Copycat recipe for 1986 Taco Bell Ground Beef Tacos

20 years to recreate the iconic taste of the 80's

[EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

*UPDATE* I made this last night. Followed the directions and ingredients exactly. It is absolutely SPOT ON! Thanks you so much!!!!

[legadillo]

I’ll have to try it. My working single mom took us to Taco Bell a LOT. It was blocks away, two 17¢ tacos and a coke was a fine dinner, eaten at a dirty picnic table under a freeway overpass. I miss those greasy orange meat drippings.

[jamesgumm]

This is certainly the best and most comprehensive taco bell meat recipe on youtube. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for great your work!

[theincrediblemisternobody]

I made the recipe tonight- it was amazingly spot-on, as close as is possible to replicate 80s Taco Bell beef at home, thank you so much for sharing your hard work!

I listened to Dynasty and Unmasked, two of my favorite Kiss albums while making the recipe.

One thing I did differently, I added the beef broth to the beef and shredded the beef into a slurry with a couple of forks before adding the rest of the ingredients.

That extra step eliminated the need to mash while cooking, I learned it from Average Iowa Guy's Taco Tico beef recipe video.

[zlgreene]

I made this a couple of days ago. The taste and texture is basically identical to Taco Bell beef.

This recipe really nails it and will forever be my go to for taco beef.

[kevinputry]

I didn't have Taco Bell much when I was a kid but I definitely remember their tacos tasting way better back in the day. They should have kept the same recipe. They just don';t taste right anymore. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

[tammyhoffman]

We had a 2oz packet of spice we added water and it was thick put the ground beef in this big skillet poured the thick paste on the meat had a rake that we would stir it alot then when it was done we would strain it then put it in the steam table pans and put it in the steamer to be used. I did this for over 2 yrs I also ran the frier and did prep.

[LegionOfWeirdos]

I worked at Taco Bell in '86... After the meat was cooked, we would tilt the pan and pull all the meat to the high edge with a perforated strainer device to let the grease flow out for a while before we put the meat in the steam table.

[followthewhiterabbit]

I have been trying to replicate the unique flavor profile of a Taco Bell taco for ~20 years.... this is the only copycat recipe that has come close. You are amazing, and with Taco Bell's ridiculous pricing these days, you are basically a philanthropist, and a humanitarian that is helping to alleviate poverty and saving lives 😅

Edit: I recommend one minor change though, first brown the ground beef, with the salt, then after the meat is browned, add the broth and all of the other ingredients. and simmer and 'mash and stir" for a bit, like normal.

[nickb]

I got my list of ingrediants and going to the store later to get my stuff. I'm so ready to make these tonight. Thank you for the recipe.

[MikeInExile]

2:30 For anyone interested, the Sazon Goya appears to be the Con Azafran variety. That's what it looks like in the video anyway. You're welcome!

[jessicadaniels]

I HAD TASTE FOR TACOS AND BEING PREGNANT IS SO HARD TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU WANT TO EAT. I LOVE TACO BELLS TACOS AND I WANT TO GET AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO MY TACOS TASTING AND LIKE TACO BELL TACOS. YOU MADE THIS RECIPE LOOK SO AMAZING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS INFORMATION WITH THE WORLD AND GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS....ALL OF YOU 💞❤️‍🔥💯😇🙏🏾

[bryantmartin]

Stale taco shell? You really did go for the authentic experience... lol

[Tullminator]

3/4 beef broth
1 heaping tablespoon onion powder
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 teaspoon accent/ msg
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 packet of sazon
1/4 cup buttermilk

[harlanfreeze]

Thanks. Now, please get is the original Taco Bell pinto bean recipe. That's the real gold you ask my tongue. Lol

[yardsaleuw]

That's ten times too much cheese for today's taco bell.
5 slivers only😂😂😂😂

[jenniferquirk]

I am excited to try this I have tried a few and the one I actually used tonight is the closest I have come to taco bell and is very similar in ingredients. My kids will only eat ground beef tacos if I make them similar to taco bell lol!

[jeffmancuso]

Thanks, great video can’t wait to try. Thanks for the laughs and recipe.

[errantharpy]

I just came here, but I loved this vid! I’d love to see more in the future!

[nicola]

Wow made exactly as video last night…everyone loved it. Thank you so much