What is the Taco Bell Enchirito?
The Taco Bell Enchirito is a delicious cross between an enchilada and a burrito, featuring:
✔ A soft flour tortilla – Instead of a corn tortilla like a traditional enchilada.
✔ Seasoned ground beef – Taco Bell-style seasoned beef for authentic flavor.
✔ Refried beans – A creamy, savory addition.
✔ Diced onions – Adds a mild crunch and flavor boost.
✔ Red enchilada sauce – Smothered over the top for that saucy goodness.
✔ Melted cheddar cheese – The perfect gooey topping.
It was a Taco Bell fan favorite for decades, but in 2013, Taco Bell removed it from the menu. They briefly brought it back in 2022 for a limited time, but many fans still crave the classic Enchirito experience.
Can You Make a Taco Bell Enchirito at Home?
Absolutely! With just a few ingredients and 20 minutes, you can recreate this classic dish at home—and even make it better than the original!
Now, let’s go over the essential ingredients to make the perfect Taco Bell Enchirito from scratch.
Essential Ingredients for a Homemade Taco Bell Enchirito
To make a perfect Taco Bell Enchirito at home, you’ll need soft tortillas, seasoned beef, refried beans, enchilada sauce, and cheese. Choosing the right ingredients ensures that your homemade Enchirito tastes just like the original—or even better!
🔹 The Key Ingredients for an Authentic Enchirito
🌮 1. Tortillas (The Enchilada-Burrito Base)
A Taco Bell Enchirito is not made with a traditional corn tortilla—it uses a soft flour tortilla, just like a burrito.
✔ Best Choice: 8-inch flour tortillas (small burrito size)
✔ Alternative: 10-inch tortillas for a larger Enchirito
✔ Pro Tip: Warm the tortillas slightly before rolling to prevent tearing.
🥩 2. Taco Bell-Style Seasoned Beef
The key to a perfect copycat Enchirito is getting the seasoned ground beef just right.
✔ Best Choice: 80/20 ground beef (juicy and flavorful)
✔ Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch (Taco Bell’s secret ingredient for texture!)
- ½ cup water (to help the seasoning coat the beef)
💡 Shortcut: You can use Taco Bell taco seasoning packets if you prefer!
🫘 3. Refried Beans (The Classic Filling)
A true Enchirito must have refried beans for that creamy, savory texture.
✔ Best Choice: Canned refried beans (fast & easy)
✔ Homemade Option: Mash pinto beans with a little butter and seasoning.
✔ Pro Tip: Warm the beans before assembling so they spread easily!
🧅 4. Diced Onions (The Signature Crunch)
Taco Bell’s Enchirito includes mild, diced white onions inside the filling.
✔ Best Choice: White onions, finely diced
✔ Alternative: Yellow onions for a sweeter taste
💡 Want a milder flavor? Soak the onions in cold water for 10 minutes before using.
🍅 5. Red Enchilada Sauce (The Signature Smothered Topping)
The smothered sauce is what makes the Enchirito extra special!
✔ Best Choice: Taco Bell mild red sauce (store-bought)
✔ Homemade Option:
- 1 can tomato sauce (8 oz)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup water (to thin the sauce)
💡 Pro Tip: Simmer for 5-10 minutes to let the flavors blend.
🧀 6. Cheese (The Perfect Melted Topping)
Taco Bell uses a simple blend of cheddar cheese, but you can mix it up!
✔ Best Choice: Shredded cheddar cheese
✔ Alternative: A mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack for extra gooeyness
💡 How to Get the Best Melt? Cover the Enchirito while baking to help the cheese fully melt!
🔹 Bonus Ingredients (Optional Additions!)
🔥 Spicy Version: Add diced jalapeños inside the filling.
🫘 Extra Beans: Double up on refried beans for a heartier meal.
🌿 Garnishes: Top with sour cream, chopped cilantro, or diced tomatoes.
🔹 Summary: What You Need to Make a Taco Bell Enchirito
| Ingredient | Best Choice | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Tortillas | 8-inch flour tortillas | 10-inch for bigger Enchiritos |
| Ground Beef | 80/20 beef with Taco Bell seasoning | Pre-made taco meat |
| Refried Beans | Canned refried beans | Homemade mashed beans |
| Onions | Diced white onions | Yellow onions |
| Enchilada Sauce | Taco Bell mild red sauce | Homemade enchilada sauce |
| Cheese | Shredded cheddar | Cheddar & Monterey Jack mix |
How to Make a Taco Bell Enchirito (Step-by-Step Guide)
Now that we have all the essential ingredients, it’s time to put them together and recreate the Taco Bell Enchirito at home! This step-by-step guide will help you make a cheesy, saucy, and beefy Enchirito that tastes just like the original—or even better!
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Make the Seasoned Taco Bell-Style Beef
1️⃣ Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned (about 5 minutes).
2️⃣ Drain any excess grease.
3️⃣ Stir in chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cornstarch.
4️⃣ Pour in ½ cup water, stir, and simmer for 3-5 minutes until the mixture thickens.
5️⃣ Remove from heat and set aside.
💡 Pro Tip: The cornstarch helps the beef get that signature Taco Bell texture!
Step 2: Make the Enchilada Sauce
6️⃣ In a small saucepan, combine tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
7️⃣ Add ½ cup water and stir well.
8️⃣ Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
9️⃣ Remove from heat and set aside.
💡 Shortcut: If you’re using store-bought enchilada sauce, just warm it up!
Step 3: Assemble the Enchirito
🔟 Warm the flour tortillas in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to make them more flexible.
1️⃣1️⃣ Spread ¼ cup of refried beans onto each tortilla.
1️⃣2️⃣ Add ¼ cup of seasoned beef on top of the beans.
1️⃣3️⃣ Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of diced onions over the beef.
1️⃣4️⃣ Roll the tortilla burrito-style, tucking in the sides and rolling tightly.
💡 Want extra flavor? Add a spoonful of enchilada sauce inside before rolling!
Step 4: Smother with Sauce & Cheese
1️⃣5️⃣ Place the rolled Enchiritos seam-side down in a baking dish.
1️⃣6️⃣ Pour ½ cup of enchilada sauce over the top of each Enchirito.
1️⃣7️⃣ Sprinkle ¼ cup shredded cheese over each Enchirito.
Step 5: Bake & Melt the Cheese
1️⃣8️⃣ Cover the baking dish with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes.
1️⃣9️⃣ Remove the foil and bake for 3-5 more minutes until the cheese is fully melted.
💡 Want a cheesy crust? Broil for 1-2 minutes for a golden, bubbly cheese topping!
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!
2️⃣0️⃣ Remove from the oven and let the Enchiritos cool for 5 minutes before serving.
2️⃣1️⃣ Serve hot with extra enchilada sauce, sour cream, or hot sauce!
💡 Optional Toppings:
✔ Sour cream
✔ Sliced black olives
✔ Chopped cilantro
✔ Extra onions