Name: Beef Taquitos
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1/2 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil; 1/4 medium onion, (diced); 1 pound ground beef; Taco Seasoning (use the entire recipe of our homemade taco seasoning*); 1/4 cup water; 20 corn tortillas; 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese or cheddar cheese; Oil, (if you are frying the taquitos); Toppings: (shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole)

These homemade Beef Taquitos are filled with seasoned ground beef and cheese, then fried, baked, or air fried until crispy. Perfect for dinner or game day!

These beef taquitos are a weeknight staple at my house. Filled with seasoned ground beef and cheese, rolled in corn tortillas, and cooked until crispy, they're a fun twist on ground beef tacos. You can fry them, bake them, or use the air fryer. My boys love dunking them in guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. Whether it's a casual dinner or a game day snack, these hit the spot.

Why You’ll Love This Beef Taquitos

Three cooking methods give you crispy taquitos your way, whether you prefer baking, frying, or air frying.
The seasoned ground beef filling takes just 10 minutes on the stove.
Serve them as a meal or an appetizer, they're always a crowd-pleaser.

Key Ingredients for the Best Beef Taquitos

Corn tortillas: Use fresh, pliable tortillas. White or yellow both work. If they're stale, they may crack when rolling.
Taco seasoning: Homemade gives the best flavor, but store-bought works. If using store-bought, adjust salt in the recipe.
Cheese: Mexican blend, cheddar, or Monterey Jack. Shred your own for better melt.

Kitchen Tools for Making Taquitos

Large skillet for browning the beef.
Deep skillet or Dutch oven for deep-frying (holds at least 2 inches of oil).
Air fryer (if using that method).
Baking sheet lined with parchment for baking or resting after frying.
Toothpicks to secure rolled taquitos (optional but helpful).

Tips for Perfectly Crispy Taquitos

When browning the ground beef, drain off excess fat after cooking, then again after adding taco seasoning and water to avoid soggy taquitos. To make tortillas pliable, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for a minute, this prevents cracking when you roll. Roll each taquito tightly and secure with a toothpick if needed; it helps them hold together during cooking.

Pro Tips for Frying and Air Frying Taquitos

For perfectly crispy fried taquitos, keep the oil at a steady 350°F. Fry in small batches, 3 to 4 at a time, to avoid dropping the oil temperature. When baking, make sure the taquitos are in a single layer without touching, and brush or spray with oil for even browning. If using an air fryer, flip halfway through and spray again for an all-around crunch.

Choosing a Cooking Method for Beef Taquitos

Each cooking method gives a slightly different result. Baking yields a lighter, less greasy taquito. Frying gives the classic crunchy shell and rich flavor. The air fryer is a happy medium: crispy with less oil. Choose based on your time and preference.

Easy Variations for Beef Taquitos

For a lighter version, swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. You can also make vegetarian taquitos by using seasoned black beans or refried beans. If you like heat, add diced jalapeños to the beef mixture or use pepper jack cheese. For a dairy-free option, skip the cheese or use a vegan shred.

Best Ways to Serve Beef Taquitos

Load up your taquitos with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and salsa or pico de gallo. Guacamole or diced avocado adds creaminess, and pickled red onions or jalapeño slices give a tangy kick. For a full meal, serve them with cilantro lime rice, Mexican rice, refried beans, or a side of corn salad. They also pair well with queso for dipping.

How to Store Leftover Beef Taquitos

Store leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can You Freeze Beef Taquitos?

To freeze, assemble the taquitos but don't cook them. Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to one month. When ready, cook directly from frozen following any of the three methods, adding a minute or two to the cooking time.

How to Reheat Taquitos So They Stay Crispy

For crispy reheated taquitos, the oven or air fryer works best. Preheat to 350°F, place taquitos on a baking sheet, spray with oil, and bake for 10-15 minutes. In an air fryer, reheat at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. Microwaving is quicker but will soften the tortillas.

Recipe

Beef Taquitos

4.8/5 (9 ratings)

Pin recipe

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 20 min
Total: 35 min
Servings: 6 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Course: Dinner

Ingredients

1/2 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
1/4 medium onion, (diced)
1 pound ground beef
Taco Seasoning (use the entire recipe of our homemade taco seasoning*)
1/4 cup water
20 corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese or cheddar cheese
Oil, (if you are frying the taquitos)
Toppings: (shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole)

Instructions

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the ground beef and brown for about 5 minutes, breaking up the meat into small pieces using a wooden spoon. Cook until meat is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
Add the taco seasoning and water; stir to combine. Simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and drain off any excess liquid. Set aside.
Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and place on a plate. Microwave for 1 minute, flipping halfway through, or until tortillas are pliable. Remove from the microwave and keep covered while you assemble the taquitos.
Lay out one tortilla at a time on a flat surface. Place a heaping tablespoon of ground beef in the center of the tortillas. Top with about a tablespoon of shredded cheese. Tightly roll up each tortilla tightly. You can use toothpicks to make sure they stay securely rolled up. Continue assembling taquitos.
To bake the taquitos: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the taquitos in a single layer on the pan, seam side down, making sure they are not touching. Spray the tops of the taquitos with cooking oil or brush with avocado oil. Bake for 15-20minutes or until crispy and golden brown.
To fry the taquitos: Pour the oil into the bottom of a deep skillet, about 2-inches deep. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering hot, it should be at 350 degrees F. Once hot, add 3 to 4 taquitos, seam side down, and fry until crisp and golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Use tongs to rotate the taquitos during cooking to make sure they get crisp on all sides.
To use the air fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400 degreesF. Place the taquitos in a single layer in the basket, seam side down. You will have to cook in batches. Spray the taquitos with cooking spray, air fry for 5 minutes, flip and spray again, then air fry for 2 more minutes or until crispy. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining taquitos.
Transfer to a baking sheet or tray that has been lined with paper towels. Repeat with remaining taquitos, adjusting the temperature of the oil, if necessary.
If you used toothpicks, remove, and serve with desired toppings.