This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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!
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.
Don’t forget to Pin this for Later.
Follow me on Pinterest.
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.
For more Mexican appetizers:
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”>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.
Oh yum! I make something like these often but hadn’t thought about frying them after rolling them up.
Oh yeah! Who doesn’t like fried food? 🙂
I’ve never tried taquitos, but wow these look delicious! Going to have to try these soon!
Mind blown! I can’t believe you’ve never had taquitos before. You MUST try this recipe out or order them next time you’re at a Mexican restaurant.
They look so delicious! I have to try them!
Yes, you must. Hope you like them!
I have been craving these all day since I saw your Instagram this morning…this post is making is even worse!! These look so good!!
LOL. I know the feeling. I wish I had a batch of these myself.
This beef taquitos recipe looks wonderful! I can’t wait to try this great new dish! Thank you for sharing!
Hope you enjoy!
Goodness, these look good! My family would love these.
My family LOVES these too. 🙂
Can I bake these instead of fry them?
Yes, of course. 425 degrees F for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Those look so good, I haven’t had taquitos in years. All I was doing was innocently searching for dinner appetizers and your page came up. All my ground beef is frozen 🙁 oh wait…….I have a microwave!!! OMG I gotta feed my fat baby! LOL
Thanks for the awesome looking recipe!
lol. You’re too funny. Taquitos are sooo good! Hope you liked them.
I made these, but when it came time to load the tortillas, the tortillas couldn’t take the meat and totally crumbled! I warmed them in the microwave and everything! I had to send the husband out to get some flour tortillas and go from there. They are in the oven now, hopefully they will still be good!
Oh no! Sounds like the tortillas were either too wet – sometimes they can pick up moisture – or they were old. It’s really hard to tell if they are old on the shelf. I actually think it has to do with the preservative they use, but I’m not 100% positive on that. The ones on the end of the stack will sometimes be wet. Instead, use the ones in the center. You can also make this recipe for ground beef taquitos with flour tortillas, but to me then they are called flautas.
How did they turn out in the end?
Theese are a weekly staple in our home thank you for such a delicious and easy week night dinner I serve with Spanish rice and chips and salsa !!
Yum! That sounds delicious. I wish they were a weekly staple at our house. We only eat them on special occasions.
My family has been making this type of ground beef and cheese taquitos over 50 years. However we had cumin salt pepper, dried red chile flakes, onion powder and coriander powder. Mix the uncooked ground beef with spices and cheese. one pound of beef will make a dozen taquitos. warm tortillas and roll the meat mix to a sausage link and wrap in tortilla. Fry till torillas a golden brown. Believe it or not the beef is fully cooked and cheese melty
That’s interesting. Sound delish!
I have never been to Mexico but those taquitos are a great way to experience the cuisine. I would love to watch a game and chow down on a plate of those
That’s the perfect plan! Hope you try them
These look so amazing. I’ll have to make them for dinner–I know everyone will be a fan.
I think so too delicious glad you liked it
Those taquitos look so delicious! I agree…they wouldn’t last long in our house!
Right? This recipe is the best!
Haha I like how you described it as “like a piñata”. Gosh this looks so great.
Glad you enjoyed this Nikki!