
When I want to indulge at a Mexican fast food restaurant, I get an order of your Classic Ground Beef Taquitos.
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I only make these at home every once in a while because they would be gone in two seconds FLAT. Not only that, but I don’t like the smell of fried food in my home. It seems to linger for days…
Then football season comes around, I take out my fat girl pants, and I get my grub on!
Table of Contents
How To Make Beef Taquitos
Making this dish should NOT be a chore. Chores are for 9-year-olds, not busy people like you and me.
I’m going to give you some shortcuts on how to prepare the meat for your Classic Ground Beef Taquitos.
- Tip 1: Got leftover ground beef? Add it to a pan with tomato molcajete salsa (or your favorite red salsa). Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Tip 2: Got uncooked ground beef? Cook it. Drain it. Add your favorite salsa. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Tip 3: Got no ground beef, but you’re looking for mouthwatering food pictures? Keep scrolling! 😀
Now you are halfway to eating some taquitos without visiting your amigos at the Mexican restaurant down the street.
• These are beef and cheese taquitos. You can make these only beef and omit the cheese.
You want to use corn tortillas for your homemade Beef Taquitos.
Unfortunately, they don’t fold very easily. I think it’s something in the way they are processed.
- To make the tortilla pliable, you have to nuke them for 30 seconds in the microwave.
- Or if you don’t believe in microwaves, stick them in a warm oven for a few minutes.
If you don’t warm them up, the tortilla will break on you. This will making rolling the taquitos very difficult. No bueno!
How to Roll Taquitos
You need toothpicks. Remember when you were a kid, and they would hand them out at restaurants? Nowadays, I hardly ever see them.
I only use them when I am rolling up Ground Beef Taquitos. Once they are cooked, don’t forget to take them out, or someone could get hurt.
All that is left now is to fry them for a few minutes on each side, and hit the gym … TOMORROW. 😉
For Oven Taquitos:
If you are not interested in frying the taquitos, you can put them in the oven. 425 degrees F for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
For Chicken Taquitos or Turkey Taquitos:
I know there are some of you who do not eat red meat.
Instead, you can use ground chicken or leftover Thanksgiving turkey and follow the same procedure.
What kinds of oils are good for frying?
- Peanut oil
- Soybean oil
- Canola oil
- Vegetable oil
I used canola oil to fry the Classic Ground Beef Taquitos.
What kinds of healthy oils can you use for frying?
Extra light olive oil and sunflower oil are excellent oils. They have unsaturated fats for a heart healthy diet and a high smoke point perfect for frying.
How to Freeze Beef Taquitos
- Bake or fry the taquitos as normal. Let them cool.
- Place them in a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze.
- To reheat, wrap the taquitos in a paper towel. Microwave for 1 minute. They will not be very crunchy.
- The best way to reheat taquitos is by placing them in an oven at 375 F for 15 minutes.
Fully cooked, taquitos last 3-4 days in the fridge.
Fully cooked, taquitos last up to 3 months in the freezer.
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Taquitos Vs. Flautas
Basically, they are the same thing.
My family is from Durango, Mexico. It’s a northern state. I grew up thinking:
- taquitos were made with corn tortillas
- flautas were made with flour tortillas
Then, I started traveling around Mexico and learned that some people called taquitos “flautas.” Trust me, I was very confused.
What I do nowadays is if I see the word “taquitos” or “flautas” on a menu, I ask what type of tortilla they are using: corn or flour?
I also ask what part of Mexico they are from. I’m always curious to see what people call their foods in different regions.
What are rolled tacos?
This is another name for taquitos or flautas. Rolled tacos, taquitos, flautas, they are all the same thing.
Simply put, Ground Beef Taquitos are delicious. Serve with guacamole or more Mexican red salsa. Hope you enjoy.
Classic Ground Beef Taquitos
Equipment
- toothpicks
Ingredients
- ½ lb ground beef
- ½ cup salsa (of your choice)
- 1 dozen corn tortillas
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups oil
- More salsa optional
- Guacamole optional
Instructions
- Cook ground beef, drain, and return to pan with your favorite salsa.
- Let simmer for 5 minutes. Then remove from heat.
- Warm tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds.
- Add a spoonful of ground beef to the tortilla.
- Add shredded cheese.
- Roll up and tie with a toothpick, as shown in picture above.
- Set aside. Repeat.
- Heat oil in a pan.
- Fry taquitos 3-minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
- Drain on a paper towel.
- Serve with salsa and/ or guacamole.
- NOTE: Do not overcrowd the pan, or they will not cook properly.
Video
Notes
- To make the tortilla pliable, you have to nuke them for 30 seconds in the microwave.
- Or if you don’t believe in microwaves, stick them in a warm oven for a few minutes.
If you are not interested in frying the taquitos, you can put them in the oven. 425 degrees F for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
More Mexican appetizers:
Potato Taquitos are perfect for game day. A crispy and yummy appetizer that you’re sure to love. Serve with your favorite Mexican salsa. Enjoy!
Salsa Borracha (or Drunk Salsa) is a delicious topping for your carne asada tacos or grilled meats. This Mexican recipe is made with beer, but no worries. The alcohol burns off, leaving a rich and deep flavor.
For Game Day, there is nothing better than Carne Asada Fries. A delicious and absolutely addicting appetizer and topped with grilled meats, salsa, guacamole, and more! The best part is that they are super easy-to-make.
Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.
What brand of corn tortillas do you use? Mine always tear apart?
It depends. Mission, Guerrero, you name it. I have tried them all. Sometimes, the fall apart has to do with moisture. Put them in them microwave for 30 seconds to remove the moisture. Hope this helps.
I grew up eating ground beef taquitos but fix it different. Mix cheese and spices into raw ground beef. Shape the ground beef into sausages and wrap in tortilla seal with toothpick and fry on medium heat. The beef is fully cooked after frying.
Shaped into sausage? That sounds interesting. I’ll have to try that next time I make ground beef taquitos.
Oh my gosh, those corn tortillas are tricky! I heated them in a warm oven, but they still fell apart. Hope that they are messy but good!
It sounds like your tortillas developed moisture from the bag. That is usually what causes them to fall apart. Those are not good for frying.
When I made my taquitos Alfredo for about a minute and when I put a toothpick in it held a lot better
Yes! Use lots of toothpicks.
These look divine. Such a wonderful treat and enjoyed many while visiting Mexico. I’ve never thought of making at them home…hmmm. Thanks for the recipe. I know what’s for dinner next Tuesday now.
Thank you! Hope you try this recipe, it’s delicious!
Everything looks so delicious. I have to make these for my kids. I am also Mexican. My parents are from Zacatecas and DF.
How fun! I’m sure your kids will love this recipe!
This beef taquitos looks delicious I need to try it for my self.
So glad you enjoyed this!
I have never made taquitos. This would be a fun recipe to try for Taco night!
Yumm taco night! Sounds delicious