These crispy beef taquitos recipe are the perfect combination of seasoned shredded beef wrapped in corn tortillas and fried to golden perfection. Whether you're planning a Mexican-inspired dinner or looking for crowd-pleasing party appetizers, this beef taquitos recipe delivers restaurant-quality results right in your kitchen. The crispy exterior gives way to tender, flavorful meat that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Why You'll Love These Beef Taquitos Recipe
Taquitos, also known as rolled tacos, are a beloved Mexican dish that's gained popularity worldwide for good reason. This beef taquitos recipe uses simple ingredients but delivers complex flavors thanks to a perfectly seasoned filling. They're versatile enough to serve as an appetizer, main course, or party snack, and you can easily make them ahead of time for convenient meal prep.
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Ingredients
the Beef Filling:
- 2 pounds beef chuck roast, trimmed
- 1 white onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth
Assembly:
- 24 corn tortillas (6-inch)
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Toothpicks for securing
Serving:
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Salsa roja
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Crumbled queso fresco
Instructions
Preparing the Beef Filling
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper, then sear on all sides until well-browned, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Add the diced onion and garlic to the pot, cooking until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle cumin, chili powder, and oregano over the meat. Pour in the beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2.5-3 hours, or until the meat is tender enough to shred easily with two forks.
- Remove the meat from the pot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the cooking liquid and simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Assembling and Cooking the Taquitos
- Heat ½ inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- Warm the corn tortillas in the microwave wrapped in damp paper towels for 30 seconds, or until pliable. This prevents cracking during rolling.
- Place about 2-3 tablespoons of the beef filling in a line across the lower third of each tortilla.
- Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling and secure with a toothpick. Place seam-side down on a plate.
- Working in batches, fry the taquitos for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Remove toothpicks before serving.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
- Cooked taquitos can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- To freeze, arrange cooked and cooled taquitos in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months
- Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until crispy and heated through
Dietary Modifications
- Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free when using 100% corn tortillas
- Dairy-Free: Simply omit the queso fresco and sour cream from the toppings
- Low-Carb: Use lettuce wraps instead of corn tortillas for a keto-friendly version
Equipment For Beef Taquitos Recipe
- Large Dutch oven or slow cooker
- Large skillet for frying
- Tongs for handling hot taquitos
- Meat thermometer
- Paper towels
- Toothpicks
Top Tip
Don't overfill the tortillas, as this can cause them to split during frying
Keep the oil temperature consistent for even cooking
Warm tortillas properly to prevent cracking
Pat the shredded beef dry if it seems too wet, as excess moisture can make the taquitos soggy
FAQ
Yes, you can prepare the beef filling up to 2 days ahead and assemble/fry the taquitos just before serving. You can also freeze assembled but unfried taquitos for up to 3 months.
Yes, brush the rolled taquitos with oil and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until crispy. While the texture won't be quite the same as fried, they'll still be delicious.
Keep them warm in a 200°F oven on a wire rack until ready to serve. This maintains crispiness without making them greasy.
This beef taquitos recipe brings the authentic taste of Mexican street food right to your kitchen. With crispy corn tortillas wrapped around perfectly seasoned shredded beef, these taquitos are sure to become a family favorite. Whether you're serving them as an appetizer or main course, they're guaranteed to disappear quickly.
Give them a try and let us know how they turned out in the comments below!
Recent Recipe: If you loved the Crispy Beef Taquitos Recipe, you’ll also enjoy The Best Chicken Meatloaf Recipe for a deliciously savory meal.
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Pairing
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Crispy Beef Taquitos Recipe
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven or slow cooker
- Large skillet for frying
- Tongs for handling hot taquitos
- Meat thermometer
- Paper Towels
- Toothpicks
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast
- 1 onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth
For Assembly
- 24 corn tortillas 6-inch
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Toothpicks
For Serving
- Guacamole or sliced avocado
- Pico de gallo
- Sour cream
- Shredded lettuce
- Queso fresco
Instructions
Prepare the Beef
- Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat
- Season beef with salt and pepper; sear all sides until browned
- Add onion and garlic; cook until softened
- Add spices and broth
- Cover, reduce heat to low; simmer 2.5-3 hours until tender
- Shred beef; return to pot to absorb remaining liquid
Assemble Taquitos
- Warm tortillas until pliable
- Place 2-3 tablespoon beef across lower third of each tortilla
- Roll tightly; secure with toothpick
- Heat ½ inch oil to 350°F
- Fry in batches, 2-3 minutes per side until crispy
- Drain on paper towels; remove toothpicks
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