Taco Bell crunchy ground beef tacos! Just like the Taco Bell crunchwrap supreme, the fast-food cravings are real. When hunger strikes, don’t hop in your car. Stay at home. Assemble this easy recipe in just 20 minutes.
About THESE Crunchy GROUND BEEF Tacos
Living in Mexico a few months a year, I really enjoy authentic Mexican tacos. But some days I hanker for a taste of Americana: the Taco Bell meat recipe for their signature tacos. It’s a hunger that must be satisfied!
Because we’re making these tacos at home, you can put a healthier spin on this popular recipe. Use lean meat. Choose a darker lettuce with less water content and more nutrients. Use low-fat sour cream rather than regular.
Cocoa powder is the secret ingredient for our Taco Bell taco seasoning recipe. It’s an authentic Mexican flavor that brings home the taste you’re looking for. It’s used in traditional Mexican recipes like mole sauce.
Ingredients
This Taco Bell meat recipe is easy to assemble at home. All you need are some basic refrigerator and pantry items.
- Ground beef
- Ground beef taco seasoning (recipe below )
- Water
- Sour cream
- Lettuce, shredded
- Roma tomatoes, diced
- Shredded medium cheddar cheese
- Preformed taco shells, store-bought
- OPTIONAL: hot sauce or salsa verde
TACO BELL TACO SEASONING RECIPE
If you don’t have some of the ingredients on hand, like beef bouillon or cocoa powder, use this homemade recipe for ground beef taco seasoning. Another option: a store-bought envelope of taco spice mix.
- All-purpose flour
- Cornstarch
- Granulated beef bouilion (Knorr Caldo con Sabor de Res)
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cumin
- Granulated sugar
- Natural unsweetened cocoa
PREP GROUND BEEF taco SEASONING
This homemade recipe is packed with flavor. It comes very close to the original taste of Taco Bell taco seasoning.
- Add dry ingredients and spices to a small bowl.
- With a spoon, mix well to combine.
KITCHEN SMARTS: The granulated beef bouillon contains all the salt you need. However, once the ground beef is prepared, do a taste test. If more salt is needed, stir in a little extra granulated bouillon.
TACO BELL MEAT RECIPE
Here’s how to cook ground beef for tacos.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook and brown the ground beef until there’s no more pink. With a spatula, break up the beef into little pieces.
- Drain off the fat.
- Add taco seasoning mix and water to the pan. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Allow the meat to simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
RECIPE TIP: When using lean meat, make it more flavorful and juicy by adding 2 tablespoons corn oil to the pan before browning. If needed, drizzle a small amount of heart-healthy oil over the cooked ground beef.
ASSEMBLE Crunchy Ground Beef Tacos
RECIPE PREP: Shred the lettuce with a serrated knife. Dice the tomatoes. Shred the cheddar cheese. Pull out the tub of sour cream.
- Fill a crunchy taco shell 1/3 full with cooked ground beef.
- Add a thin layer of sour cream on top of the beef.
- Add a thick layer of shredded lettuce.
- Garnish with diced tomatoes and shredded cheddar cheese.
MORE MEXICAN RECIPES TO TRY
If you love authentic Mexican food, or Tex-Mex cheese quesadillas, you’ll enjoy these easy recipes too! They’re perfect for lunch or dinner.
RECIPE FAQ
- WHAT IS A CRUNCHY TACO? At Taco Bell this is their basic taco. The crispy shell is filled with just 3 ingredients: ground beef, shredded lettuce, and a sprinkling of cheddar cheese.
- WHAT IS A TACO SUPREME? At Taco Bell these are their ground beef tacos that include both sour cream and tomatoes.
- HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE TACO SHELLS: You’ll need corn tortillas and vegetable oil. Add 1/4 inch oil to a small skillet. Heat oil over medium heat. When it shimmers, add a tortilla. After 5 to 10 seconds, flip the tortilla over with tongs and bend it in half. Keep frying with the tip of the tongs inside the fold to keep the shell wide open as it hardens.
- HOW LONG WILL COOKED GROUND BEEF LAST? If refrigerated promptly, the meat can last 3 to 4 days. Or freeze up to 3 months. Learn more about safe food handling from the USDA: Ground Beef and Food Safety.
- HOW TO FILL TACOS SHELLS WITHOUT TIPPING THEM OVER? Use a set of stainless steel taco holders. They’re ideal for assembling and serving. To purchase these taco stand favorites, click the affiliate link below.
EXPERT TIPS
These crunchy tacos are perfect for Taco Tuesday and Cinco de Mayo! Here’s how to serve them.
- Arrange taco shells in a basket or bowl lined with a kitchen towel.
- Use a crockpot to keep the meat warm.
- Place toppings in small bowls: sour cream, shredded lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, and diced tomatoes. Include a bottle of hot sauce.
- Encourage guests to assemble their own crunchy tacos!
RATE THIS RECIPE > ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
During Cinco de Mayo, friends said this was the best ground beef taco recipe. If you agree, give these easy Taco Bell tacos a 5-star rating in the comments.
Crunchy Ground Beef Tacos
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
These are the best crunchy ground beef tacos. Our homemade Taco Bell taco seasoning recipe brings home the taste and flavors of Americana. The Taco Bell meat recipe is quick and easy to make!
Ingredients
TACO BELL TACO SEASONING
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 1/2 teaspoons granulated beef bouillon (Knorr Caldo con Sabor de Res)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon natural unsweetened cocoa powder
CRUNCHY GROUND BEEF TACOS
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- Ground beef taco seasoning (see above)
- 3/4 cup warm water
- Preformed crunchy taco shells (from a box)
- Sour cream
- Lettuce (iceberg or Romaine), shredded
- Roma tomatoes, diced
- Medium cheddar cheese, shredded
- Optional: taco sauce
Instructions
HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING
- Add dry ingredients and spices to a small bowl.
- With a spoon, mix well to combine.
TACO BELL MEAT RECIPE
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook and brown the ground beef until there’s no more pink. With a spatula, break up the beef into little pieces.
- Drain off the fat.
- Add taco seasoning mix and water to the pan. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Allow meat to simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If more salt is needed, add a light sprinkling of granulated beef bouillon.
ASSEMBLE THE TACOS
- Fill a crunchy taco shell 1/3 full with cooked ground beef.
- Add a thin layer of sour cream on top of the beef.
- Add a thick layer of shredded lettuce.
- Garnish with diced tomatoes and shredded cheddar cheese.
Notes
RECIPE FAQ
- HOW TO MAKE LEAN GROUND BEEF MORE JUICY? Brown the meat in 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. If needed, drizzle a touch of heart-healthy oil over the cooked ground beef.
- WHAT IS A CRUNCHY TACO? At Taco Bell this is their basic taco. The crispy shell is filled with just 3 ingredients: ground beef, shredded lettuce, and a sprinkling of cheddar cheese.
- WHAT IS A TACO SUPREME? At Taco Bell these are their ground beef tacos that include both sour cream and tomatoes.
- HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE TACO SHELLS? You’ll need corn tortillas and vegetable oil. Add 1/4 inch oil to a small skillet. Heat oil over medium heat. When it shimmers, add a tortilla. After 5 to 10 seconds, flip the tortilla over with tongs and bend it in half. Keep frying with the tip of the tongs inside the fold to keep the shell wide open as it hardens.
HOW TO SERVE TACOS
- Arrange taco shells in a basket or bowl lined with a kitchen towel.
- Use a crockpot to keep the meat warm.
- Place toppings in small bowls: sour cream, shredded lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, and diced tomatoes. Include a bottle of hot sauce.
- Encourage guests to assemble their own crispy ground beef tacos!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snack, Dinner, Late Night, Taco Tuesday, Party
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican, American, Tex-Mex
Keywords: Ground Beef Tacos, Taco Bell meat recipe, Taco Bell taco seasoning recipe
NOTE: The images below were the original photos for this post. The post has been updated to make it more helpful to the reader. But the Taco Bell seasoning recipe and the Taco Bell meat recipe remain the same.
GROUND BEEF TACOS > JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Do you love making and eating crunchy beef tacos? Did you try this Taco Bell meat recipe? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
I used this recipe with chicken instead of ground beef and it was a HUGE hit!!! My family loved it. My oldest daughter said they were the best chicken tacos I ever made. This will definitely be a regular recipe in my household.
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These look so good. My family will devour these! Thanks for the recipe.
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We are always looking for new taco recipes to try on taco night. These look delicious.
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Yesssss! No more need for the drive-thru! Making these tacos at home is way better.
★★★★★
These ground beef tacos are super delicious. This recipe is so yum and yet so easy to make. My kids love them!
★★★★★
Omg these look just like Taco Bell tacos but taste so much better!! I’m never going back to takeout again!
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The best taco recipe I’ve tried! thanks for sharing!
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I’ve always used store bought seasoning. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
OMG! I made tacos for the first time in my life following your recipe. I am impressed! Thanks a lot for your detailed explanations!
★★★★★
That seasoning sounds soooo good, I’m definitely going to try it next time I make tacos.
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I need to make these easy tacos for dinner tonight! These look so delicious!
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Delicious! So much better than the seasoning packets and easy! I have been using this recipe for over a year, and love it. I do halve the flour and cornstarch. The texture is amazing!
★★★★★
Thank you so much Katie for taking the time to share your delicious experience with this tasty recipe! Many fun wishes to you and your family for a wonderful summer.
Hi Denay:
We live in Nuevo Vallarta too. Where can I buy the pre-made taco shells?
Saludos,
Martha
Hello Martha. It’s so nice to meet you! We have two condos in Nuevo Vallarta. But during these stay-at-home times we’re currently at our home in California. When it’s safe to travel, hopefully during high season, we’ll be back there again. For pre-made taco shells I’d first try Sunset Market in Paradise Village Mall. Then I’d look for them at La Comer in that middle section where they have Kirkland products and imported items, and/or in the area when they sell the tostada shells. Walmart might be another good option! If not, it’s super easy to make your own taco shells at home. Look for American-style corn tortillas. In a small skillet, heat canola oil or vegetable oil over medium heat. Add a corn tortilla to the oil. As soon as the tortilla is bendable, which doesn’t take long to happen, use cooking tongs to fold the tortilla in half. With the tongs, hold the tortilla open a bit so it doesn’t fry shut. Then flip the taco shell and cook it on the second side. Enjoy the fresh air there in Paradise. Stay safe!
My daughter is super picky and loves Taco Bell tacos. I have tried making other taco recipes and she will only nibble and complain. She devoured four tacos tonight! I used a potato masher to get the meat closer to TB consistency, and used pan without any non-stick coating.
★★★★★
you are sooooo awesome with t these tacos
These look so good! You have me hungry for tacos now!
xx,
Amanda || http://www.fortheloveofglitter.com
Yum, yum, yum! We live for tacos over here in our house and I make homemade taco seasoning too. I love the idea of Taco Bell but so much better to make yourself and I think our bodies would agree lol!
xo, Nicole
I LOVE copy cat recipes almost as much as I love Taco Bell!
These sound way more appealing than the actual thing! (TB meat-dust is kind of a turn-off for our family.) I love those little metal taco stands too – very handy!
★★★★★
Those look so good! My husband would love them.
These look even better than the Taco Bell ones! And 100% healthier!
Your making me hungry.
I really want the taco stands now and that fiesta dip looks so yummy. Will be trying this!
Delicious! I love those little taco holders. Those would be so fun to have!
I’m dying to eat some Mexican food. I love it, also saving your guacamole recipe!
These sound and look amazing! And the equipment for serving and making them look awesome too. Thanks for sharing
Just in time for the weekend ! We normally eat Tacos on a Saturday and I am looking forward to trying your recipe ! (also love the homemade taco seasoning you added!)
★★★★★
I am so excited to find your Taco Bell Crunchy Taco recipe because that was my CRAVING during my second pregnancy, with two hot sauce packets on each one! I still want them every once in a while, but these will be a lot healthier for me.
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