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Culture & Lifestyle • Food & Drink

Taquito

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

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A taquito is a Mexican and Tex-Mex dish made from a small tortilla rolled around a filling and fried until crisp. The name is Spanish for “little taco.” Common fillings include meat, cheese, or chicken, and the dish is often served with toppings or dips such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.

Description

Taquitos are rolled tortillas filled with savoury ingredients and cooked until crisp. They are widely associated with Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine and are usually served as a snack, appetiser, or light meal.

Ingredients and preparation

The dish typically uses corn or flour tortillas filled with ingredients such as shredded beef, chicken, or cheese. The tortilla is rolled tightly and then shallow-fried or deep-fried, producing a cylindrical, crunchy exterior.

Taquito literally means “little taco,” and similar foods may be called tacos dorados or flautas depending on region and tortilla type. Usage of these names can vary by country and local tradition, with 'rolled taco' also used as an alternative term.

Modern use

Taquitos are sold in restaurants and as frozen packaged foods. The term is now used broadly for many rolled, fried tortilla products, not only for traditional homemade versions. In Canada, taquitos are commonly available in grocery stores, restaurants, and frozen snack aisles as part of Mexican and Tex-Mex food culture.

Key facts

  • Taquitos are small tortillas wrapped around a filling and fried until crisp.
  • They are commonly made with beef, chicken, or cheese fillings.
  • The term taquito is Spanish for “little taco.”
  • In some regions, similar foods are called tacos dorados or flautas.
  • Taquitos are frequently topped or dipped with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
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Canadian context

Taquitos are commonly available in Canadian grocery stores, restaurants, and frozen snack aisles as part of Mexican and Tex-Mex food culture.

Frequently asked questions

What is a taquito?
A taquito is a small tortilla rolled around a filling and fried until crisp.
What does taquito mean?
It is a Spanish diminutive meaning “little taco.”
What are taquitos usually filled with?
Common fillings include beef, chicken, cheese, and sometimes beans or other savoury ingredients.
Are taquitos the same as flautas?
The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but regional usage may distinguish them by tortilla type or size.
How are taquitos served?
They are often served with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or other dips and toppings.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taquito
    Supports: Definition, ingredients, preparation, alternate names, and serving style.
  2. Sporked — https://sporked.com/article/what-is-a-taquito/
    Supports: Name meaning, modern commercial use, and historical context in North America.
  3. Wiktionary — https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/taquito
    Supports: Meaning of the word as a diminutive and definition as a rolled fried tortilla.