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Taco Pockets

Taco Pockets

This is my twist on a traditional Taco/Burrito/Empanada/Chimichanga.  They are basically burritos, but instead of using a flour tortilla, I use egg roll wrappers.  It gives them a nice crunch and a different flavor than a traditional flour tortilla.

 
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Step 1Ingredients

Ingredients

There's really only a few key ingredients, and you can obviously tweak the ingredients around if you like, but here's what I use.

-1 lb. Ground Beef (lean is better. I used 90/10 for this batch)
-1 can prepared refried beans
-1 package Egg Roll Wraps, any brand...just make sure you get the big ones, the won ton wrappers are too small
-1 package Shredded Mexican Cheese blend (again, feel free to use any kind of cheese either
pre shredded or not. Shredded is just more convenient)
-1 can El Pato Salsa de Chile Fresco (this is what I use for the Taco meat, but any variety of taco mix will work. Some places don't carry this so use whatever taco mix you like!)
-Vegetable Oil (How much oil you need depends on the type of pan you use.  A deep fryer would work great, as does a wok.  I just used  a regular pan this time)
-Sour Cream
-Salsa
(any variety)
-Spices to taste (Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Cumin...I just use these to season the meat a bit while it is browning. Just don't overpower your taco mix/sauce)

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34 comments
Sep 10, 2011. 11:21 AMmaryliz says:
I'm going to make these soon. They sound SOOOO good !! and I love egg rolls and I love mexican food, so these should wind up on my favorite list.Thanks for posting these.
Mar 13, 2010. 8:21 AMWeather_blue says:
Made these for breakfast this morning.  ohgodssogood.  :D  Excellent 'ible, wonderful edible.  I'm very glad there's more of this filling in the fridge...
Feb 3, 2010. 6:12 AMthatoneguy101011 says:
Not to be rude, but wouldn't these be called burritos?
Feb 28, 2010. 4:44 PMmaven says:
Burritos aren't fried.  More likely they are closer to chimichangas (fried burrito) or flautas(what the rest of the world calls taquitoes).
Feb 3, 2010. 10:41 AMfrollard says:
a burrito uses a soft corn or flour tortilla

different places call hard or soft shell tacos 'tacos', whether right or wrong.

I'd call them taco rolls (from the eggroll used). :D
Feb 4, 2010. 8:09 AMStrype McClaine says:
I love the idea, but,,,,
This only brings me to question,
At what point would be best to freeze for instant dinners later?

If you froze before the fry, you could get longevity out of it, but then frying frozen....egh.
If you froze after the fry, you could have instant microwave taco-pacco's and put the quick-e-mart to shame
Feb 28, 2010. 4:40 PMmaven says:
I get around this problem with egg rolls by first microwaving until thawed and warm, then putting them into the toaster oven until crisp and brown.
Feb 5, 2010. 9:18 AMshanefor says:
Looks delish!  Nice job! Consider this; use ground turkey in place of beef, black bean in place of refried  beans, and bake with an egg white wash.  Nice healthier twist to an all ready great recipe ;)
Feb 11, 2010. 11:06 AMsaintrojo says:
I bake my egg rolls.  Egg wash or a coating of butter helps get the flour off of them.  But nothing really beats the frying.  I would love another alternative to making it tastier
Feb 6, 2010. 4:23 PMlady4feet says:
I bake my egg rolls just because I don't like messing with my fry daddy. Just make sure to brush the wrappers with some oil or butter before baking, if not they get really dry and not tastey.
I'm going to put these on my dinner list I have a few egg roll wrappers left from the last egg roll and won ton dinner.
Feb 5, 2010. 10:45 PMpiaferre says:
 Those are similar to the "empanadas" we eat here in argentina, exept the spice. ;)
Feb 4, 2010. 1:56 PMeash says:
Wow, this sounds amazing. I love "Americanized" Mexican food lol. I have a feeling that these will become my hubby's most requested meal.

If you haven't already seen it, you might like my Taco Ring. It seems like the two recipes should be in the same family. www.instructables.com/id/Taco_Ring/
Feb 4, 2010. 2:33 PMwhitt2 says:
When cooking with hot oil ALWAYS have a tight fitting LID next to pot or skillet.
If case of fire IMMEDIATELY put the lit on the pot or skillet.
When deep fat or not so deep frying ALWAYS have a lid that will fit tightly next to or on the stove TOP.
If no tight fitting led:  cover inside of lid with alum foil.  Tear large piece or 2 of foil ..put lid on top of foil. Fold the foil back over top  leaving it extending half inch or so all round edge of lid. (leave a longer edge by folding back and pinching foil so it stays on when you pick it up.)


Feb 4, 2010. 6:09 PMCreativeman says:
Excellent instructable!  Looks like a winner to me. Cman
Feb 4, 2010. 5:28 AMchipf says:
These are similiar to Empanadas.
Feb 3, 2010. 10:53 PMl8nite says:
the egg roll wrappers are a novel and interesting twist, I may just have to try it!  I really hate washing dishes so when Im going to just mix the refried beans into the filling anyway I drop them into the simmering meat mixture
Feb 2, 2010. 1:23 AMRorsach says:
This is on the menu for next weekend, thanks.
On the point of the temperature of the oil though; shell out for a decent thermometer, it makes all the difference. If the oil is too hot, the taco will burn without heating the inside, but if the oil is too cold, the taco will act like a sponge and absorb too much oil during cooking.
Feb 1, 2010. 7:21 PMdarus67 says:
Great. Now I'm hungry.
If I were making these I'd add some chopped onion either with the beef as it was browning or stirred into the filling.

Most Mexican restaurants I've been in would call these Chimichangas. Basically a deep fried burrito.

Well written, nice clear pictures, good use of notes in the photos.

One minor glitch: in step 6 your 3rd photo is out of order. It should probably 2nd to last.
Feb 2, 2010. 6:04 AMallen says:
I agree with darus67. You've got nothing to apologize for, spraynard.

Nice and clear, useful photos that are in focus, ingredients and equipment. That's more detail then I need but better too much detail then too little.
Feb 2, 2010. 9:16 AMbFusion says:
I highly recommend using a cooling rack OVER some paper towels. If you just rest them on as you have them now, the paper soaks up the oil, but then the oil gets soaked back into the rolls making them soggy. If you set them on a cooling rack and let the oil drip down, they will probably end up crispier (and better for you since oil won't be soaked into the crust.

You can always pat them down with paper towel to get rid of residual oil, of course.

Also, these look amazing, I'm gonna have to try them :D
Feb 2, 2010. 8:54 AMjeff-o says:
Mmmm, looks great!
Feb 2, 2010. 6:46 AMERCBIENG says:
 This is kinda like my southern dinner shells..good work!
Feb 1, 2010. 7:21 PMCat on my Lap says:
You could link the used oil bit to a biodiesel or soap instructable.
Feb 1, 2010. 5:27 PMleeski says:
 yummy.  I have always loved the crunchy taco shells, this takes it one step further and best of all eliminates the broken taco shells....

Feb 1, 2010. 5:08 PMvalhallas_end says:
These sound pretty tasty.  I had a similar filling in a taco stromboli I used to make, and it was quite excellent in the thicker dough, but my love of eggrolls and eggroll wrappers may top stromboli.  I'll have to try this as soon as I find a good local wrapper...

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Author:spraynard