Go Back Email Link
taco bell chalupa recipe

Taco Bell Chalupa Copycat Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt (for dough)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • ½ cup plain whole-milk yogurt
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp salt (for beef)
  • 2 tbsp water
  • Neutral oil for frying (about 2 cups)
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • ½ cup shredded Mexican blend cheese

Method
 

  1. Mix the 1 cup flour, 1 ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, and 1 tsp sugar in a bowl. Add the ½ cup yogurt and knead for 1 minute into a soft dough. Cover and rest for 10 minutes.
  2. Cook the 1 lb ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat for 5 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat, then add the 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp salt, and 2 tbsp water. Cook for 2 more minutes and set aside.
  3. Divide the dough into 4 pieces and roll each into a 6 to 7 inch oval, about ⅛ inch thick.
  4. Heat about 2 cups neutral oil in a small deep pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry each dough oval for 2 to 3 minutes, folding it in half within the first 30 seconds to form a shell shape. Turn once and fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
  5. Fill each warm shell with seasoned beef, sour cream, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and Mexican blend cheese, and serve immediately.

Notes

The shells are best eaten within about 10 minutes of frying, so have all your toppings laid out before the oil goes on. If you're feeding a crowd, keep the fried shells on a wire rack in a 200°F (95°C) oven while you finish the batch. Leftover beef reheats well; leftover shells do not, so only fry what you'll eat.