Experience the perfect blend of zest and savory satisfaction with this copycat Taco Bell Chalupa Supreme. Sizzling ground beef, infused with chili and spices, meets a tender fried dough shell. Topped with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, melted cheddar, and a dollop of cool sour cream, every bite is pure indulgence.
I’m excited to share my Copycat Taco Bell Chalupa Supreme recipe. I started with 1 lb of ground beef cooked with 1/2 small chopped onion, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, and 1/2 tsp cumin.
These spices give a tasty kick and, paired with salt and pepper, they boost the nutritional value with high protein and iron. I then made a simple dough using 2 cups all purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking powder, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, and 3/4 cup water.
The dough is fried in vegetable oil until crispy which gives a nice crunch while keeping the calories in check. Lastly, I topped the chalupa with 1 cup shredded lettuce, 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and 1/4 cup sour cream.
This dish reminds me of authentic Mexican dishes and is a great copycat Taco Bell recipe that makes a solid lunch without too many extras.
Why I Like this Recipe
I love this recipe because the crispy fried shell and warm, well seasoned beef mix together to give me that perfect comforting crunch and flavor every time I make it. I really enjoy how the beef is spiced up with chili powder and cumin which makes it taste just like the real deal from fast food, only better cause I made it myself. I also like how the fresh toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sour cream add a cool, creamy element that balances out the heat of the beef and spices. Plus, it’s fun to experiment with the dough and make it exactly how I like it even if sometimes the dough turns out a little off, it still gives me a sense of pride knowing I made the whole thing from scratch.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: Rich in protein; gives a hearty meaty flavor despite being a bit fatty sometimes.
- All-purpose Flour: Provides carbohydrates and structure for homemade tortillas with a tender chew.
- Shredded Lettuce: Adds a crisp texture and fiber that lightens the rich, savory fillings.
- Diced Tomatoes: Bursting with vitamins and tang, they freshen up every hearty bite.
- Shredded Cheddar: Delivers creamy richness and protein, truly melting in every spicy mouthful.
- Sour Cream: Offers a cool, tangy balance that softens the heat from the spices.
- Vegetable Oil: Essential for frying, it crisps the chalupa and seals in flavor.
- Chili Powder: Adds bold heat and spice, enhancing the meaty flavors superbly.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup water (plus a bit more if needed)
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
How to Make this
1. In a frying pan on medium-high heat, saute the chopped onion in a little oil until it softens, then add the ground beef. Break it up and cook until its browned. Stir in the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper and let it cook for a few more minutes.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and baking powder. Pour in the melted butter and 3/4 cup water, mixing until a soft dough forms. If it seems too dry, add a bit more water.
3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it briefly for just a minute. Let it rest for about 10 minutes so it is easier to roll out.
4. Divide the dough into equal parts and roll each piece into a thin circle, about 6 inches in diameter.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to a medium-high heat. Carefully slide one dough circle into the hot oil and fry it for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side until the edges are golden and the shell becomes slightly crisp.
6. Remove the fried dough from the oil and drain it on a plate lined with paper towels.
7. While the shells are still warm, spoon the cooked beef mixture right in the middle.
8. Top the beef with a generous handful of shredded lettuce and sprinkle the diced tomatoes over it.
9. Next, add the shredded cheddar cheese and finish off by drizzling sour cream on top.
10. Dig in immediately and enjoy your homemade take on the Chalupa Supreme—it’s best eaten while still warm and crispy.
Equipment Needed
1. Frying pan for sautéing onions and browning ground beef
2. Large mixing bowl for combining flour, salt, baking powder, melted butter, and water
3. Cutting board and knife for chopping the onion
4. Measuring spoons and cups for the spices and other ingredients
5. Rolling pin for rolling out the dough circles
6. Clean, lightly floured countertop or work surface for kneading and dividing the dough
7. Deep pan or pot for frying the dough shells
8. Tongs or slotted spatula to flip and remove the fried dough from the oil
9. Plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil
FAQ
Copycat Taco Bell Chalupa Supreme Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Ground beef: Try using ground turkey or even ground chicken if youre looking for a lighter option.
- All purpose flour: If you dont have it, whole wheat flour can work, though it will change the texture a bit.
- Vegetable oil: Canola oil is a good substitute for frying if you dont have vegetable oil.
- Sour cream: Greek yogurt is a great alternative that gives the same creamy feel.
- Shredded lettuce: Iceberg or romaine lettuce can be used instead for crunch and freshness.
Pro Tips
1. When mixing the dough, add the water slowly and check its texture as you go. If it feels way too sticky or overly dry, adjust with a little more water or flour – this can really help you avoid headache later on.
2. Be super careful with the oil temperature while frying. If its too hot, the dough might burn fast on the outside and still be raw inside, so use a thermometer if you can or test a tiny bit of dough first.
3. Letting the dough rest for about 10 minutes really does help – it makes rolling it out much easier and helps prevent tears when lifting the fried shells out of the oil.
4. Make sure to drain your fried shells on paper towels. This step might seem small, but it keeps them from getting too greasy and lets you enjoy that crispiness even more.
Copycat Taco Bell Chalupa Supreme Recipe
Experience the perfect blend of zest and savory satisfaction with this copycat Taco Bell Chalupa Supreme. Sizzling ground beef, infused with chili and spices, meets a tender fried dough shell. Topped with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, melted cheddar, and a dollop of cool sour cream, every bite is pure indulgence.
4
servings
625
kcal
Equipment: 1. Frying pan for sautéing onions and browning ground beef
2. Large mixing bowl for combining flour, salt, baking powder, melted butter, and water
3. Cutting board and knife for chopping the onion
4. Measuring spoons and cups for the spices and other ingredients
5. Rolling pin for rolling out the dough circles
6. Clean, lightly floured countertop or work surface for kneading and dividing the dough
7. Deep pan or pot for frying the dough shells
8. Tongs or slotted spatula to flip and remove the fried dough from the oil
9. Plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil
Ingredients
-
1 lb ground beef
-
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
-
1 tbsp chili powder
-
1 tsp garlic powder
-
1 tsp onion powder
-
1/2 tsp cumin
-
Salt and pepper to taste
-
2 cups all purpose flour
-
1/2 tsp salt
-
1 tsp baking powder
-
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
-
3/4 cup water (plus a bit more if needed)
-
Vegetable oil for frying
-
1 cup shredded lettuce
-
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
-
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
-
1/4 cup sour cream
Directions
- In a frying pan on medium-high heat, saute the chopped onion in a little oil until it softens, then add the ground beef. Break it up and cook until its browned. Stir in the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper and let it cook for a few more minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and baking powder. Pour in the melted butter and 3/4 cup water, mixing until a soft dough forms. If it seems too dry, add a bit more water.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it briefly for just a minute. Let it rest for about 10 minutes so it is easier to roll out.
- Divide the dough into equal parts and roll each piece into a thin circle, about 6 inches in diameter.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to a medium-high heat. Carefully slide one dough circle into the hot oil and fry it for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side until the edges are golden and the shell becomes slightly crisp.
- Remove the fried dough from the oil and drain it on a plate lined with paper towels.
- While the shells are still warm, spoon the cooked beef mixture right in the middle.
- Top the beef with a generous handful of shredded lettuce and sprinkle the diced tomatoes over it.
- Next, add the shredded cheddar cheese and finish off by drizzling sour cream on top.
- Dig in immediately and enjoy your homemade take on the Chalupa Supreme—it's best eaten while still warm and crispy.
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 350g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 625kcal
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Polyunsaturated: 2g
- Monounsaturated: 14g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sodium: 800mg
- Potassium: 500mg
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Vitamin A: 300IU
- Vitamin C: 8mg
- Calcium: 150mg
- Iron: 3mg
