Baked Turkey Taquitos Recipe

5 from 8 votes

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You’re about to pull off the kind of turkey taquitos that make people pause for a second, like… how did you make these so fast? The magic is all in the balance of simple ingredients and smart technique. I built this recipe for real life, kept every step straightforward, and made sure it delivers crisp, cheesy perfection with minimal effort. They bake up golden, full of flavor, and feel a little brag-worthy once you taste them.

A stack of crispy rolled tacos filled with shredded chicken, diced vegetables, and melted cheese, garnished with chopped herbs on a wooden board.


 

Ingredient Notes

  • Shredded turkey– this is perfect for using up Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey.
  • Cheddar and Mozzarella cheese– freshly grated cheese melts smoother and has better flavor.
  • Green onions– bring freshness and a little sharp bite.
  • Diced green chiles– mild heat with great flavor.
  • Cumin, chili powder, garlic powder– simple spices that wake everything up.
  • Tortillas– the classic choice for taquitos is corn, but flour works too. Warm them so they roll easily.
  • Butter– gives you that golden finish in the oven.
Ingredients for taquitos laid out on a marble surface: shredded turkey, tortillas, spices, black pepper, salt, diced green chiles, green onions, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and melted butter.

How to Make Turkey Taquitos

These baked turkey taquitos come together fast. Warm the tortillas, roll up the filling, brush with butter, then into the oven they go. For full recipe details, including ingredients and measurements, see the printable recipe card down below.

Step 1: Preheat Oven + Prep Pan

Line your baking sheet and get the oven heating to 350° F.

Step 2: Mix Filling

Combine the turkey, cheeses, chiles, onions, and spices until evenly coated.

A hand holds a small bowl of spices above a glass bowl containing shredded cheese, green onions, and cooked chicken on a marble surface.

Step 3: Warm Tortillas + Fill

Heat the tortillas in damp paper towels until soft, then add a spoonful of filling and roll tightly.

Step 4: Brush + Bake

Brush with butter, seam-side down, and bake until crisp and golden.

Three crispy taquitos filled with shredded chicken are arranged on a wooden board, garnished with chopped herbs, with salsa and jalapenos in small bowls nearby.

Tips for Success

  • Warm tortillas make rolling much easier. Don’t skip it.
  • Brush lightly with butter so they crisp instead of getting soggy.
  • Place them seam-side down for the best shape.
  • Use toothpicks if you want extra security while baking.
  • Grate your own cheese for better melting and texture.
Two baked rolled tortillas filled with beans and vegetables, garnished with chopped herbs, served on a white plate with a bowl of sauce in the background.

What to Serve with Turkey Taquitos

Once you make these turkey taquitos, you’ll understand why they’re in heavy rotation around here. They’re crisp, cheesy, and wildly easy to love. The printable recipe card is below. Have a great day, friends!

Baked Turkey Taquitos (46 of 22)

Baked Turkey Taquitos

Katie Cooksey
Baked Turkey Taquitos are crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, and loaded with flavorful leftover turkey. They bake up golden and crunchy, no frying required, and make the best easy dinner or snack.
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Meixcan
Servings 24 taquitos
Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 cups turkey cooked & shredded
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese freshly grated
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese freshly grated
  • 3 green onions diced (both white and green parts)
  • 4 oz can diced green chiles
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 24 corn tortillas
  • 1/4 cup butter melted

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Line a large cookie sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, stir together shredded turkey, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, green onions, diced chiles, and spices.
  • Wrap corn tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave 1-2 minutes or until hot and pliable. Brush melted butter onto one of the sides of the tortilla.
  • Place 1 heaping tablespoon of turkey filling near one edge of the tortilla.
  • Tightly roll it up toward the opposite edge, keeping the filling tucked in as you go.
  • Brush the outside with more butter and place onto prepared baking sheet seam-side down on so it stays closed while cooking. If you want extra insurance, you can secure it with a toothpick until it bakes and sets.
  • Repeat with remaining tortillas. 
  • Bake 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden and crispy. Serve warm with sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.

Notes

Storage + Make Ahead
  • Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350° F so they stay crisp.
  • Freeze: Freeze unbaked taquitos on a sheet pan, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 375° F until heated through and crisp.
  • Make Ahead: Assemble earlier in the day, refrigerate covered, then bake right before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 6gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 98mgPotassium: 91mgFiber: 2gSugar: 0.5gVitamin A: 177IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 83mgIron: 1mg
Keyword How to Make Taquitos, Taquitos, Taquitos Recipe
Rate This RecipePlease consider Leaving a 5-Star Review!

Variations

  • Swap turkey for rotisserie chicken.
  • Add a splash of salsa verde to the filling for extra flavor.
  • Use pepper jack instead of mozzarella for more heat.
  • Make mini taquitos with street-size tortillas.

More Recipes to Try

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.

5 from 8 votes

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Recipe Rating




38 Responses
  1. Renee

    5 stars
    We’ve made these several times already. Sometimes with leftover turkey or rotisserie chicken or even ground turkey or chicken. Whatever I have. The whole family loves them. Thanks for the great recipe!

  2. Molly Bell

    5 stars
    This is my favorite recipe from your site! It is something my whole family loves and we are big Tex-Mex fans, so I make it often! Thanks for this one : )

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  4. 26 Healthy Mexican Food Recipes for Cinco de Mayo – ViewTube

    […] Mains11. Turkey TaquitosBaked rather than fried, these light, flaky taquitos are super rica and insanely better than anything you’d find in the frozen foods aisle. They’re good with shredded chicken as well, and they’re husband- and kid-approved. […]

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  8. Barbara

    5 stars
    Made these this morning, watching calories so used butter flavored spray in place of the butter on the inside and out, they were excellent, the only problem was the filling was so good, I used dark meat, that is what we like, I was full from tastes of that in between making each one, thanks so much for sharing….the only tip I have is being really sure the tortillas are well softened, my first two cracked when rolling so just redid the remaining ones, and worked great….

  9. Paul Manke

    Try throwing the tortillas in a hot ungreased skillet or griddle flipping over several times until the outer layer forms a bit of a film and looks slightly toasted. This will make them stronger allowing you to really roll them tight.

      1. Sam

        Will try this but I’m planning to microwave the tortillas til pliable, then either brush both sides with extra virgin olive oil or spray with olive oil spray and maybe a light sprinkle of garlic powder for a little extra flavor since you taste the outside first, then followed by the filling. Thanks, Lauren.

  10. Karen

    OK…just discovered this one. I am making it this weekend. Thanks Lauren. You have been in my kitchen A LOT lately…but that is a truly good thing!

  11. Bobbie Chappell

    5 stars
    We made these tonight with the leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. Everyone loved them even my 17 month old. Only thing different I did was used mild green chillies because of the baby and flour tortillas. This is a keeper for us. Thanks for sharing.

  12. Jenny @ BAKE

    wow this sounds so good! there aren’t enough tomato free mexican dishes I’m so happy that you’ve introduced this to my world! I’m pinning it straight away.

  13. Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen

    My hubby is taking me out for my birthday tonight and you’re making me want to change my restaurant to Mexican….typical female…I can’t make up my mind!

  14. Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts

    5 stars
    Taquitos are one of my favorite Mexican dishes. I haven’t made them in forever! Love the baked version!

  15. Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel

    Golden and crispy little devils.. haha I love it! Taquitos are totally a comfort food. And I am not preggo but dang, do I crave Mexican food round the clock.

  16. Katie Lynn

    I wouldn’t feel bad about those mild chilis! Do what my aunt Susie does, blame it on the child. ‘She can’t eat hot things because her little taste buds can’t handle it. How sad. I *guess* I’ll have to use the mild chilis’. That way it isn’t your fault that you didn’t grow up in the south exposed to all of those spicy foods.

  17. Peggy

    OH yeah am I ever making these up!! Can you say perfect to have in the freezer for last minute holiday meals? Or perfect for junior high girls as they decorate a 4 ft Christmas tree? Or for a pre/post swim practice snack? Yippee!!

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