Crispy Cheesy Beef Taquitos
Crispy Cheesy Beef Taquitos
Ingredients
For the Beef Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, small, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/4 cup water, as needed to thicken
For Assembly and Frying
- 12 small flour tortillas
- 6 cheese sticks, cut in half lengthwise, or shredded cheese
- 2 cups neutral oil, for frying, such as vegetable or canola oil
For the Avocado Cilantro Sauce
- 1 avocados, ripe
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, packed
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, from 1/2 lime
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons water, as needed to reach desired consistency
Instructions
- 1
Heat a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil (from the sauce ingredients, or use a separate tablespoon if preferred) and the finely chopped onion. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened and become translucent.
⏱️ 3 min
- 2
Add the ground beef to the skillet with the softened onions. Break up the beef with a spoon and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until it is fully browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess grease.
⏱️ 6 min
- 3
Stir in the garlic powder, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, chili powder, and smoked paprika, along with the tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to allow the spices to bloom and become fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Pour in about 1/4 cup of water, or enough to create a slightly saucy consistency. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 2 to 4 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced and the beef filling has thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
⏱️ 4 min
- 5
While the beef is simmering or cooling slightly, prepare the Avocado Cilantro Sauce. Combine the avocado, olive oil, fresh cilantro, garlic clove, lime juice, salt, and black pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth, adding water 1 tablespoon at a time as needed to achieve a silky, pourable consistency.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
To assemble the taquitos, lay a small flour tortilla flat on a clean work surface. Place a piece of cheese (half of a cheese stick or a small amount of shredded cheese) near one edge of the tortilla, then spoon about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture over the cheese. Roll the tortilla tightly from one end to the other.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
In a clean, deep skillet or pot, heat the neutral oil over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350-375°F (175-190°C). If you don't have a thermometer, a small piece of tortilla should sizzle immediately when dropped in.
⏱️ 3 min•🌡️ 360
- 8
Carefully place the rolled taquitos seam-side down into the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry for 2 to 4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides. Use tongs to remove the taquitos from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
⏱️ 3 min
- 9
Serve the crispy cheesy beef taquitos immediately with the prepared Avocado Cilantro Sauce for dipping.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy Cheesy Beef Taquitos
For the Beef Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, small, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/4 cup water, as needed to thicken
For Assembly and Frying
- 12 small flour tortillas
- 6 cheese sticks, cut in half lengthwise, or shredded cheese
- 2 cups neutral oil, for frying, such as vegetable or canola oil
For the Avocado Cilantro Sauce
- 1 avocados, ripe
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, packed
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, from 1/2 lime
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons water, as needed to reach desired consistency
Instructions
- 1
Heat a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil (from the sauce ingredients, or use a separate tablespoon if preferred) and the finely chopped onion. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened and become translucent.
⏱️ 3 min - 2
Add the ground beef to the skillet with the softened onions. Break up the beef with a spoon and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until it is fully browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess grease.
⏱️ 6 min - 3
Stir in the garlic powder, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, chili powder, and smoked paprika, along with the tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to allow the spices to bloom and become fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Pour in about 1/4 cup of water, or enough to create a slightly saucy consistency. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 2 to 4 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced and the beef filling has thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
⏱️ 4 min - 5
While the beef is simmering or cooling slightly, prepare the Avocado Cilantro Sauce. Combine the avocado, olive oil, fresh cilantro, garlic clove, lime juice, salt, and black pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth, adding water 1 tablespoon at a time as needed to achieve a silky, pourable consistency.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
To assemble the taquitos, lay a small flour tortilla flat on a clean work surface. Place a piece of cheese (half of a cheese stick or a small amount of shredded cheese) near one edge of the tortilla, then spoon about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the beef mixture over the cheese. Roll the tortilla tightly from one end to the other.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
In a clean, deep skillet or pot, heat the neutral oil over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350-375°F (175-190°C). If you don't have a thermometer, a small piece of tortilla should sizzle immediately when dropped in.
⏱️ 3 min•🌡️ 360 - 8
Carefully place the rolled taquitos seam-side down into the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry for 2 to 4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides. Use tongs to remove the taquitos from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
⏱️ 3 min - 9
Serve the crispy cheesy beef taquitos immediately with the prepared Avocado Cilantro Sauce for dipping.