Taco Bell Enchirito Recipe

Quick & Satisfying Taco Bell Enchirito Recipe for Home Chefs

Mysteries of the taco bell enchirito dance across my culinary memories like spicy whispers from childhood.

My mom would surprise us with this fusion delight during weekend movie nights.

Classic Mexican-American restaurant flavors blend seamlessly in this comfort food masterpiece.

Soft tortillas wrap around seasoned beef with a passionate embrace of melted cheese.

Creamy beans and zesty sauce create layers of mouthwatering complexity you’ll adore.

Onions scattered throughout add bright, crisp texture to each delectable bite.

Recreate this nostalgic dish and transport yourself to delicious moments of pure joy.

A Homemade Twist on a Fast-Food Favorite

  • Quick Homemade Delight: Recreate the classic Taco Bell Enchirito in your own kitchen with simple ingredients and basic cooking skills, making restaurant-style Mexican food accessible to everyone.
  • Family Crowd-Pleaser: Customize the recipe easily for picky eaters, offering a versatile meal that satisfies both kids and adults with its familiar, comforting flavors and hearty meat filling.
  • Time-Efficient Cooking: Prepare the entire dish in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute meal solutions when you crave something delicious and filling.
  • Budget-Friendly Option: Use affordable ground chuck and pantry spices to create a restaurant-inspired dish at a fraction of the cost, helping you save money while enjoying a tasty meal.

What’s Inside A Taco Bell Enchirito

Taco Seasoning Mix:
  • Masa Harina, Chili Powder, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Seasoning Salt, Paprika, Ground Cumin, Garlic Salt, Sugar, Dried Minced Onion, Beef Bouillon Powder: A robust blend of spices that creates a complex, authentic Mexican-style flavor profile for the meat, with each spice adding depth and warmth to the seasoning.
Main Protein:
  • Ground Chuck: A flavorful beef cut with perfect fat content for creating juicy and rich taco meat, ideal for its robust taste and tender texture.
Preparation Notes:
  • Chili Powder: Look for a high-quality, fresh blend with a deep red color.
  • Masa Harina: Authentic corn flour that adds traditional Mexican texture and flavor.
  • Ground Cumin: Freshly ground provides the most intense aroma and taste.
  • Beef Bouillon Powder: Enhances the meat's savory umami qualities.

How To Assemble Taco Bell Enchirito

Step 1: Whip Up Signature Taco Seasoning

Grab a mixing bowl and combine the magical blend of spices that will transform your ground beef.

Your spice arsenal includes:
  • Masa harina
  • Chili powder
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Seasoning salt
  • Paprika
  • Ground cumin
  • Garlic salt
  • Sugar
  • Dried minced onion
  • Beef bouillon powder

Stir these ingredients until they create a harmonious spice mixture that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Heat a skillet over medium flame and toss in your ground chuck.

Cook the meat, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until it develops a beautiful golden-brown color and releases those mouthwatering aromas.

Step 3: Infuse with Flavor

Sprinkle your freshly prepared spice blend over the sizzling beef.

Stir thoroughly, ensuring every morsel gets coated with the zesty seasoning.

Step 4: Let the Magic Simmer

Reduce the heat and allow the beef to simmer gently.

This slow cooking process lets the spices meld together, creating a rich, deep flavor profile that screams authentic Taco Bell experience.

Let it bubble softly for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Smart Ideas for Taco Bell Enchirito

  • Let the ground chuck simmer slowly to develop deep, rich taste and help spices fully penetrate the meat.
  • Mix dry spices thoroughly before adding to meat to ensure even distribution and balanced flavor profile.
  • Use lean ground chuck to prevent excess grease while maintaining juicy texture in your taco meat.
  • Adjust chili powder and cumin quantities to match your personal heat preference without overwhelming the dish.
  • Make seasoning mix in larger batches and store in an airtight container for quick future taco or enchilada preparations.

Taco Bell Enchirito – How to Store and Reheat at Home

  • Store leftover enchiritos in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Place individual enchiritos on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat for 1-2 minutes until warmed through, stirring halfway for even heating.
  • Wrap enchiritos in aluminum foil, place on a baking sheet, and warm in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, ensuring they stay moist and delicious.
  • Wrap each enchirito tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Best Additions for Taco Bell Enchirito

  • Zesty Cerveza Companion: Pair this hearty Taco Bell Enchirito with a crisp Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Pacifico, which cuts through the rich beef flavors and refreshes the palate with its light, clean finish.
  • Tangy Salsa Sidekick: Serve a homemade fresh pico de gallo alongside the Enchirito, adding bright tomato and cilantro notes that complement the seasoned ground beef and enhance the overall taste experience.
  • Cool Creamy Contrast: Dollop some smooth sour cream or Mexican crema on top, creating a cool, tangy counterpoint to the warm, spicy beef mixture that balances the dish's intense flavors.
  • Lime Margarita Match: Mix a classic margarita with fresh lime juice to provide a citrusy, zesty drink that matches the bold spices in the Enchirito and adds a festive touch to the meal.

Taco Bell Enchirito: DIY Version Ideas

  • Gluten-Free Delight: Replace masa harina with gluten-free corn flour and use certified gluten-free beef bouillon powder to create a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegetarian Alternative: Swap ground chuck with plant-based crumbles or finely chopped mushrooms, maintaining the same seasoning blend for a meat-free option.
  • Low-Sodium Solution: Reduce seasoning salt and garlic salt, substitute with herbs like oregano and thyme to minimize sodium content while preserving robust flavor.
  • Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Use ground beef with higher fat content, eliminate sugar, and serve in lettuce wraps instead of traditional tortillas to lower carbohydrate intake.

FAQs

  • What is masa harina, and can I substitute it?

Masa harina is a special corn flour used in Mexican cooking, made from corn treated with lime. While you can’t perfectly substitute it, you can use regular cornmeal in a pinch, though the texture will be slightly different.

  • How spicy is this Taco Bell Enchirito copycat recipe?

The recipe uses mild spices like chili powder and cumin, creating a balanced flavor without extreme heat. If you want more kick, you can increase the chili powder or add a dash of cayenne pepper.

  • What type of beef works best for this recipe?

Ground chuck is recommended because it has a good fat content that adds flavor and juiciness to the meat. You can also use ground beef with 80/20 fat ratio for similar results.

  • Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, the seasoned beef can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. This makes it easy to quickly assemble enchiritos when you’re ready to eat.

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Taco Bell Enchirito Recipe

Taco Bell Enchirito Recipe


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4.5 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Mexican-inspired Taco Bell Enchirito delivers bold flavors wrapped in a comforting tortilla blanket. Melted cheese, savory beef, and zesty sauce create a quick, satisfying meal you can easily recreate at home.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat:

  • 1.33 pounds ground chuck

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 1 tablespoon masa harina
  • 4.5 teaspoons chili powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon seasoning salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon paprika
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
  • 0.5 teaspoon beef bouillon powder

Instructions

  1. Craft a robust seasoning blend by combining masa harina, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, seasoning salt, paprika, ground cumin, garlic salt, sugar, dried minced onion, and beef bouillon powder in a mixing vessel.
  2. Heat a skillet over medium flame and introduce ground chuck, thoroughly browning the meat while breaking it into uniform crumbles.
  3. Generously sprinkle the prepared seasoning mixture over the browned meat, meticulously stirring to ensure comprehensive coating and distribution of spices.
  4. Reduce heat and allow the seasoned meat to gently simmer, permitting the complex flavor profile to harmonize and intensify for approximately 10-15 minutes.
  5. During simmering, periodically stir the meat to prevent potential scorching and promote even flavor absorption.

Notes

  • Customize spice levels by adjusting chili powder and cumin for personal heat preference.
  • Create a leaner version using ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for healthier options.
  • Toast masa harina briefly before mixing seasonings to enhance the depth of flavor and release aromatic compounds.
  • Make a large batch of seasoning mix and store in an airtight container for quick future taco preparations.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Emily Harper

Emily Harper

Nutrition Consultant & Recipe Analyst

Expertise

Healthy Recipe Modification, Nutritional Analysis & Meal Planning, Global Cuisine & Dietary Adaptations​

Education

School: French Pastry School, Chicago, IL

Program: L’Art de la Pâtisserie

Focus: Intensive training in traditional French pastry techniques, baking theory, and confectionery arts. ​


Emily’s journey started in a pastry kitchen but took a detour into the world of health and flavor science.
Graduating from the French Pastry School and studying nutrition opened her eyes to a new mission: making healthy food taste like something you’d actually crave.
At Dining At Home, Emily’s the go-to for smart, feel-good recipes that don’t trade flavor for nutrition.
She’s all about adding a fresh spin on old favorites and finding small ways to make everyday meals a little brighter.
Outside of the kitchen, Emily is most at home walking forest trails, testing plant-based recipes, or sharing a picnic under a wide-open sky.

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