Cheesy Hawaiian BBQ Beef Taquitos & Pineapple Salsa

Hawaiian Beef Taquitos are an intoxicating bite of  beef smothered in cheese and spicy, sweet, smoky barbecue sauce and refreshing Pineapple salsa!

These Beef Taquitos are quick and easy to make and BAKED to crispy, cheesy perfection!  They make fabulous game day food or lunch or dinner any day of the week! 

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Beef Taquitos, burritos, enchiladas, tacos, chimichangas, quesadillas- could there be anything more southern Californian than Mexican food?

Mexican food is a staple at our house โ€“ corn, beans, jalapeรฑos, mangos, pineapple, avocado, tomatoes, cilantro, lime, rice, cheese and more cheeseโ€”whatโ€™s not to love? So for my very first post, I thought I would share one of our favorite Mexican inspired dishes – beef taquitos – with a tangy twist.

About Beef Taquitos

These Beef Taquitos are smothered in spicy, sweet, smoky barbecue sauce, mixed with cheddar cheese, then rolled in a tortilla and broiled to crispy perfection.  Next, they’re topped with more cheese, barbecue sauce and refreshing pineapple salsa.  These satisfying beef taquitos can be on your table and in your mouth in less than 30 minutes!

But I warn youโ€ฆas the smell of simmering chipotle peppers, garlic, red onions, pineapple and barbecue sauce permeates the air, your house dwellers will become increasingly impatient.  It might just be the longest 30 minutes of their life.

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What kind of meat do you use for Beef taquitos?

For these Beef Taquitos, I use 1 ½ pounds of diced flank steak.  Flank steak is more economical than other cuts of steak but will emerge buttery tender when diced and not overcooked.  Alternatively, you can use a more expensive cut of steak such as trip tip or top sirloin but I don’t tthink it is necessary.

I don’t recommend ground beef for this Beef Taquitos recipe.  I have tried it with ground beef and the texture was not nearly as pleasing.  You are welcome to give it a try but I cannot guarantee maximum deliciousness.

You may substitute diced chicken for the beef.

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What Ingredients do I need for this Beef Taquitos Recipe?

  • 1 1/2 pounds flank steak, diced*
  • red onion (remaining from salsa)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup sweet barbecue sauce (Like sweet Baby Ray’s)
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ยผ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle pepper, minced (from can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce)
  • 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

The only ingredient you might not be familar with is chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.  If you have never used them before, they are super simple and easy to use and smoky delicious!  You will find yourself trying to put them in every dish you makeโ€ฆ.maybe even Dijon chicken, err, maybe thatโ€™s just meโ€ฆTo learn about them, click here.

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How do you make crispy taquitos in the oven?

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking tray with foil and place a baking rack on top of it. Divide taquito filling evenly between tortillas and roll as tightly as possible. Brush both sides of each taquito lightly with olive oil, and place on rack, seam side down.
  2. Cook taquitos for 10 minutes, then turn oven to broil, adjusting oven rack to top middle position. Broil taquitos until golden brown, 2-3 minutes, watching closely so they donโ€™t burn. Flip taquitos over and broil the other side until crispy. Push taquitos together and top with cheese. Broil until cheese is melted.
  3. Top individual servings of taquitos with more barbecue sauce and pineapple salsa.
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Looking for More Taquito Recipes?

Looking for more Mexican recipe favorites?

Cheesy Hawaiian BBQ Beef Taquitos with Pineapple Salsa

Hawaiian Beef Taquitos are an intoxicating bite ofย  beef smotheredย in cheese and spicy, sweet, smoky barbecue sauce and refreshing Pineappleย salsa!
Servings: 8 -10 taquitos
Total Time: 40 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

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Ingredients

  • 8-10 12 inch flour tortillas

Simple Pineapple Salsa

  • 2 cups chopped fresh pineapple
  • 1 red onion, finely chopped, divided
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ – 1/2 teaspoon adobo sauce
  • 1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro, chopped

Taquito Filling

  • 1 1/2 pounds flank steak, diced*
  • red onion (remaining from salsa)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup sweet barbecue sauce (Like sweet Baby Ray’s)
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ยผ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle pepper, minced (from can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce)
  • 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • Combine ⅓ cup red onion and all remaining salsa ingredients to a medium bowl and set aside in the fridge.
  • Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add steak and red onions, season with salt and pepper, and cook until steak is mostly cooked through. Add garlic and sautรฉ another 30 seconds.
  • Add remaining taquito filling ingredients (except for cheese) and simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until steak is cooked through and barbecue sauce is warmed. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup cheese. Taste and adjust seasonings and heat as desired.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking tray with foil and place a baking rack on top of it. Divide taquito filling evenly between tortillas and roll as tightly as possible. Brush both sides of each taquito lightly with olive oil, and place on rack, seam side down.
  • Cook taquitos for 10 minutes, then turn oven to broil, adjusting oven rack to top middle position. Broil taquitos until golden brown, 2-3 minutes, watching closely so they donโ€™t burn. Flip taquitos over and broil the other side until crispy. Push taquitos together and top with cheese. Broil until cheese is melted.
  • Top individual servings of taquitos with more barbecue sauce and pineapple salsa.

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16 Comments

  1. Kimberly says

    Awesome Jen! Your site looks amazing and I can’t wait to try the taquitos! You are the best – xoxo

    • Jen says

      No Kim – YOU ARE AMAZING! You have been on my mind (you are always on my mind!), I will call you tomorrow. x0x0x!

  2. Marilyn Faulkner says

    This looks delicious and so are you! I will be a frequent visitor!

    • Jen says

      Thanks Marilyn! You always bring a smile to my face!

  3. Raquel says

    Hi Jen-I am so excited to follow you on your new food blog! Your pictures are fabulous and the food looks delish! I am trying the Taquitos ASAP! Love you tons!!!

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much! I am excited to share! I am looking forward to coming your way sometime this year – its been too long! xoxoxo

  4. MIchael Monroe says

    Drooling over here in Rancho Bernardo. Can’t wait to try this one!

    • Jen says

      Thanks, let me know when you do! Hope all is well!

  5. Alisa says

    I am so excited for some new yummy recipes!!! I always love to try new things! Can’t wait to try all you stuff.

    • Jen says

      Thanks Alisa, I’m excited to share! Hopefully I’ll get to see you this Spring!

  6. Linda says

    I can’t even get over how delicious these were! They have definitely made it to my families “favorite” list and i will be making them again and again! Thanks for a great recipe! If this was your first post, I can’t wait to see what else you have!

    • Jen says

      You are so sweet Linda, I am so happy you and your family loved the taquitos! They are one of my favorites too! I am excited fro you to check out my other recipes, I think you will find a lot more family favorites ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks again for stopping by!

  7. Kim McM says

    Simple Pineapple Salsa calls for adobo sauce
    (from can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce) and the Taquito Filling calls for barbecue sauce. What brands do you use? Even if I can’t find them locally, I can check them out on the internet and see more about their flavor profile. Thank you, Kim

    • Jen says

      Hi Kim! For the adobo sauce, I use Embasa brand and for the BBQ sauce, I use KC Masterpiece Original BBQ (I think I got it at Costco). I hope this helps and can’t wait to see what you think!

  8. Gigi says

    Oh these look and sound so yummy! I can’t wait to try them, but your recipe says the salsa takes a whole onion divided. Then the filling says to use remaining onion. Are you supposed to use half onion in salsa and half in filling; or use only the root and end of the onion for filling?

    • Jen says

      Hi Gigi, this was actually the first recipe I ever posted, crazy going back and looking at it again! I just edited the recipe – it should be 1/3 cup red onion for the salsa and the remaining from one onion for the steak. Thanks for clarifying. I hope you love them – I still think they are amazing!