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Taquitos are rolled tacos filled with chicken, beef or pork and cheese. Fried to perfection for a delicious way to use leftovers!
One on going problem that an empty nester has is leftovers. Fortunately for me, my husband enjoys leftovers and is perfectly willing to eat the same thing for dinner and for lunch the next day or two. I’m not as big a fan of leftovers, that is unless you can dress them up in another form. Taquitos are a fun and delicious way to use leftovers and change things up.
For Cinco de Mayo last week I had made Pork Carnitas. As usual, there were leftovers. I also had some leftover black bean and corn salsa in the fridge so I decided to make taquitos. Taquitos are the perfect way to use up whatever leftovers you have in the fridge. I had pork but they will also work with leftover roast or chicken. If you don’t have any leftover meat but are in the mood for some taquitos you can cook up some shredded chicken in your slow cooker, Instant Pot or in the microwave. Just add a little taco seasoning to the chicken or come cumin and chili powder.
What is a Taquito?
A Taquito is a rolled-up corn tortilla that contains a filling, including beef, pork chicken and cheese. The rolled up tortilla is then fried in oil. It is often topped with sour cream and guacamole.
How to Make Taquitos?
- Shred your left over meat. You will need 1 1/2 cups of meat. If the meat isn’t already seasoned add in some diced green chilies 1/2 cup cheese and garlic salt. Stir to combine.
- To make the tortillas easier to work with, soften them. Wrap them in a paper towel and microwave them for about 30 seconds. I do about 5-6 at time.
- Then place a couple of tablespoons of meat and cheese mixture onto the middle of the tortilla and roll. Hold them closed with a toothpick until you are ready to fry them.
- Heat your oil in a large frying pan to 350-375 degrees F. I love using my Thermapen to check the oil temperature. You can also check the oil temperature by sticking a piece of tortilla into it and see if it sizzles or not. If it sizzles it is ready.
- Cook the tortillas until they are crisp and lightly golden brown. Turn over to the next side and do the same. It will take about 5 minutes per side.
- Place and drain onto a paper towel when done.
What to Eat Taquitos With?
- I like to serve my taquitos topped with some more shredded cheese and pico de gallo or Quick and Easy Salsa along with sour cream and Fresh Guacamole.
- As side dishes I love to serve them with Mexican Rice and or Cafe Rio Black Beans. Another favorite rice is this Lime Cilantro Rice.
Then you just pick them up, yes,with your hands and crunch away! Yum! Just be sure and remove the toothpick first!
Can Taquitos be Baked?
Yes, they can! Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and place the taquitos on the sheet. Spray the top of the taquitos lightly with cooking spray and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Can Taquitos Be Made with Flour Tortillas?
They can but then they are called a flauta. They can be fried or baked just like a taquito. You can find a recipe for chicken flautas here.
Beef Taquitos Recipe
Homemade Taquitos
Ingredients
- 1 1/2-2 cups meat chicken, beef or pork
- 1 4 oz. chopped green chiles
- 1 tsp garlic salt I used 1 tsp to 1 1/2 C meat.
- 12 Corn tortillas
- 1/2 c sour cream
- 1/2 c salsa
- 1 c cheese grated, extra for garnish
Instructions
- Combine meat, green chilies and garlic salt into a bowl and stir to combine.
- Soften tortillas wrapped in a paper towel in the microwave.
- Place 2 Tbsp meat mixture onto softened tortilla.
- Roll up and secure with a tooth pick.
- Heat a pan with vegetable oil (about 1 inch deep) Heat oil until hot and bubbly.
- Cook taquitos in oil until lightly golden brown, both sides. Drain on a paper towel.
- Garnish with sour cream, salsa and cheese.
Nutrition Facts:
Originally posted January 10, 2012
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Melissa says
These look delicious! I am not a very good leftover user (I never know what to do with them to “disguise” that we are having leftovers). So I love this idea. THANKS!
Dawn says
I used leftover chicken tonight to make quesadillas. A completely new meal. At my house, it’s my kids who don’t like leftovers, I could eat the same thing for a few days in a row if it’s something I like. 🙂
Laurie says
Thank you for your great tip of heating tortillas in a microwave first before trying to roll them so they don’t crack! Brilliant!
Jessica vander Eyk says
Your blog has changed me and helped me in so many ways thank you. Now I am so excited to share a tip with you instead of toothpicks you can use flour and a little bit of water to make a paste and add a dab on the edge of your tortilla at the end of your roll. Makes them much easier to fry and prettier too!
Thanks for all you great recipes and ideas.
[email protected] says
They look so yummy!!! I’m Mexican and we call those taquitos “flautas” =) I just posted somw weeks ago some BEEF TAQUITOS myself, you can visit me if you want at http://gabhousewife.blogspot.com/2011/12/beef-taquitos.html
Rebekah @ Making Miracles says
Those look great! I like taking leftovers and turning them into something new too – we have leftover canned peas, cooked rice and cooked turkey in the fridge right now that I think are going to find their way into a casserole…
Dawn says
Yummy! Adding it to my menu.
Thanks!
Heather @ new house, new home, new life says
What a great way to use leftover meat whether it’s a roast or a steak. I’ll be adding this to my leftover list of “go to’s”.
We also ate for a week out of the fridge with leftovers – turkey soup, omelettes, cheese plates. I did some groceries for the first time this morning.
Joanna H. says
These look great, but I am super excited to see this rice recipe. I have also looked for a rice recipe similar to restaurant rice and have never found that…..can’t wait to try it!!
[email protected] says
Ok! Taquitos are now on my menu this week! They look so good, I can just taste them! It doesn’t help that it is nearly noon, I’m starving and drinking cold coffee!