These Double Decker Tacos are the offspring of the love affair of crunchy and soft tacos. Copycat of the Taco Bell item without any of the guilt of fast food. Plus, these couldn't come at a better time, seeing as how Taco Bell no longer serves them (blasphemy!).
This recipe and post was updated October 2023.
We love these tacos all year round, but they're especially delicious when the weather warms up and we crave everything in a tortilla!
This was inspired by our amazing Taco Soup, and pairs well with our very delicious Garlic Jalapeño Pinto Beans or our Restaurant Style Refried Beans.
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Ingredients
Flour Tortillas - use taco/fajita size in order to wrap around the crunchy shell. I use an almond flour tortilla for a gluten free option.
Crunchy Taco Shells - these can be found in a box in the International aisle at the grocery store. They need to be baked for a couple minutes in order to get crispy.
Refried Beans - this is the quickest way to make double decker tacos, but we love this recipe with our Restaurant Style Refried Beans (they're sooooo good!).
Ground Beef - this is the classic meat to use in this kind of taco, but feel free to lighten it up with ground turkey or ground chicken.
Taco Seasoning - grab your favorite mix at the store, or feel free to mix up your own, like this homemade taco seasoning from Gimme Some Oven.
Shredded Cheese - we like this with a pre-shredded Mexican blend or cotija cheese.
Iceberg Lettuce - shred your own or pick up a bag of pre-shredded from the store.
Optional Toppings
- hot sauce
- sour cream
- avocado
- hot sauce
- queso
There are so many amazing taco toppings, so pile on your favorites! See the end of this post for a longer list of ideas.
Instructions
- Bake the crunchy shells according to the packages instructions. You want a good crunch!
- Heat up the refried beans, bonus points if you use our amazing and simple Restaurant Style Refried Beans.
- Cook up the ground beef and add in a packet of taco seasoning. Don't have a packet of seasoning? No problem! Use equal parts salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, and cumin.
- Finally warm up your flour tortillas. Either on the stove or wrap 10 tortillas in a wet paper towel and microwave on high for 2 minutes.
- Time to assemble!
- Place a flour tortilla flat and spread a thin, even layer of beans over the entire tortilla.
- Next wrap it around the crunchy shell, the beans keep everything in place so do not worry if the shell breaks, actually it makes it easier to get all those fillings inside.
- Place inside the taco - meat, cheese, and lettuce. That is a traditional double decker. But if you don't mind breaking the rules add in tomatoes, avocado, and sour cream (you're such a rebel).
The Taco Bell Double Decker
Once upon a time I frequented Taco Bell on a weekly basis (Hello high school!). While I no longer am a frequent patron of said establishment, I do find myself craving their Double Decker Taco, because well lets be honest... it is amazing.
So you could imagine my horror when I was on a road trip last year and found myself in their drive-thru line and was told they no longer carry that item! So it became time to take matters into my own hands. Hence the following recipe.
I am glad to say that this homemade version brings all of the joy and flavor of this classic without any of the fast food guilt or price tag.
Homemade Tortillas
If you want to take these to the next level, make your own homemade tortillas. Great to make ahead and seriously outstanding! (Excuse the photography on that post, it's an older recipe and I was still a beginner!)
Recipes that taste great with Double Decker Tacos
- Cilantro Coconut Rice
- Garlic Jalapeño Pinto Beans
- Homemade Tortillas
- Easy Pico de Gallo
- Creamy Monterey Jack Queso
- Green Chile Chicken Tortilla Soup
More Double Decker Taco Toppings
- Diced tomatoes
- Pickled jalapeños
- Cotija cheese
- Sour Cream
- Cilantro
- Avocado
- Salsa
Storage
These tacos will work best when ingredients are stored separately. The beef can be cooked and spiced and then stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Feel free to make the beef mix ahead of time and then warm up when you're ready to eat. This saves even more time at dinner time!
Double Decker Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 package flour tortillas taco/fajita size
- 1 package crunchy taco shells
- 1 can refried beans or homemade
- 1 pound ground beef or meat of choice
- 1 packet taco seasoning make your own using- salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and cumin
- 8 ounces shredded cheese Mexican blend or cheddar
- 1 head iceberg lettuce shredded or chopped
Optional Toppings
- hot sauce
- sour cream
- avocado
Instructions
- Bake your taco shells according to the package instruction, you want them to have a good crunch.
- Heat up the refried beans in the microwave or stovetop.
- Cook your meat, add in taco seasoning and set aside.
- Warm up flour tortillas on the stove or microwave.
- Now it is time to assemble.
- Lay out a flour tortilla and spread an even thin layer of beans covering the entire tortilla.
- Place a hard shell taco on one side of the flour tortilla and completely wrap the hard shell, it's ok if the shell breaks, the flour will hold it together.
- Assemble with meat, cheese, lettuce and any other toppings you would like.
- Enjoy!
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