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Copycat Taco Bell Chalupa Supreme Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 146 reviews

This Copycat Taco Bell Chalupa Supreme recipe re-creates the beloved crunchy yet soft chalupa shell filled with savory taco meat, fresh lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream, and diced tomatoes. With a simple dough and frying method, you can enjoy this fast-food favorite at home, perfect for Taco Tuesday or any casual meal craving bold Mexican-inspired flavors and satisfying textures.

Ingredients

Scale

Chalupa Shells

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon table salt
  • 1 cup whole milk, warmed
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • Canola oil for frying (about 2 inches in a deep pot)

Filling

  • The best taco meat (about 1 to 1 1/2 cups cooked seasoned ground beef)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup chopped lettuce
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • Taco sauce (optional, to taste)

Instructions

  1. Heat the Oil: Pour about 2 inches of canola oil into a large pot and heat it over medium heat until it’s hot enough for frying but not smoking.
  2. Make the Dough Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt thoroughly.
  3. Add Milk and Butter: Stir in the warmed whole milk and melted butter into the dry ingredients using a fork or spatula until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for about a minute or until it becomes mostly smooth and tacky but not sticky.
  5. Divide Dough Balls: Cut the dough into 8 equal pieces and shape each into a round ball.
  6. Roll Out Shells: Using a rolling pin, roll each dough ball into a roughly 6-inch diameter circle about 1/8 inch thick. Shake off any excess flour.
  7. Initial Frying: Carefully add one rolled dough circle at a time into the hot canola oil. Let it fry for about 5 seconds on each side to start cooking and crisping.
  8. Fold and Fry: Using tongs, gently fold the fried dough circle in half to form the chalupa shape. Hold one side in the oil for 1-2 minutes, then flip and hold the other side in the oil another 1-2 minutes to cook evenly and achieve a golden brown color.
  9. Drain and Shape: Remove the cooked chalupa shell with tongs and let excess oil drip off. Hang it over a wooden spoon handle suspended over a bowl to maintain its shape while cooling.
  10. Repeat Cooking: Transfer the shaped chalupas to a paper towel-lined plate and continue frying the remaining shells, adjusting heat as necessary to prevent overcooking or undercooking.
  11. Fill the Chalupas: Once all shells are cooked and cooled slightly, fill each one with taco meat, shredded lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced tomatoes, and taco sauce if desired.
  12. Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately while the shells are still crisp and fillings fresh for the perfect homemade Chalupa Supreme experience.

Notes

  • Warming the milk helps activate the baking powder and makes dough easier to knead.
  • Adjust oil heat carefully to avoid burning the delicate chalupa shells.
  • Use a wooden spoon handle or any similar utensil to maintain the chalupa’s iconic folded shape while cooling.
  • For best results, use freshly made taco meat with your favorite seasoning blend.
  • Paper towels help absorb excess oil after frying to keep shells crispy.
  • Chalupa shells can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container, then reheated briefly before filling.

Keywords: Chalupa, Taco Bell Copycat, Taco Shell, Mexican Fast Food, Fried Dough, Taco Supreme, Homemade Chalupa

Find it online: https://delishfamilyrecipe.com/copycat-taco-bell-chalupa-supreme-recipe/