Taco Bell Crunchy Tacos
The perfect copycat recipe for Taco Bell's famous crunchy tacos with seasoned beef.
Servings 12
Calories 236kcal
Ingredients
Beef Filling
- 1 1/2 tablespoon masa harina
- 4 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
- 1/2 teaspoon beef bouillon powder
- 1 1/3 pounds ground chuck
Shells and Toppings
- 12 taco shells
- 1/2 head iceberg lettuce shredded
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 Roma tomatoes diced
- Sour cream optional
Instructions
Beef Filling
- In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients except the meat, and mix well.
- Crumble the ground beef into a large skillet (preferably nonstick) and brown, stirring well.
- Remove from the heat. Drain excess grease from the meat.
- Stir in the spice mix and 3/4 to 1 cup water.
- Simmer on medium-low heat for 20 minutes, until most of the moisture has cooked away. Remove from heat before the meat is completely dry.
Tacos
- If you like, you can refresh the taco shells in the oven at 350°F for 7 to 10 minutes.
- To assemble the tacos, spoon a few tablespoons of the meat into each taco shell.
- Top with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream, if desired. Serve immediately.
Video
Recipe Tips
- 🌮 Shell Success: Heat your taco shells at 350°F for 3-5 minutes before filling - this prevents breaking and adds extra crispiness while avoiding sogginess.
- 🥩 Meat Magic: After browning the beef, drain it in a colander and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. This ensures the seasoning mix won't become too watery when added.
- 🧂 Seasoning Secret: Mix your spices in a separate bowl before adding to meat. This ensures even distribution and prevents any clumping of individual spices.
- For the most authentic Taco Bell flavor, don't skip the masa harina – it's essential for achieving that signature texture and taste. If you can't find masa harina, corn flour is the next best substitute, although the flavor will be slightly different.
- For the best experience, avoid overfilling your tacos – Taco Bell's perfect ratio of ingredients ensures each bite contains all the flavors without a mess.
Nutrition
Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 352mg | Potassium: 247mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 555IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 1.6mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @CopyKatRecipes or tag #copykatrecipes!