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beef and cheese taquitos 2026 05 25 101845 679x1024 1

Beef and Cheese Taquitos

Beef and cheese taquitos are a delicious and satisfying meal, perfect as snacks, appetizers, or a fun family dinner. Crispy tortillas filled with seasoned beef and gooey cheese are easy to make and customizable.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the filling
  • 1 Tbsp. neutral oil Plus more for brushing or frying
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped pickled jalapeños
  • to taste tsp. Kosher salt for seasoning
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 1 lb. ground beef (preferably 90% lean)
  • 1 Tbsp. taco seasoning
  • 3 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 3 oz. pepper Jack cheese, shredded
  • 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 6 Tbsp. fresh lime juice, divided
For the taquitos
  • 20 small corn tortillas
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
  • Store-bought or homemade guacamole and pico de gallo, for serving

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 Tbsp. neutral oil until shimmering.
  2. Add onion, jalapeños, and 1/2 tsp. salt, cooking until the onion begins to soften—about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  4. Add tomato paste and cook until it starts to caramelize, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  5. Fold in the ground beef, taco seasoning, and 3/4 tsp. salt, cooking until no longer pink—about 5 minutes—then let it cool slightly.
  6. In a small bowl, mix cheddar and pepper Jack cheese.
  7. In another bowl, whisk together flour and 4 Tbsp. lime juice until smooth.
  8. Wrap 5 tortillas in a damp towel and microwave until softened.
  9. Fill each tortilla with the beef filling and cheese mixture, roll tightly, and brush with the flour mixture to seal.
  10. Arrange taquitos on a sheet tray.
  11. Combine sour cream, cilantro, and remaining lime juice in a bowl; refrigerate until serving.
Cooking
  1. For baking, preheat oven to 400°F, brush taquitos with oil, and bake until crisp, about 18 to 20 minutes.
  2. For frying, heat oil to 375°F and fry taquitos until crispy—about 4 to 5 minutes.

Notes

Use lean ground beef for less grease. Customize your filling by adding black beans or corn for extra texture. If you prefer, you can also bake the taquitos instead of frying for a healthier option. Ensure the tortillas are warm and pliable to avoid cracking while rolling.