Cat’s Cora’s “Copy Cat” Taco Bell Chalupa

INGREDIENTS

Chalupa filling ingredients 

1 tablespoon dried onion flakes 

1/2 cup water 

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 

1-pound ground beef 

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed 

1/4 cup all-purpose flour 

1 teaspoon chili powder 

1 teaspoon smoked paprika 

1 teaspoon salt 

Garnishes:  

Sour cream, shredded lettuce, cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, dices tomato, guacamole, salsa 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Filling instructions 

Mix dried onion flakes with water in a small bowl and let sit for five minutes to reconstitute. 

Using your hands or a large spoon, mix the beef, flour, chili powder, paprika and salt in a large mixing bowl until combined. Add onion flakes and water and continue mixing until well combined.  

Heat the vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add beef mixture and cook until beef is browned, stirring often to break down any chunks (The mixture will have a paste-like consistency). Once beef is browned, cook about 5 more minutes, stirring frequently, to make sure flour is cooked through. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm until ready to assemble the chalupas. 

INGREDIENTS

Fry bread ingredients 

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 

1 tablespoon baking powder 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1 tablespoon vegetable shortening 

1 cup whole milk 

Canola or vegetable oil for frying 

2 tablespoons chili powder 

1 teaspoon salt 

INSTRUCTIONS

Fry bread instructions 

Mix flour, baking powder and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Cut in the shortening with a fork or pastry blender until it is evenly distributed. Add milk and stir until combined. 

On a floured surface, shape dough into an 8-inch-long cylinder and then cut the dough into 8 equal parts. With floured hands, shape each piece into a 6-inch-round tortilla. 

Mix chili powder and salt together in a small bowl. Set aside. 

Heat 2 inches of canola oil to 370°F in a large, heavy skillet. Fry each tortilla in the hot oil until golden brown on both sides. Remove from oil, immediately sprinkle one side with the chili and salt mixture, fold in half with chili and salt-side inside, and allow to drain on a paper-lined sheet tray. 

To assemble chalupas 

Fill each fry bread tortilla with a generous amount of the warm beef mixture, followed by sour cream, lettuce, cheese and then tomatoes. Top with guacamole, salsa and hot sauce if desired.