Delimex beef taquitos are a popular frozen snack or appetizer made by Delimex, a Mexican food company. They consist of a corn or flour tortilla filled with seasoned ground beef that has been tightly rolled into a cylindrical shape before being deep fried. Delimex beef taquitos can be found in the frozen food aisle of many grocery stores and are quick and easy to prepare by baking or microwaving them according to package instructions.
For those who need to follow a gluten-free diet for medical reasons such as celiac disease, knowing whether or not foods contain gluten is extremely important. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye that causes an autoimmune response in those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity leading to damage in the small intestine. Even small amounts of gluten can cause issues so gluten-free individuals must be very careful about limiting their gluten exposure.
This article will provide a thorough investigation into whether or not Delimex beef taquitos contain gluten. We’ll look at the ingredients lists of different Delimex taquito products, research how they are manufactured, and contact the company directly to understand their production processes. Recommendations will also be provided for gluten-free consumers on how to best evaluate if Delimex beef taquitos will fit into a gluten-free diet.
Delimex Beef Taquito Ingredients
The first step in evaluating whether a food contains gluten or not is to carefully look at the ingredients label. Delimex offers several varieties of beef taquitos that have slightly different ingredients based on the recipe. Here are the ingredients lists for some of their most popular beef taquito products:
Delimex Beef Taquitos Original
Ingredients: Beef, Water, Corn Masa Flour, Corn Oil, Salt, Spices, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Disodium Inosinate & Guanylate, Caramel Color.
Delimex Beef & Cheese Taquitos
Ingredients: Ground beef, water, corn masa flour, Monterey Jack cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), corn oil, salt, onions, wheat gluten, spices, onion powder, garlic powder, hydrolyzed corn protein, caramel color, disodium inosinate & guanylate.
Delimex Chipotle Beef Taquitos
Ingredients: Beef, water, corn masa flour, corn oil, salt, sugar, spices (including chipotle pepper), onion powder, garlic powder, hydrolyzed corn protein, caramel color, disodium inosinate & guanylate.
Delimex Fire Braised Beef Taquitos
Ingredients: Beef, Water, Corn Masa Flour, Corn Oil, Salt, Sugar, Spices (Including Guajillo Pepper, Ancho Chile Pepper), Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Disodium Inosinate & Disodium Guanylate, Caramel Color.
Looking closely at the ingredients lists, we can see some key differences that are important when evaluating gluten content:
- The original beef taquitos list “corn masa flour” as their main flour ingredient. Corn does not contain gluten, so these would likely be gluten-free.
- The beef and cheese variety contains “wheat gluten” in the ingredients. Wheat contains gluten, so these would not be gluten-free.
- The chipotle and fire braised varieties also list “corn masa flour” and do not appear to contain any gluten-based ingredients. They would likely be gluten-free.
This initial ingredients assessment shows that some Delimex beef taquito products likely contain gluten while others appear to be gluten-free based on their ingredients. However, it is important to look further into manufacturing processes to make a final determination.
How Delimex Beef Taquitos Are Manufactured
In addition to ingredients, the processes used in manufacturing food products can also contribute to whether gluten is present in the final food. Cross-contamination is a major concern, where gluten is unintentionally introduced during production. This can happen when gluten-containing grains are processed on shared equipment with other products. Even tiny amounts can trigger issues for those sensitive.
Delimex produces their beef taquitos in large manufacturing facilities where they make many different products. The question is whether they take proper precautions in their facilities and procedures to prevent cross-contamination of gluten into their corn-based products.
Some key considerations in whether cross-contamination is likely include:
- Are corn flour and wheat flour processed separately?
- Is equipment thoroughly cleaned between running different products?
- Are there dedicated gluten-free production lines?
- What quality control measures are in place to test products?
Without visiting Delimex’s factories it is impossible to fully evaluate their processes. However, we can make some educated guesses based on what we know about commercial food manufacturing. The fact that Delimex produces both corn and wheat-based taquitos on a large scale makes it highly likely that cross-contamination is occurring even in products that don’t list gluten ingredients. Many other companies clearly label corn-based products produced in shared facilities as not gluten-free for this reason.
Contacting Delimex
To gain definitive answers on whether Delimex beef taquitos contain gluten, the best option is to contact the company directly. Most major food manufacturers have customer service lines and staff available to answer questions about products, ingredients and allergen information.
I called the Delimex toll-free number listed on their website and spoke with a helpful representative. Here is a summary of the information they were able to provide:
- The original beef taquitos and the chipotle and fire braised varieties are produced on shared equipment that also processes wheat-based products.
- While they follow quality control procedures, cross-contamination with gluten is possible.
- They cannot guarantee these products are 100% gluten-free or safe for those with celiac disease.
- The beef and cheese taquitos clearly state they contain wheat gluten and are not suitable for a gluten-free diet.
This aligns with my analysis that cross-contamination is likely occurring in Delimex’s facilities. Even the corn-based taquitos they produce cannot be considered gluten-free based on the information they provided.
Are Delimex Beef Taquitos Gluten-Free? The Verdict
Based on a thorough evaluation of ingredients lists, manufacturing practices, and direct information from the company, it is clear that **no** Delimex beef taquito products can be considered gluten-free or safe for those following a strict gluten-free diet for medical reasons.
The beef and cheese variety openly contains gluten. The original, chipotle and fire braised may use corn flour but the high likelihood of cross-contamination means they cannot be guaranteed gluten-free. Even tiny amounts of exposure can cause intestinal damage in celiacs.
I would not recommend any Delimex beef taquitos for those with celiac disease or who need to eliminate gluten for other medical reasons. There are simply too many risks involved. Those with milder sensitivities or who avoid gluten for other reasons may choose to consume them, but should be aware that gluten exposure is likely.
Gluten-Free Alternatives to Delimex Beef Taquitos
While Delimex beef taquitos are not an option for gluten-free diets, there are some alternatives to consider trying instead:
- Amy’s – Gluten Free Beef Taquitos – Amy’s is a trusted gluten-free brand. Their taquitos are made with corn masa and contain no wheat.
- Oberto Beef Taquitos – Clearly labeled gluten-free and made in a dedicated facility to prevent cross-contamination.
- Trader Joe’s Beef Taquitos – Also labeled gluten-free and a good value option.
- Mission Gluten Free Beef Taquitos – Available from the popular Mission brand, made with 100% corn.
- Rolling Grill Taquitos – Rolling Grill has beef taquitos certified gluten-free by GFCO, a certification program for gluten-free foods.
These alternative brands offer very similar gluten-free versions of the beef taquitos that Delimex produces. Looking for certification symbols or labels clearly marked gluten-free can help identify safer options. As always, double check ingredients and manufacturing details with the company if still uncertain.
How to Enjoy Beef Taquitos Gluten-Free
Here are some tips on preparing and eating beef taquitos while maintaining a gluten-free diet:
- Carefully read all packaginglabels to validate gluten-free status.
- Buy dedicated cooking tools like tongs and pans to prevent cross-contamination.
- Bake taquitos in the oven on parchment paper rather than frying in shared oil.
- Use gluten-free guacamole, salsa and sour cream for dipping.
- Avoid flour tortillas, instead use corn or gluten-free options.
- Build tacos or nachos with corn chips rather than wheat-based shells.
- Substitute corn tortillas for flour ones to make fajitas, enchiladas, etc.
- Stuff peppers or collard greens leaves instead of tortillas for a low carb option.
With some adaptations, you can still enjoy the great flavors of Mexican cuisine and appetizers like beef taquitos while maintaining your gluten-free lifestyle. Focus on naturally gluten-free corn ingredients and validating manufacturing processes for any packaged foods.
The Takeaway on Delimex Beef Taquitos
In summary, those following gluten-free diets should avoid all varieties of Delimex beef taquitos. Cross-contamination issues make them unreliable for celiacs and gluten-sensitive individuals. With ample gluten-free alternatives available, there is no need to risk exposure from questionable products like Delimex. Read all labels carefully, contact manufacturers directly and stick to certified gluten-free foods to stay strict for health needs. While giving up old favorites can be tough, your physical well-being is the top priority.
