Ground Beef Taquitos (Baked or Fried)
Ground Beef Taquitos with cheese are crispy rolled tacos that can be made baked or fried and served with your favorite toppings.
Taquitos or Flauta?
Taquitos are rolled tacos with any type of filling and a corn tortilla. Flautas are made with flour tortillas and a filling of your choice. However, I’ve seen Taquito, Rolled Taco, and Flauta used interchangeably based on what region you’re from.
Try my recipe for Baked Shredded Chicken Flautas.
Ingredients
These ground beef taquitos use simple ingredients:
- Ground Beef
- Taco Seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
- Refried Beans (optional)
- Shredded Cheese
- Corn Tortillas
In addition to the taquito ingredients, you want to serve them with some toppings. These can include:
- Shredded Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Radishes
- Pickled Onions
- Guacamole
- Crema or sour cream
Similar ingredients are used for these Mexican Picadillo Tacos.
How to Roll Taquitos
Start by warming up the corn tortillas to make them more pliable. Place them on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Heat on high for 30 seconds or until they are slightly warm.
Layer on Shredded Cheese, I used Monterrey Jack, but use your favorite. Pepper Jack cheese adds a nice kick, and I recommend shredding your own cheese for the best flavor.
Then add the taco-seasoned ground beef. I also made some with a layer of refried beans.
Roll the tortilla tightly, while trying to keep all the ingredients inside. Seal taquitos by threading a toothpick at the seam to hold it in place. Continue rolling your remaining taquitos.
How to Deep Fry Taquitos
To deep fry the taquitos, add a high heat oil (canola, vegetable, peanut, or avocado oil), to a deep skillet or pot. You want just enough oil to cover the taquito at least halfway. Heat the oil over medium high heat until it reaches 350 F.
Carefully place taquitos in the oil, but don’t overcrowd the pan. Flip them over once they start developing some color.
When both sides are golden, remove and allow the taquitos to drain and cool on a paper towel-lined plate.
How to Bake Taquitos
Start by pre-heating your oven to 400 F. Place the rolled taquitos on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spay each one with oil or use a pastry brush to coat it with oil.
Place in the oven for 10 minutes, remove and flip each taquito over. Spray more oil if needed and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until golden. You can also turn the broiler on for the last 2 minutes to get them extra crispy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Toothpicks are an easy way to keep taquitos sealed. You can use 1 or 2 and thread them at the edge of the seam.
Yes! You can freeze cooked taquitos and It seems to work best with fried ones. Allow them to cool completely then place the fried taquitos in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Reheat in an air fryer or oven until warmed through.
Serving and Storing
*Important* Make sure you remove the toothpicks from each taquito before serving.
These ground beef taquitos can be served as finger food with dips like guacamole, sour cream, and salsa. Or serve them on a plate topped with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, radishes, jalapenos, and a nice drizzle of Mexican crema.
Store leftover taquitos in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer until warmed through.
Ground Beef Taquito Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 Packet Low Sodium Taco Seasoning or see note below on homemade seasoning
- 8 ounces Cheese (your preference and shredded)
- 16 Corn Tortillas
- Oil for Frying or Spray Oil (use a neutral high heat oil)
- Toppings: Lettuce, tomato, onions, avocado, crema, or sour cream.
Instructions
- Add ground beef to a skillet over medium heat. Cook halfway, add taco seasoning and continue cooking until done. Set aside to cool.
- Shred Cheese and chop any toppings you will be using so they are ready.
- Place tortillas on a microwave safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat on high for 30 seconds or until tortillas are slightly warm.
- Roll taquitos by adding some cheese and seasoned ground beef. You can also add refried beans if you like. Make a tight roll and thread a toothpick to seal it in place.
- To fry the taquitos, heat a large skillet or pot with oil. You need enough oil to cover the taquito at least halfway. Use a thermometer to see when the oil reaches 350 F.
- Carefully place the taquitos in the oil using tongs, don't overcrowd the pan. Once one side is golden, flip it over to cook the other side. Remove taquitos and allow to drain and cool on a paper towel lined plate.
- To bake the taquitos, preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and place taquitos a half inch apart. Spray or brush each one generously with oil.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then flip each one over, add more oil if needed, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes. You can also turn on the broiler for the last 2 minutes to get them extra crispy.
- Remove toothpicks from taquitos before serving. Garnish with your favorite toppings or dips.
Video
Notes
- .75 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- .5 teaspoon Onion Powder
- .5 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- .25 teaspoon Black Pepper
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate only and depends on ingredients and amounts used. Thai Caliente makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
