Description
These Crispy Jalapeño Popper Beef Taquitos combine spicy jalapeños, creamy cheese, and savory ground beef rolled into crispy pan-fried tortillas for a perfect appetizer or snack with a kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Taquito Filling
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ small onion, chopped
- 2-4 jalapeños, seeded, deveined, and diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup salsa (medium heat)
- 1 cup freshly grated Pepper Jack cheese
Taquito Assembly
- 12 TortillaLand raw medium tortillas
- 1 cup freshly grated Pepper Jack cheese (for topping each taquito)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional, for frying)
Instructions
- Cook the beef mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, diced jalapeños, and chopped onions. Cook until the onions soften and the meat is fully cooked. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and dried oregano. Next, add the salsa and softened cream cheese to the pan, reducing the heat to medium-low. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and combined with the beef mixture. Finally, stir in 1 cup of Pepper Jack cheese until melted, then remove the skillet from heat.
- Assemble the taquitos: Place each raw tortilla on a flat surface. Spoon a heaping ¼ cup of the beef and cheese filling onto the bottom third of each tortilla. Top the filling with a heaping tablespoon of additional Pepper Jack cheese. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling, sealing the taquito.
- Pan-fry the taquitos: Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, carefully place the rolled taquitos seam-side down in the skillet. Cook until golden brown on all sides, turning frequently to achieve even crispiness. This will take about 10-12 minutes total. Remove and drain on paper towels if desired. Serve hot for the crispiest results.
Notes
- For less heat, reduce the number of jalapeños or leave some seeds in place.
- Use fresh grated cheese for better melting and flavor.
- You can bake these taquitos at 425°F for 15-18 minutes for a lower fat option.
- If tortillas crack while rolling, warm them slightly to make them more pliable.
- Serve with extra salsa, sour cream, or guacamole for dipping.
