Spicy Beef Taquitos

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Get ready for these Beef Taquitos – a crunchy, golden and irresistible snack that’s bursting with smoky heat and big, bold flavour. This is no-fuss comfort food, made with simple ingredients and ready in no time.

Spicy beef taquitos served with guacamole

About This Spicy Beef Taquitos Recipe

The filling starts with seasoned ground beef cooked with onions, garlic and chipotles in adobo for that deep, fiery smokiness. Bake or air-fry until crispy and you’ve got taquitos that deliver the perfect balance of heat and crunchiness in every bite.

Serve these Spicy Beef Taquitos with Chiptole Mayo, Pico de gallo, Salsa Verde or a quick homemade Guacamole. They’re ideal for and easy weeknight dinner or a side to your favorite Mexican dishes.

Ingredients

Using the freshest ingredients in this (INSERT NAME) recipe makes all the difference. Below, you will see the ingredients laid out along with.a list. Exact measurements and quantities can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this page. Make sure to have everything ready and prepared before you start cooking for best results.

See recipe card for quantities.

FOR THE BEEF:
Ground beef
Chipotle chillies in adobo sauce (blended) or chipotle paste
Onion
Garlic
Cumin
Paprika
Oregano
Salt and pepper
FOR THE TAQUITOS:
Corn Tortillas
Olive oil
To Serve (optional)
Refried black beans
Queso Fresco (or any mild crumbly cheese)
Salsa de aguacate (Avocado salsa)

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

You will find photographs of each step below, along with a full layout including the ingredients in the recipe card. Use whichever format works best for you. These steps are clear and easy to follow, so you can cook along with confidence.

Onions frying in a pan until translucent

Step 1: In a pan, on a medium heat, add a splash of oil and fry your onions until translucent.

Step 2: Next, add your ground beef and break it up using a spoon. Fry until browned

Minced garlic added to the pan and fried for a minute

Step 3: When your beef has browned, add your minced garlic and fry for 1 minute.

Chipotle chilli paste and spices added to the spicy beef taquitos filling

Step 4: Then, add your blended chipotle chillies in adobo sauce (or your chipotle paste) and your spices. Give it a good mix and cook for 5 minutes.

Step 5: In a dry pan, on a medium heat, heat your tortillas until they are soft and pliable.

Spicy beef taquitos filling added to the tortilla

Step 6: To your tortilla, add 2-3 tablespoon of your Spicy Beef mixture.

Step 7: Roll tightly and add to a baking tray seam down. Spray or brush with olive oil and bake at 400 F (200 C) for 20 minutes or until the tortillas start to brown.

Step 8: Remove from the oven, serve with Guacamole, Salsa De Aguacate or Chipotle Mayo. Dig in!

Hint: For the crispiest Beef Taquitos possible, brush heartily with Olive Oil before baking!

Substitutions

For our American cookers, all of these ingredients will be very easily accessible. For those about to cook elsewhere in the world, here are a few substitutions you could make if you're finding it tricky to source ingredients:

Chipotle Chillies in Adobo Sauce - I think it is important to mention this ingredients in particular, as here in the UK, they can be more difficult to find. The chipotle peppers in tomato sauce can actually be substituted with more easily accessible Chipotle paste. Use 2–3 tablespoons adobo paste + ½–1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or chipotle powder if you have it).
Tortillas - I used corn tortillas for these Spicy Beef Taquitos as they crisp up perfectly. However, if you're finding it hard to source them then you can use flour tortillas. I find that they don't crisp up as well when baking them so I recommend brushing them with oil and baking them at 400F/200C for 20 minutes. Make homemade flour tortillas here.

What about the tacos?

The best tortillas for these Spicy Beef Taquitos recipe are small, corn tortillas that can easily be sourced from a good Mexican Grocer. If you're shopping in the UK, corn tortillas are popping up in major supermarkets so see what you can get your hands on! If you're struggling, you can always use flour tortillas or buy them from Amazon.

What about the chipotle chillies?

Chipotle chillies in adobo sauce can usually be found at any good Mexican Grocer. However, if you do not have a Mexican Grocer near to you, they can easily be purchased online. This Spicy Beef Taquitos recipe calls for 2 chipotle chillies and 1 tablespoons of the adobo sauce so one 200g can is all you need. I usually buy my chipotle chillies in adobo sauce from Amazon. Alternatively, Chipotle paste can very easily be sourced in most countries. Use 3 tablespoons of chipotle paste in your beef to substitute the chillies and adobo sauce.

Equipment

Standing blender or Food Processor

Mixing bowl

Frying pan

Serving Size (Serves 3)

This recipe is written to serve 3. Most of the time, we cook for 2 and enjoy the leftovers the next day - it makes the effort of cooking something fresh and delicious even more worthwhile. If you’re feeding 5 or 6, you can easily double the recipe, or sometimes it’s as simple as adding an extra piece of protein and adjusting the sides. Make it yours, enjoy the process, and don’t stress about being exact.

Note: Nutritional information provided in the recipe card below is a rough guide only. Values can vary depending on the exact ingredients and quantities you use.

Storage

Fridge:
Freezer:

Top Tip

A few seconds in a hot pan or microwave makes the tortillas soft and flexible, so they roll tightly without cracking. Warm tortillas means tighter rolls which means extra-crispy taquitos that don’t unravel in the oven or air fryer.

FAQ

Can I make Spicy Beef Taquitos less spicy?

Absolutely. Use fewer chipotle peppers or swap half of them for roasted red peppers. You’ll still get the smoky depth without too much heat.

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Spicy Beef Taquitos recipe:

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