The famous Taco Bell enchirito recipe has been brought back to life with a generous smothering of homemade enchilada sauce and plenty of melty cheese.
Why this recipe works
Taco Bell may have discontinued this saucy cross between an enchilada and a burrito back in 2013, but the enchirito continues to live on in this house. We’ve been lucky enough to see it reappear a couple of times over the years, but there’s really no excuse to not make it at home with how easy it is to prepare.
Taco Bell described it themselves as a “warm, soft flour tortilla wrapped around seasoned ground beef, hearty beans, diced onions, real cheddar cheese, and tangy red sauce”. Little did I know when I first made this copycat recipe back in 2012 that it would be discontinued the following year. But, the silver lining? For those who really want the classic taste, Taco Bell sells a bunch of its sauces in stores nowadays. And their taco seasonings, too.
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
TORTILLAS – Our instructions state to warm the tortillas in the microwave. This is just to get them pliable enough to fold without tearing. If you store your tortillas in the pantry as opposed to the refrigerator, you may skip this step.
BEEF – Lean ground beef, such as 80-90% lean, is ideal here so you don’t have to drain as much off. Ground chicken or turkey can be used instead of ground beef if desired.
SAUCE – I prefer to use homemade enchilada sauce, but any canned red enchilada sauce will do. Afterall, that’s essentially all Taco Bell’s red sauce was.
SEASONINGS – Because I always have it prepped ahead, I use my homemade taco seasoning mix. But you can easily substitute with Taco Bell’s original taco seasoning mix.
How to Make a Taco Bell Enchirito Copycat
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet and drain. Add taco seasoning and 1/4 cup of water. Bring to a boil then turn down to low and simmer 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat enchilada sauce in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Warm refried beans in the microwave. Warm tortillas in the microwave.
- Spread refried beans into the middle of each tortilla.
- Sprinkle diced onion over the beans.
- Spoon seasoned beef over the onion and refried beans.
- Fold burrito style and top with warm enchilada sauce.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
We may never know the real answer, but it’s safe to assume they discontinued the enchirito to simply refresh the menu and make way for new items (I’m looking at you, smothered burritos), which is sadly quite common with Taco Bell. We’ll always love you, enchiritos (and caramel apple empanadas).
It’s quite simply a burrito and an enchilada, combined into one. Think of a burrito filled with refried beans and seasoned beef, covered in red enchilada sauce and melty cheese.
Yes! If you didn’t know, the original enchirito was topped with sliced black olives back in the 1970’s. Feel free to add sliced black olives on top after adding the sauce.
Absolutely. However, I would recommend only freezing the filled burritos, without the sauce. Allow the filling to fully cool before wrapping in the tortilla. Once assembled, wrap the enchiritos individually with plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Place them on a baking sheet and flash freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen enchiritos to a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, remove the foil and plastic wrap, place them in a baking dish, and bake at 350F for around 30-35 minutes. Add the sauce and cheese and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes.
To reheat leftovers, place them in a baking dish covered with foil and heat in an oven set to 350F until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
That’s it, now you know how to make the best copycat Taco Bell enchirito. It’s really quite simple, isn’t it? Serve while warm from the oven with an optional garnish of sour cream and sliced green onion.
More Related Recipes
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Copycat Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme
- Shredded Chicken and Chile Enchiladas
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Taco Bell Enchirito Copycat
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Pin It Rate ItIngredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 ounce envelope taco seasoning mix or 2 Tablespoons of my homemade taco seasoning mix
- ¼ cup water
- 15 ounce can enchilada sauce or my homemade enchilada sauce
- 15 ounce can refried beans
- 6 extra large flour tortillas burrito size
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- Our instructions state to warm the tortillas in the microwave. This is just to get them pliable enough to fold without tearing. If you store your tortillas in the pantry as opposed to the refrigerator, you may skip this step.
- This is basically a quick microwave and stovetop type meal. Alternatively, you can place burritos in a 13×9 baking pan, top with enchilada sauce and cheese and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes in a 350 F oven, or until cheese is melted.
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef and drain. Add taco seasoning and 1/4 cup of water. Bring to a boil then turn down to low and simmer 10 minutes.1 pound lean ground beef, 1 ounce envelope taco seasoning mix
- Meanwhile, heat enchilada sauce in a saucepan over medium heat.15 ounce can enchilada sauce
- Warm refried beans in the microwave. Warm tortillas in the microwave.15 ounce can refried beans, 6 extra large flour tortillas
- Spread refried beans into the middle of each tortilla.
- Sprinkle diced onion over the beans.1 small onion
- Spoon seasoned beef over the onion and refried beans.
- Fold burrito style and top with warm enchilada sauce.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Lean ground beef, such as 80-90% lean, is ideal here so you don’t have to drain as much off. Ground chicken or turkey can be used instead of ground beef if desired.
- Because I always have it prepped ahead, I use my homemade taco seasoning mix. But you can easily substitute with Taco Bell’s original taco seasoning mix.
- I prefer to use homemade enchilada sauce, but any canned red enchilada sauce will do. Afterall, that’s essentially all Taco Bell’s red sauce was.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
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Tami Papworth says
I bought Taco Bell red sauce to top it and it was fantastic. I added additional cheese inside. This recipe is an easy go to satisfying meal, Thank you for posting this.
Diane says
I made this recipe for my family a month ago. It went over exceptionally well. Everyone totally enjoyed it
Edith says
My husband loves these, thanks a million
connie wis says
i made this it was delicious made a side of spanish rice to go with it big hit around here
Amanda Formaro says
Awesome, thank you Connie!
Sabene Georges says
Your site pops three different items that I have to close in order to read your content. Show Notifications, huge email subscribe form, and another video down in the corner. Like your content, but this desire to excessively collect my information is making me not want to come to your site.
Amanda Formaro says
The Show Notifications and the email subscribe form should not show up on future visits once you close them. The video is automatic. Thanks for your feedback, hope you enjoy the free recipes!
Dawn says
These are great the family LOVED them. putting recipe in our got recipe book
Amanda Formaro says
So glad you enjoyed them! :)
linda says
Wow! These are better than taco bell. They still serve them here in Minchigan. i remember when they put the olives on them also.
Thank you soo much for recipe!
Amanda Formaro says
So glad you liked them!
jd says
The old days at taco bell we used corn shells not flour shells, much more authentic taste, better, give it a shot
fishunter says
This theme can be followed using different sauces like green chili sauce or even taco sauce. It will be good to experiment with and see how your family and friends like it.
Mark Harrison says
The enchirito was always garnished with 3 black olive slices on top. Like the cherry on an ice cream sundae. It was always my favorite too. Thanks for the recipe!
Gini says
We still can find encharitos here in Bakersfield Cal. but they are not the original tortillas as was served in the 60′. It was a yellow tortilla. I am looking for a recipe for them as a flour totilla does not cut easy with a plastic fork. Also it can be ordered with green sauce. The ends were not folded under. It was so good. I will try this recipe soon. I can eat mex. food at any hour of the day. Thanks
Angela Clark says
The original “Encherito” was made with a corn tortilla and they had the traditional red sauce and they also had a delicious green sauce that they only give out in small packets now. that was topped with black olives which were only enough to give it one per bite. yummm!
Heidi Meinhardt says
Lol you go girl exactly thanks for stopping by Tim.! These do rock. I made them tonight and my sister loves them too. Great recipe thanks Amanda :)
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Heidi, glad you liked them!
Tim says
While this is a tasty burrito….It doesn’t taste anything like a Taco Bell Encherito ! I think you should try onebefoe you try to copy it !!
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks for stopping by Tim. I probably should have said inspired by instead of copycat as I do use my own enchilada sauce and taco seasoning. They are still damn good, and that’s what counts :)
Melmel says
I had an enchrita 2 weeks ago at Taco Bell, which was the last day as they were takng it off menu. I tried this recipe last night and it was right on the money. If I hadn’t known better I would have sworn they were from Taco Bell. Thanks so much for this recipe, it is a true copycat!
Amanda Formaro says
Yay, so glad! I didn’t even know they were taking them off the menu!
Deci MacKinnon says
When I was in college, there was a taco bell across the street. I lived on enchiritos! I love this, and have linked to it http://pearlsandparsnips.blogspot.com/2013/08/taco-bell-enchirito-copycat-amandas.html
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Deci!
Lynna says
This looks crazy good. I lovee taco bell.
Suzanne says
OMGOMGOMG! I am ALWAYS bitching, moaning, and groaning about not being able to get these any longer. They originally made them (like yours) with flour tortillas. Then they changed them to corn tortillas and that ruined them for me – although I love corn tortillas, it just wasn’t the same. I can’t wait to make and EAT these!! Have I told you lately how much I love you???!!!?!?!?!?!?!
The Squishy Monster says
This is brilliant! My friends are gonna go ga-ga over this!!
Barb Szyszkiewicz says
Magically delicious! We had this last night for dinner.
Amanda says
So glad you liked it Barb!
Jodi S. says
As a LOVER of Taco Bell, I am going to have to give this a whirl. Looks so authentic! Thank you Amanda!!!!
Amanda says
Thanks Jodi! And you don’t have to use the homemade sauce and taco seasoning, I just prefer them over the alternatives. You could absolutely use canned sauce and a packet of taco seasoning. Hope you like them!
trina lummus says
Your recipi sounds so good can’t wait gonna get stuff tomorrow this do you have any crock pot one’s
Amanda Formaro says
hope you enjoyed it!
Velva says
I would eat your burritos any day over Taco Bell. These rock! Thanks for sharing.
Velva
Amanda says
Thanks Velva!