Description
These Crispy Beef Taquitos are a flavorful Mexican-inspired appetizer featuring shredded beef, melted cheddar cheese, and a blend of spices, all rolled in corn tortillas and fried to golden perfection. Served with a zesty chipotle mayo sauce, they make a perfect snack or party finger food.
Ingredients
Scale
Taquitos
- 1 lb shredded cooked beef (such as brisket or roast beef)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 12 small corn tortillas
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Chipotle Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers
- 1 chipotle pepper, minced (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Mix Beef Filling: In a bowl, combine the shredded cooked beef, shredded cheddar cheese, finely chopped onion, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Prepare Tortillas: Warm the corn tortillas briefly, either in a dry skillet or microwave, just enough to make them pliable and easy to roll without cracking.
- Roll Taquitos: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture onto each tortilla. Tightly roll the tortilla around the filling to form the taquito. Secure with toothpicks if necessary to hold the shape.
- Heat Oil: Pour about one inch of vegetable oil into a deep skillet and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot, suitable for frying.
- Fry Taquitos: Carefully place the rolled taquitos in the hot oil in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry each side for approximately 2-3 minutes until the taquitos are evenly golden brown and crispy.
- Drain Oil: Use tongs to remove the fried taquitos and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil and keep them crisp.
- Prepare Chipotle Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers, minced chipotle pepper, lime juice, and salt until smooth and well combined.
- Serve: Serve the crispy beef taquitos hot accompanied by the chipotle sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- For a milder sauce, reduce the amount of minced chipotle pepper.
- Warm tortillas properly to prevent cracking while rolling.
- Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F for best frying results.
- Drain taquitos on paper towels to avoid excess oiliness.
- Can substitute cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack or Oaxaca cheese for variation.
- To make ahead, roll the taquitos and refrigerate before frying.
