is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
• Add the taco seasoning and water; stir to combine. Simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and drain off any excess liquid. Set aside.
• Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and place on a plate. Microwave for 1 minute, flipping halfway through, or until tortillas are pliable. Remove from the microwave and keep covered while you assemble the taquitos.
• Lay out one tortilla at a time on a flat surface. Place a heaping tablespoon of ground beef in the center of the tortillas. Top with about a tablespoon of shredded cheese. Tightly roll up each tortilla tightly. You can use toothpicks to make sure they stay securely rolled up. Continue assembling taquitos.
• To bake the taquitos: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the taquitos in a single layer on the pan, seam side down, making sure they are not touching. Spray the tops of the taquitos with cooking oil or brush with avocado oil. Bake for 15-20minutes or until crispy and golden brown.
• To fry the taquitos: Pour the oil into the bottom of a deep skillet, about 2-inches deep. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering hot, it should be at 350 degrees F. Once hot, add 3 to 4 taquitos, seam side down, and fry until crisp and golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Use tongs to rotate the taquitos during cooking to make sure they get crisp on all sides.
• To use the air fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400 degreesF. Place the taquitos in a single layer in the basket, seam side down. You will have to cook in batches. Spray the taquitos with cooking spray, air fry for 5 minutes, flip and spray again, then air fry for 2 more minutes or until crispy. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining taquitos.
• Transfer to a baking sheet or tray that has been lined with paper towels. Repeat with remaining taquitos, adjusting the temperature of the oil, if necessary.
• If you used toothpicks, remove, and serve with desired toppings.

Notes

You can use 1 packet of store-bought taco seasoning to season the beef.

Nutrition

Calories: 508kcal, Carbohydrates: 40g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 82mg, Sodium: 275mg, Potassium: 394mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 285IU, Vitamin C: 0.3mg, Calcium: 285mg, Iron: 3mg

Keywords beef

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