Del Taco Copycat Beef Tacos
Description
Crispy, perfectly seasoned ground beef tacos that taste just like the Del Taco drive-thru — ready in 25 minutes for a fraction of the price.
Ingredients
Seasoned Beef
- 1 lb ground beef, (80/20)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Taco Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
For Assembly
- 8 corn taco shells
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded
- 2 teaspoons Hot sauce, or taco sauce. optional
Instructions
- Mix the seasoning. Combine all seasoning ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Brown the beef. Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumbling finely, until no longer pink (5–7 minutes).
- Drain and season. Drain excess fat. Stir in the flour, then add the seasoning and water.
- Simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 5–8 minutes until thick and saucy. Adjust salt and spice to taste.
- Warm the shells. Crisp taco shells in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 3–5 minutes.
- Assemble. Fill each shell with beef, top with cheddar, then lettuce. Add hot sauce if desired. Serve immediately.
Equipment
- Skillets
- Spatula
Notes
- For the finest, most authentic texture, break the beef into very small crumbles as it cooks.
- Don't skip the flour — it gives the meat that signature saucy-not-greasy consistency.
- Store leftover beef separately from shells for up to 4 days, or freeze up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 468kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 37gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 113mgSodium: 813mgPotassium: 610mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1311IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 362mgIron: 4mg