Taquito

A taquito is a Mexican and Tex-Mex dish made from a small tortilla rolled around a filling, then fried until crisp.

A taquito is a small tortilla rolled around a filling and fried until crisp. The name means 'little taco' in Spanish.

What it is

Taquitos are a Mexican and Tex-Mex dish made from corn or flour tortillas tightly wrapped around savoury fillings like shredded beef, chicken, or cheese. The roll is then shallow-fried or deep-fried until the exterior becomes crunchy. They are often served as a snack, appetiser, or light meal, accompanied by salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.

Terminology and variations

The word taquito is a Spanish diminutive meaning 'little taco'. Similar dishes are called tacos dorados or flautas depending on region and tortilla type. In some areas, flautas use larger flour tortillas, while taquitos are typically made with corn tortillas. Usage varies by country and local tradition.

Modern use

Taquitos are widely available in restaurants and as frozen packaged foods in grocery stores. In Canada, they are a common item in the frozen snack aisle and on menus at Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants. The term is now used broadly for many rolled, fried tortilla products beyond traditional homemade versions.