Beef Taquitos Recipe: A Crunchy, Flavorful Fiesta in Every Bite
Are you ready to tantalize your taste buds with a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or snack? Look no further than these beef taquitos! This recipe delivers crispy, golden-brown taquitos bursting with savory seasoned beef. Perfect for game day, parties, or a quick weeknight dinner, these taquitos are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
What are Beef Taquitos?
Beef taquitos are essentially rolled-up tortillas filled with seasoned ground beef and then deep-fried or baked until crispy. They're a Mexican-inspired snack that's incredibly versatile. You can easily adjust the spices to your liking, add different cheeses or vegetables, and even use different types of tortillas for variation.
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe yields approximately 24 taquitos. Adjust ingredient quantities as needed.
- For the Beef Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel), undrained
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Taquitos:
- 12-15 small corn or flour tortillas (6-inch size works best)
- Cooking oil (vegetable or canola) for frying, or cooking spray for baking
- Optional toppings: Sour cream, guacamole, salsa, shredded cheese
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Preparing the Delicious Beef Filling:
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté the aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Simmer the seasoned beef: Stir in the diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel), chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the flavors have melded and the liquid has reduced slightly. Let the mixture cool completely before assembling the taquitos. This step is crucial for easy rolling and preventing messy spills.
Assembling and Cooking the Taquitos:
- Prepare the tortillas: Lay out your tortillas on a clean surface.
- Fill the tortillas: Spoon approximately 2-3 tablespoons of the cooled beef filling onto the center of each tortilla.
- Roll the taquitos: Fold in the sides of the tortilla, then tightly roll it up from one end to the other, like a burrito. You can use a toothpick to secure the roll if needed, but it usually holds together well without.
- Fry or bake:
- Frying: Heat about 1 inch of cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the taquitos in the hot oil, seam-side down, and fry in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Arrange the taquitos on the baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve your crispy beef taquitos hot with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and shredded cheese.
Tips for the Perfect Beef Taquitos:
- Don't overcrowd the pan: When frying, avoid overcrowding the pan; this will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy taquitos. Fry in batches to ensure even browning.
- Cool the filling completely: This prevents the filling from leaking out during the rolling and cooking process.
- Get creative with fillings: Experiment with different cheeses, beans, or vegetables to customize your taquitos.
- Use a variety of toppings: Offer a range of dipping sauces and toppings to cater to diverse preferences.
Enjoy your delicious homemade beef taquitos! They're guaranteed to be a hit with everyone. Remember to share your culinary creations using #BeefTaquitosRecipe.
