Mmmm…Taco Bell crunchy ground beef tacos! Every now and then I have a serious craving for them. Food, flavors and aromas are intertwined with memories. For many of us it’s that delicious slice of Americana that brings back sweet remembrances of the simple pleasures of childhood: lazy Saturday mornings, trips to the zoo, play dates with friends, and the occasional trip to Taco Bell. Although my family makes some of the best authentic Mexican tacos north of the border, some days I’m just hankering for the taste of Taco Bell’s crunchy ground beef tacos. Whenever a craving arises, it’s an indulgence that needs to be satisfied!
About Crunchy Ground Beef Tacos
I remember busy days out and about when my parents would cave in to childhood requests to stop by Taco Bell and pick up a few American fast-food ground beef tacos. Later, when I was in high school, a few of my good friends worked at Taco Bell. So I’d pop by their workplace to buy a few tacos and say hello. Today I’m sharing a healthier spin on these popular crunchy ground beef tacos, a staple of the Taco Bell menu. The most exciting part is sharing my super yummy Taco Bell copycat recipe: homemade taco seasoning for ground beef tacos.
Ingredients for Taco Bell Crunchy Ground Beef Tacos {Copycat}
Here’s the ingredients list for making delicious and crunchy ground beef tacos: preformed crunchy taco shells (from a box), lean ground beef, sour cream, iceberg lettuce, Roma tomatoes, shredded medium cheddar cheese, and my copycat Taco Bell taco seasoning recipe. Bottles of mild and hot taco sauce are optional. To create the homemade taco seasoning you’ll need: all-purpose flour, corn starch, Knorr Caldo Con Sabor de Res (granulated beef bouillon), paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, granulated sugar, and a surprise ingredient for an authentic Taco Bell flavor > natural unsweetened cocoa. You’ll also need 3/4 cup of water for this ground beef taco recipe.
How to Make Taco Seasoning for Ground Beef Tacos
Here’s how to make homemade Taco Bell taco seasoning for ground beef tacos: In a small bowl, add the all-purpose flour, corn starch, granulated beef bouillon, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, granulated sugar, and natural unsweetened cocoa powder. With a spoon, mix all the ingredients well. If you’re wondering about the need for salt, the granulated beef bouillon contains all the salt you need! However, once the ground beef is prepared if you’d like just a bit more salt, simply stir in a little extra granulated bouillon. Go ahead and dip your little finger into the mixture to have a taste. What do you think? You’ve just created a delicious homemade taco seasoning for ground beef tacos!
Crunchy Ground Beef Taco Recipe
In a deep skillet over medium heat, cook and brown the ground beef until there’s no more pink. While you’re cooking the beef, use a flat-edged wooden spoon or heat-safe spatula to break up the beef into little pieces. DRAIN OFF THE FAT. Add the homemade taco seasoning mix to the pan along with 3/4 cup of warm water. Stir to mix everything together. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
How to Make Copycat Taco Bell Crunchy Ground Beef Tacos
One by one, fill the preformed crunchy taco shells 1/3 of the way up with cooked ground beef. Next, add a thin layer of sour cream on top of the beef. Add a nice layer of shredded iceberg lettuce. Garnish the copycat Taco Bell ground beef tacos with diced Roma tomatoes and a light sprinkling of shredded cheddar cheese. At Taco Bell they call this version their Crunchy Taco Supreme. To elevate your homemade version of this recipe, add a more generous sprinkling of cheddar cheese and a few more yummy tomatoes! Mmmm…a healthier Taco Bell {copycat} recipe made at home.
Taco Tuesday Ground Beef Tacos
These quick and easy ground beef tacos are absolutely perfect for Taco Tuesday and Cinco de Mayo festivities! What’s awesome about this simple recipe is the set-up for large group parties. It’s a fantastic self-serve menu option. Simply lay the preformed taco shells in a nice basket or bowl lined with a pretty kitchen towel. Place the cooked ground beef taco meat in a small chafing dish with a burner beneath it, or in a crockpot to keep the meat warm. Use other nice bowls for the shredded lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, and diced tomatoes. Many brands of sour cream now come in squeeze bottle containers that are perfect mess-free options for Taco Tuesday and Cinco de Mayo tablescapes. And don’t forget the hot sauce!
Recommended Kitchen Tools for Ground Beef Tacos
When making filling for ground beef tacos, I use my lovely Staub Universal Pan. It carries me through so many different recipes, and looks so beautiful sitting on my stovetop. For homemade seasoning recipes, I love my cute little spice jars. I have one set in my California kitchen and another set in my kitchen in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. For serving homemade ground beef tacos, stylish metal stands are absolutely perfect and very versatile. Use one side for serving two ground beef tacos or the second side for serving three. Below is another option for serving tacos to guests with larger appetites.
Taco Bell Crunchy Ground Beef Tacos {Copycat Recipe}
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
A super delicious copycat recipe for Taco Bell ground beef tacos. The secret of this flavorful recipe lies in the unique homemade taco seasoning blend. This recipe’s a keeper!
Ingredients
HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 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
- Homemade taco seasoning recipe (above)
- 3/4 cup warm water
- Preformed crunchy taco shells (from a box)
- Sour cream
- Iceberg lettuce, shredded
- Roma tomatoes, diced
- Medium cheddar cheese, shredded
- Optional: mild and/or hot taco sauce
Instructions
HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING
In a small bowl, add all of the taco seasoning ingredients: all-purpose flour, corn starch, granulated beef bouillon, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, granulated sugar, and natural unsweetened cocoa powder. With a spoon, mix all the ingredients until well combined.
CRUNCHY GROUND BEEF TACOS
- In a deep skillet over medium heat, cook and brown the ground beef until there’s no more pink. While you’re cooking the beef, use a flat-edged wooden spoon or heat-safe spatula to break up the beef into little pieces. DRAIN OFF THE FAT.
- Add the homemade taco seasoning to the pan along with 3/4 cup of warm water. Stir to mix everything together. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do a taste test. If your ground beef needs a touch more salt, simply sprinkle in a little bit more granulated beef bouillon and mix well.
- Fill the taco shells 1/3 of the way up with cooked ground beef. Add a thin layer of sour cream on top of the beef. Add a nice layer of shredded iceberg lettuce. Garnish the round beef tacos with diced Roma tomatoes and a sprinkling of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Category: Lunch, Snack, Dinner, Late Night, Taco Tuesday, Party
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Mexican, Tex-Mex
Keywords: copycat taco bell beef, beef taco recipe
CRUNCHY GROUND BEEF TACOS RECIPE > PIN IT TO PINTEREST
Save this delicious Taco Bell CRUNCHY BEEF TACOS RECIPE for later! For safe keeping, pin it to Pinterest!
ESSENTIAL MEXICAN RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
AUTHENTIC MEXICAN GUACAMOLE
CHEESY ROTEL BEAN DIP
FIESTA TACO DIP
TACO BELL CRUNCHY GROUND BEEF TACOS {Copycat} > YOUR THOUGHTS
Do you love the taste of Taco Bell crunchy ground beef tacos but have been looking for a healthier homemade version? What do you think of this Taco Bell copycat recipe? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
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.
★★★★★