Shredded Beef Taquitos Recipe
If you’re craving a snack or meal that’s crispy, cheesy, and packed full of bold flavors, you have got to try these Shredded Beef Taquitos. Imagine golden, crunchy corn tortillas rolled tightly around savory Mexican shredded beef, spicy fire-roasted green chiles, and melty Monterey cheese—each bite bursting with zest and comfort. These taquitos are not only a delicious crowd-pleaser but also a brilliant way to elevate simple ingredients into a festive dish that brings warmth and joy to your table. Trust me, once you make Shredded Beef Taquitos, they will quickly become one of your favorite go-to recipes for entertaining or family dinners!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Shredded Beef Taquitos recipe lies in its straightforward, well-balanced ingredients. Each item adds its own magic, from the silky onion base to the smoky chiles and gooey cheese, culminating in a delightful harmony of taste and texture.
- 1 Tbsp olive oil: The perfect start to sauté your onions, adding a subtle fruity aroma and helping everything cook evenly.
- 1/2 cup onion, minced: Brings sweetness and moisture that tenderizes and flavors the beef filling beautifully.
- 2 cups Mexican Shredded Beef, drained: The star protein, rich with savory depth and ideal pulled apart for easy filling.
- 4 oz canned green chiles, un-drained: Adds a smoky, mild heat especially when fire-roasted, giving a nice punch without overwhelming.
- 2 cups finely shredded cheese (about 4 oz Monterey cheese): Melts perfectly into the beef mixture creating gooey pockets of creamy goodness.
- 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste: Enhances all the natural flavors without overpowering the ingredients.
- Oil cooking spray or oil for brushing: Essential for crisping the taquitos in the oven without frying.
- 20 corn tortillas: The classic base that crisps up beautifully and wraps all the delicious filling for a convenient handheld treat.
How to Make Shredded Beef Taquitos
Step 1: Prepare the Shredded Beef Filling
Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers with warmth, toss in your minced onions and let them soften for about two minutes. This step releases their natural sweetness and builds a flavorful base. Then add the shredded beef, alongside the canned green chiles and salt, stirring well to combine. Let everything cook together for 7 to 10 minutes, allowing the mixture to reduce and most of the liquid to evaporate. This drying step is crucial—it intensifies the flavors and ensures your taquitos won’t be soggy. After cooking, remove the pan from heat and let it cool slightly. At this point, gently fold in the shredded cheese, letting it melt into the warm beef mixture and create a rich, cohesive filling.
Step 2: Soften the Tortillas
Preheat your oven to 400ºF and line a large baking sheet with foil, then generously spray it with cooking spray or lightly brush it with oil. Lay 12 corn tortillas in a single layer on the sheet. Spray the tops of the tortillas well to help soften them and allow some crisping later. Pop them in the oven for about 4 minutes—this warming makes the tortillas pliable and easier to roll without cracking. Once out of the oven, stack the tortillas and flip the stack so the sprayed sides face down. This little trick locks in moisture while you prepare to fill and roll, ensuring perfect taquitos every time.
Step 3: Roll and Bake the Taquitos
Line up heaping tablespoons (about two per tortilla) of the beef and cheese mixture along the bottom third of each tortilla. For consistent size and less mess, I like to use a cookie scoop to portion out the filling. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling, then place it seam-side down on your prepared baking sheet. Leave a bit of space between each rolled taquito so the heat can crisp all sides evenly. Once all are rolled, feel free to give them a light spritz of cooking spray again if they look dry. Bake for 15 minutes, remove to flip each taquito, and bake for another 10 minutes or until they are golden, crisp, and irresistible.
How to Serve Shredded Beef Taquitos
Garnishes
The garnishes you choose can truly elevate your Shredded Beef Taquitos. Fresh guacamole adds creamy richness that contrasts beautifully with the crispiness. A sprinkle of shredded lettuce provides a refreshing crunch, while diced tomatoes bring a burst of juiciness and color. I also love topping mine with a drizzle of Healthy Mexican Crema for that cool, tangy finish that rounds out the bold flavors perfectly. Don’t forget some extra shredded cheese on top for good measure if you’re a cheese lover like me!
Side Dishes
Shredded Beef Taquitos pair wonderfully with several side dishes. A simple Mexican rice or cilantro lime rice keeps things classic and comforting. Black beans or refried beans bring extra heartiness and depth to the meal. For a lighter touch, a crisp side salad with a citrusy vinaigrette complements the richness of the taquitos and balances the meal. Of course, a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce on the side never hurt anyone!
Creative Ways to Present
For entertaining or family gatherings, arrange your Shredded Beef Taquitos on a large platter with dipping bowls of guacamole, salsa, and crema in the center. You could also create mini taco bar stations where everyone can customize their toppings. Another fun idea is to slice the baked taquitos into bite-sized pieces for easy finger food at parties or game days. The crisp, handheld nature of this dish makes it a true crowd-pleaser any way you serve it.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you do have leftovers, no worries—Shredded Beef Taquitos store really well in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container and enjoy within 3 to 4 days. To keep them crispy, avoid stacking taquitos on top of one another.
Freezing
These taquitos freeze beautifully, making them a perfect prep-ahead snack or meal. Roll and arrange them on a baking sheet so they don’t touch, freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours), then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep nicely for up to 2 months.
Reheating
To reheat, bake frozen taquitos in a preheated 400ºF oven for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re heated through and crisp again. If reheating refrigerated leftovers, a 10-12 minute bake should bring back that fresh-from-the-oven crunch and warmth.
FAQs
Can I make Shredded Beef Taquitos without green chiles?
Absolutely! Green chiles add a smoky and mildly spicy flavor, but if you prefer a milder taste or don’t have them on hand, you can omit them or substitute with mild diced jalapeños or even a pinch of smoked paprika for a different twist.
Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas?
While you can use flour tortillas, corn tortillas are traditional and crisp up better for the authentic taquito experience. If using flour tortillas, warm them well to ensure flexibility, but expect a softer texture and less crunch.
Is there a shortcut for preparing the shredded beef filling?
If you’re short on time, you can skip the stovetop step of cooking down the beef mixture. Just make sure the beef is well-drained, then mix the other fillings together and roll. The taquitos will still be tasty, but cooking the filling does enhance the flavor and texture.
How spicy are Shredded Beef Taquitos?
The spiciness is mild because fire-roasted green chiles typically have just a gentle heat. Adjust spice level by adding more chiles, incorporating hot sauce, or including diced jalapeño peppers in your filling if you like more kick.
Can I air fry Shredded Beef Taquitos?
Definitely! Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF and cook the rolled taquitos for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. They come out wonderfully crispy and save some time compared to baking.
Final Thoughts
Making Shredded Beef Taquitos is like wrapping up all the best Mexican flavors into a crispy, cheesy package that’s as fun to eat as it is delicious. Whether for a casual dinner, a party appetizer, or a comfy snack, this recipe shines every time. Give it a try—you might just find a new favorite to delight your family and friends just like I did!
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Shredded Beef Taquitos Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 20 taquitos 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
Crispy baked shredded beef taquitos made with tender Mexican shredded beef, green chiles, and melted Monterey cheese, rolled in corn tortillas for a delicious and satisfying appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Shredded Beef Filling
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion, minced
- 2 cups Mexican shredded beef, drained
- 4 ounces canned green chiles, un-drained (fire roasted recommended)
- 2 cups finely shredded Monterey cheese (about 4 ounces)
- 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
Taquitos
- 20 corn tortillas
- Oil cooking spray or oil for brushing
Instructions
- Prepare the Shredded Beef Filling: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the minced onions and cook for about 2 minutes until softened.
- Cook Beef Mixture: Add the Mexican shredded beef, canned green chiles, and salt to the skillet. Cook for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the mixture is somewhat dry.
- Cool and Add Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and set aside to cool slightly. Once cooled, stir in the shredded Monterey cheese until well combined.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (204ºC). Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and generously spray it with cooking spray or brush with oil.
- Soften Tortillas: Arrange 12 corn tortillas in a single layer on the baking sheet. Spray the tops generously with cooking spray or brush with oil. Bake for 4 minutes to soften the tortillas and make them pliable.
- Stack and Flip Tortillas: Remove tortillas from the oven and stack them on top of each other, then flip the stack so the sprayed sides are facing down. This keeps the tortillas from drying out while you fill them.
- Fill and Roll Taquitos: Place about 2 heaping tablespoons of the shredded beef mixture near the bottom third of each tortilla. Tightly roll the tortillas and place them seam side down on the baking sheet, leaving some space between each taquito.
- Bake First Side: Lightly spray the taquitos with cooking spray if needed, then bake for 15 minutes at 400ºF.
- Flip and Bake Second Side: Remove the baking sheet, flip each taquito, and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until they are golden brown and crisp.
- Repeat or Bake Remaining: Repeat the softening, filling, rolling, and baking process with the remaining tortillas and filling, or bake all at once if you keep the other tortillas warm while rolling.
- Serve: Serve the crispy shredded beef taquitos hot with homemade guacamole, hot sauce, or your favorite toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and a drizzle of Mexican crema.
Notes
- To save time, you can skip cooking down the shredded beef mixture if your beef is already fairly dry.
- Use fire-roasted green chiles for added smoky flavor.
- Brushing or spraying tortillas well with oil before baking helps make the taquitos crispy.
- Use a cookie scoop to measure filling for uniform taquitos.
- These taquitos can be served as an appetizer, snack, or main dish with sides like guacamole and salsa.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Snack, Appetizer
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 taquitos
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: shredded beef taquitos, baked taquitos, Mexican shredded beef, crispy taquitos, fire roasted green chiles, Monterey cheese taquitos
