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    Home » Recipes » Beef » Classic Ground Beef Taquitos

    Classic Ground Beef Taquitos

    Last Updated June 26, 2019. Originally Posted June 3, 2019 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Classic Ground Beef Taquitos. Dip this crunchy and delicious Mexican appetizer into salsa or guacamole, and it’s like a piñata breaking in your mouth. 
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Classic Ground Beef Taquitos. Crunchy and delicious. Dip them into salsa or guacamole, and it’s like a piñata breaking in your mouth. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Classic Ground Beef Taquitos. Crunchy and delicious. Dip them into salsa or guacamole, and it’s like a piñata breaking in your mouth. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    When I want to indulge at a Mexican fast food restaurant, I get an order of your Classic Ground Beef Taquitos.

    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!

    Classic Ground Beef Taquitos. Crunchy and delicious. Dip them into salsa or guacamole, and it’s like a piñata breaking in your mouth.

    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.

    To Make Shredded Beef Taquitos or or Steak Taquitos: Cook the beef and chop or shred into small pieces. Then follow this same procedure of cooking the beef with salsa, then rolling and frying.

    Classic Ground Beef Taquitos. Crunchy and delicious. Dip them into salsa or guacamole, and it’s like a piñata breaking in your mouth. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    • 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!

    Classic Ground Beef Taquitos. Crunchy and delicious. Dip them into salsa or guacamole, and it’s like a piñata breaking in your mouth. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    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 those of you with a deep frying, the Classic Ground Beef Taquitos will cook in half the time. 3 minutes in the fryer, and they are ready.

    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.

    Classic Ground Beef Taquitos. Crunchy and delicious. Dip them into salsa or guacamole, and it’s like a piñata breaking in your mouth. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    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.


    Classic Ground Beef Taquitos. Crunchy and delicious. Dip them into salsa or guacamole, and it’s like a piñata breaking in your mouth. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen
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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. Crunchy and delicious. Dip them into salsa or guacamole, and it’s like a piñata breaking in your mouth. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Classic Ground Beef Taquitos

    Classic Ground Beef Taquitos. Dip this crunchy and delicious Mexican appetizer into salsa or guacamole, and it’s like a piñata breaking in your mouth. 
    4.94 from 29 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 18 minutes
    Total Time: 38 minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 94kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    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 heat tortillas:
    • 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.
    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 104mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 76IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.


    For more Mexican appetizers:


    Potato and Cheese Taquitos topped with shredded cabbage, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and Mexican crema

    Potato and Cheese Taquitos”>Potato and Cheese 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) in a bowl with cilantro

    Salsa Borracha”>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.


    Carne Asada Fries in a container with white napkin slices of beef

    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.

    Filed Under: Appetizers, Beef, Mexican, Recipes

    About Maggie Unzueta

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melissa Dixon

      February 25, 2021 at 6:38 am

      I bet my daughter would love these! I will have to make them for her soon, she has been picky lately but this may do the trick.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        March 10, 2021 at 8:35 am

        I think it will! Glad you enjoyed this

        Reply
    2. Heather

      February 25, 2021 at 6:44 am

      5 stars
      We love taquitos! We made them in the air fryer and they turned out great.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        March 10, 2021 at 8:35 am

        So glad you enjoyed them!

        Reply
      • Mommaof4

        August 19, 2021 at 1:17 pm

        Thank you for this easy yummy recipe!!!!!!

        Reply
        • Maggie Unzueta

          September 14, 2021 at 9:56 am

          Yes, it is. 🙂 Thank you!

    3. Briana Baker

      February 25, 2021 at 7:30 am

      5 stars
      These look so good! Ground beef is always on sale and I am always looking for more things to do with it! I’ll try this soon!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        March 10, 2021 at 8:34 am

        Glad you enjoyed this

        Reply
    4. Kathy

      February 25, 2021 at 9:28 am

      I love taquitos. My daughters like the chicken ones and I like beef. I would definitely like to try out this recipe.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        March 10, 2021 at 8:33 am

        Hope you do! It’s delicious

        Reply
    5. Marysa

      February 25, 2021 at 7:57 pm

      I have never made taquitos. This would be a fun recipe to try for Taco night!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        April 27, 2021 at 11:29 am

        Yumm taco night! Sounds delicious

        Reply
    6. Swathi

      February 25, 2021 at 10:08 pm

      This beef taquitos looks delicious I need to try it for my self.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        April 27, 2021 at 11:29 am

        So glad you enjoyed this!

        Reply
    7. Kristal Leon

      February 26, 2021 at 6:41 am

      5 stars
      Everything looks so delicious. I have to make these for my kids. I am also Mexican. My parents are from Zacatecas and DF.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        November 2, 2021 at 10:48 am

        How fun! I’m sure your kids will love this recipe!

        Reply
    8. Rosemary

      February 26, 2021 at 11:16 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        April 27, 2021 at 11:23 am

        Thank you! Hope you try this recipe, it’s delicious!

        Reply
    9. Christina

      April 7, 2021 at 10:17 pm

      5 stars
      When I made my taquitos Alfredo for about a minute and when I put a toothpick in it held a lot better

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        October 11, 2021 at 4:29 pm

        Yes! Use lots of toothpicks.

        Reply
    10. Margo Lynn Turley

      September 8, 2021 at 6:04 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        September 14, 2021 at 10:25 am

        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.

        Reply
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