Taquitos were invented in 1940s San Diego by Mexican immigrants who discovered corn tortillas stayed crispier than flour when deep-fried.
Crispy Cheesy Beef Taquitos
Get ready to indulge in these mouthwatering crispy taquitos, bursting with flavorful seasoned beef and ooey-gooey cheese! Paired with a luscious avocado sauce that brings a creamy twist, these bites are perfect for any gathering or a cozy night in. You're just a few steps away from a fiesta on your plate!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
intermediate
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(8)
- 1 large avocado
- 1/2 bunch of cilantro (about 1/2 cup) (120 ml)
- 2 tsp garlic powder (10 ml)
- 4 cloves garlic
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 2 tsp onion powder (10 ml)
- Splash of water
🥩Meat & Seafood(2)
- 1 lb ground beef (454 g)
- 1 tsp beef bouillon powder (5 ml)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(2)
- 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded (120 ml)
- 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (120 ml)
🫙Pantry Staples(3)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (30 ml)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (30 ml)
- Flour tortillas
🧂Spices & Seasonings(5)
- 1 tsp coriander (5 ml)
- 1 tsp cumin (5 ml)
- 2 tsp oregano (10 ml)
- 1 tsp paprika (5 ml)
- Salt and pepper to taste
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise (30 ml)
📦Other(3)
- 1 tsp adobo (5 ml)
- 2 tsp chili powder (10 ml)
- 1 tsp chipotle powder (5 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and diced onion and cook until translucent.
- 2
Add beef and cook until beef is browned (about 6-8 minutes).
- 3
Drain excess grease if needed.
- 4
Add garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, oregano, cumin, coriander, paprika, chipotle powder, beef bouillon, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- 5
Mix in the tomato paste, mix until well incorporated and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- 6
Add a splash of water, reduce heat, cover and let simmer for 10-12 minutes until saucy.
- 7
Warm the flour tortillas slightly so they’re flexible.
- 8
Add a few spoonfuls of the beef filling and cheese to one side of each tortilla.
- 9
Roll tightly into taquitos. Use a toothpick to secure the tortillas.
- 10
Heat about 1–2 inches of oil in a skillet over medium heat (around 350°F).
- 11
Place the taquitos seam-side down in the hot oil.
- 12
Fry for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
- 13
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- 14
In a blender or bowl add avocado, garlic, mayonnaise, cilantro, lime juice, adobo seasoning, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- 15
Blend together until smooth using a blender or immersion blender. Taste and adjust for seasoning.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Fry taquitos at exactly 350°F oil temperature - below 325°F creates soggy tortillas, above 375°F burns the outside before the filling heats through.technique350°F
- ✓Steam tortillas wrapped in damp paper towels for 30-45 seconds in microwave to increase pliability by 60% and prevent cracking during rolling.timing30-45 seconds
- ✓Use a 2:1 ratio of beef filling to cheese because excess cheese creates steam pockets that burst the tortilla seams during frying.ingredient2:1 ratio
- ✓Drain beef mixture for 3-4 minutes before filling to remove excess moisture - wet filling drops oil temperature by 25-30°F and prevents crisping.technique25-30°F temperature drop
- ✓Secure taquitos seam-side down for the first 60-90 seconds of frying so the tortilla sets and seals before turning, preventing unwrapping.timing60-90 seconds
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
intermediate
Share this recipe
Taquitos were invented in 1940s San Diego by Mexican immigrants who discovered corn tortillas stayed crispier than flour when deep-fried.
Crispy Cheesy Beef Taquitos
Get ready to indulge in these mouthwatering crispy taquitos, bursting with flavorful seasoned beef and ooey-gooey cheese! Paired with a luscious avocado sauce that brings a creamy twist, these bites are perfect for any gathering or a cozy night in. You're just a few steps away from a fiesta on your plate!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(8)
- 1 large avocado
- 1/2 bunch of cilantro (about 1/2 cup) (120 ml)
- 2 tsp garlic powder (10 ml)
- 4 cloves garlic
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 2 tsp onion powder (10 ml)
- Splash of water
🥩Meat & Seafood(2)
- 1 lb ground beef (454 g)
- 1 tsp beef bouillon powder (5 ml)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(2)
- 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded (120 ml)
- 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (120 ml)
🫙Pantry Staples(3)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (30 ml)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (30 ml)
- Flour tortillas
🧂Spices & Seasonings(5)
- 1 tsp coriander (5 ml)
- 1 tsp cumin (5 ml)
- 2 tsp oregano (10 ml)
- 1 tsp paprika (5 ml)
- Salt and pepper to taste
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise (30 ml)
📦Other(3)
- 1 tsp adobo (5 ml)
- 2 tsp chili powder (10 ml)
- 1 tsp chipotle powder (5 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and diced onion and cook until translucent.
- 2
Add beef and cook until beef is browned (about 6-8 minutes).
- 3
Drain excess grease if needed.
- 4
Add garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, oregano, cumin, coriander, paprika, chipotle powder, beef bouillon, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- 5
Mix in the tomato paste, mix until well incorporated and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- 6
Add a splash of water, reduce heat, cover and let simmer for 10-12 minutes until saucy.
- 7
Warm the flour tortillas slightly so they’re flexible.
- 8
Add a few spoonfuls of the beef filling and cheese to one side of each tortilla.
- 9
Roll tightly into taquitos. Use a toothpick to secure the tortillas.
- 10
Heat about 1–2 inches of oil in a skillet over medium heat (around 350°F).
- 11
Place the taquitos seam-side down in the hot oil.
- 12
Fry for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
- 13
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- 14
In a blender or bowl add avocado, garlic, mayonnaise, cilantro, lime juice, adobo seasoning, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- 15
Blend together until smooth using a blender or immersion blender. Taste and adjust for seasoning.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Fry taquitos at exactly 350°F oil temperature - below 325°F creates soggy tortillas, above 375°F burns the outside before the filling heats through.technique350°F
- ✓Steam tortillas wrapped in damp paper towels for 30-45 seconds in microwave to increase pliability by 60% and prevent cracking during rolling.timing30-45 seconds
- ✓Use a 2:1 ratio of beef filling to cheese because excess cheese creates steam pockets that burst the tortilla seams during frying.ingredient2:1 ratio
- ✓Drain beef mixture for 3-4 minutes before filling to remove excess moisture - wet filling drops oil temperature by 25-30°F and prevents crisping.technique25-30°F temperature drop
- ✓Secure taquitos seam-side down for the first 60-90 seconds of frying so the tortilla sets and seals before turning, preventing unwrapping.timing60-90 seconds