Bean & Cheese Taquitos with Green Chile Sour Cream Sauce Recipe
If you are craving a snack that’s crispy, cheesy, and bursting with bold southwestern flavors, you’re going to love this Bean & Cheese Taquitos with Green Chile Sour Cream Sauce Recipe. Imagine crunchy, golden taquitos filled with velvety refried beans and melty cheese, paired perfectly with a zesty, cooling green chile sour cream sauce that brings just the right kick. This dish is incredibly satisfying whether you’re serving them as an appetizer, party snack, or a fun weeknight dinner. The combination is so fantastic it’s bound to become one of your favorite go-to recipes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting this recipe right is all about keeping things simple but packed with flavor. Each ingredient plays a key role in achieving that perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and crispy goodness.
- Refried beans (1 16-oz can): The hearty base that adds creaminess and depth to the filling.
- Pepper Jack cheese (1/2 cup shredded): Adds a gentle kick and melts beautifully inside the taquitos.
- Ground cumin (1 tsp): Infuses a warm, earthy aroma that defines the southwestern flavor.
- Chili powder (2 tsp): Delivers a smoky, slightly spicy note that awakens your taste buds.
- Cheddar cheese (1 cup shredded): Brings rich, sharp cheesiness to complement the pepper Jack.
- Small corn or flour tortillas (12): Your crispy vessel for the filling, choose whichever you prefer for texture and flavor.
- Neutral oil: Vegetable or canola oil is perfect for frying to get that crisp crunch without overpowering flavors.
- Green chiles (1 4-oz can, drained): Adds a mild heat and brightness to the sour cream sauce.
- Sour cream (1/2 cup): The creamy base of the dipping sauce that helps cool the spice.
- Fresh cilantro (1/4 cup, chopped): Adds a fresh herbal note to the sauce.
- Garlic (1 clove, minced): Boosts the sauce with aromatic depth.
- Fresh lime juice (1 tbsp): Gives the sauce a subtle tangy lift.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning both the filling and the sauce to perfection.
How to Make Bean & Cheese Taquitos with Green Chile Sour Cream Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Make the Green Chile Sour Cream Sauce
Start by combining the sour cream, green chiles, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Stir everything until it’s smooth and well incorporated. This sauce tastes best when it’s chilled for a while, so pop it in the fridge while you prepare your taquitos. It’s creamy and has a gentle heat that perfectly complements the crispy taquitos.
Step 2: Prepare the Taquito Filling
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the refried beans with pepper Jack cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, ground cumin, and chili powder. Stir well to blend all the flavors so each bite of the filling is perfectly seasoned and cheesy. This filling is the heart of the Bean & Cheese Taquitos with Green Chile Sour Cream Sauce Recipe, bringing a luscious texture and unbeatable taste.
Step 3: Warm and Roll the Tortillas
Gently warm your tortillas in the microwave or a dry skillet until they are soft and pliable—this step is essential to avoid tearing when rolling. Then, scoop about two tablespoons of the filling onto each tortilla and roll them tightly. If needed, use a toothpick to keep each taquito securely rolled before frying.
Step 4: Fry the Taquitos
Heat about half an inch of neutral oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the taquitos seam-side down in the hot oil and cook in batches, frying for about 2 to 3 minutes per side until each one is golden brown and crispy. Once done, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. This frying step is what delivers that irresistible crunch in your Bean & Cheese Taquitos with Green Chile Sour Cream Sauce Recipe.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your crispy taquitos hot alongside the chilled green chile sour cream sauce for dipping. The warm, crunchy taquitos paired with the cool, tangy sauce create an unbeatable flavor contrast that’s both comforting and exciting.
How to Serve Bean & Cheese Taquitos with Green Chile Sour Cream Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro or a dusting of smoked paprika over the taquitos just before serving for a pop of color and extra flavor. You can also add a squeeze of fresh lime juice on top for brightness. Thinly sliced radishes or a few jalapeño slices can be great if you like a bit more crunch or heat.
Side Dishes
These taquitos pair wonderfully with simple Mexican rice or a fresh avocado salad to balance out the richness. A side of black beans or corn salad adds extra heartiness and a splash of brightness. For something lighter, serve with a crisp, tangy coleslaw or pickled veggies.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your taquitos upright standing in a tall glass or set them in a colorful platter lined with lettuce leaves to create a festive look perfect for parties. You can cut a few in half diagonally to show off the cheesy filling or serve alongside mini bowls of salsa, guacamole, and the green chile sour cream sauce for a full dipping bar experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, store any leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The crispy texture will soften a bit, but the flavors remain delicious.
Freezing
For longer storage, arrange uncooked, rolled taquitos on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be fried or baked straight from frozen, making it super convenient to enjoy this recipe anytime.
Reheating
To reheat and retain crispiness, bake leftover or frozen taquitos at 400°F (200°C) on a wire rack set over a baking sheet for about 10-15 minutes until heated through and crisp again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that perfect crunch.
FAQs
Can I bake the Bean & Cheese Taquitos instead of frying?
Absolutely! Baking is a great option for a lighter version. Place the rolled taquitos seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush lightly with oil, and bake at 425°F (220°C) for about 20 minutes or until crispy and golden, turning once halfway through.
What type of tortillas work best for this recipe?
Both corn and flour tortillas work well, but small corn tortillas are traditional and offer a nice texture. Just be sure to warm them slightly to prevent cracking when rolling.
Can I make the filling ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the bean and cheese filling a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir before assembling the taquitos to redistribute any ingredients that may have settled.
Is there a vegetarian or vegan version?
This recipe is vegetarian-friendly as is. To make it vegan, substitute the cheeses with plant-based cheese alternatives and use a dairy-free sour cream for the sauce.
How spicy is the green chile sour cream sauce?
The sauce has a mild heat balanced by creamy sour cream and fresh lime juice, making it flavorful but not too spicy. You can adjust the heat by choosing mild or hot green chiles according to your preference.
Final Thoughts
This Bean & Cheese Taquitos with Green Chile Sour Cream Sauce Recipe is truly a crowd-pleaser with its crispy texture and flavorful filling complemented by a zingy, creamy sauce. It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner yet special enough for entertaining friends and family. I wholeheartedly encourage you to give it a try and watch how this simple, satisfying dish wins over everyone’s hearts and tastebuds.
Print
Bean & Cheese Taquitos with Green Chile Sour Cream Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 taquitos 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Bean & Cheese Taquitos are crispy, golden rolled tortillas filled with a flavorful mix of refried beans, pepper Jack, and cheddar cheese, seasoned with cumin and chili powder. Fried to perfection, they make a perfect snack or appetizer, served with a zesty green chile sour cream dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Taquitos
- 1 (16 oz) can refried beans
- 1/2 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese (about 2 oz)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 4 oz)
- 12 small corn or flour tortillas
- Neutral oil (such as vegetable or canola), for frying
Green Chile Sour Cream Sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 (4 oz) can green chiles, drained
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, drained green chiles, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, fresh lime juice, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Chill the sauce in the refrigerator while you prepare the taquitos to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Taquito Filling: In a mixing bowl, thoroughly mix the refried beans with shredded pepper Jack cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, ground cumin, and chili powder. This creates a creamy, flavorful filling that’s well seasoned with a mild spicy kick.
- Warm the Tortillas: To make the tortillas pliable and easy to roll without cracking, warm them slightly. You can microwave them for about 20-30 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel or warm them briefly in a dry skillet over medium-low heat.
- Assemble the Taquitos: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the bean and cheese mixture onto each warmed tortilla. Roll each one tightly from one end to the other, ensuring the filling is secure inside. Use a toothpick to hold them together if necessary, especially when frying.
- Fry the Taquitos: Pour about 1/2 inch of neutral oil into a skillet and heat over medium-high. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the taquitos seam-side down in the oil in batches. Fry them until each side is golden brown and crispy, about 2–3 minutes per side. Use tongs to turn them gently to avoid unrolling. After frying, drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Serve: Serve the taquitos hot with the chilled green chile sour cream sauce on the side for dipping. This combination offers a delicious contrast of crispy texture and creamy, tangy flavors.
Notes
- Warming tortillas before rolling helps prevent cracking during frying.
- Use toothpicks to keep taquitos tightly rolled if they start to unravel.
- Maintain medium-high heat for frying to ensure taquitos get crispy quickly without absorbing too much oil.
- Drain fried taquitos on paper towels to remove excess oil and keep them crisp.
- Green chile sour cream sauce can be made a day ahead to deepen flavors.
- Substitute pepper Jack cheese with Monterey Jack or mozzarella for milder cheese options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
