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Taco Bell Crunchy Tacos

The perfect copycat recipe for Taco Bell's famous crunchy tacos with seasoned beef.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 236 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican

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
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients except the meat, and mix well.
  2. Crumble the ground beef into a large skillet (preferably nonstick) and brown, stirring well.
  3. Remove from the heat. Drain excess grease from the meat.
  4. Stir in the spice mix and 3/4 to 1 cup water.
  5. 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
  1. If you like, you can refresh the taco shells in the oven at 350°F for 7 to 10 minutes.
  2. To assemble the tacos, spoon a few tablespoons of the meat into each taco shell.
  3. Top with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream, if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • 🌮 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 Information

Calories 236kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 10g (3%) Protein 12g (24%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Cholesterol 45mg (15%) Sodium 352mg (15%) Potassium 247mg (7%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 555IU (11%) Vitamin C 2.1mg (2%) Calcium 98mg (10%) Iron 1.6mg (9%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 236

% Daily Value*

Calories 236kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 10g 3%
Protein 12g 24%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 45mg 15%
Sodium 352mg 15%
Potassium 247mg 5%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 555IU 11%
Vitamin C 2.1mg 2%
Calcium 98mg 10%
Iron 1.6mg 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.