This Doritos Locos Tacos Copycat Recipe brings the fast food favorite into your kitchen. Make homemade Dorito-inspired cheddar cheese powder to coat taco shells filled with all the taco goodies for the best copycat recipe ever!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
You will love this Doritos Locos Taco Recipe because it brings the taste of your favorite fast food restaurants right into your home, just like my Taco Bell Mexican Pizza and my Sticky Beef, Broccoli, and Rice, and you control the ingredients. You can fry your own tortilla shells or use store-bought and the rest is easy!
Anyone can make this recipe and impress their family or friends, just like the meals from my 15 Instant Pot Mexican Recipes. It's pretty fun to make, like my Easy Taco Dumplings and my Air Fryer Mini Taco Hand Pies, and tastes just like what you get at Taco Bell! This recipe was inspired by Joshua Weissman's recipe on YouTube.
Key Ingredients to Make Doritos Locos Tacos
- Cheddar Cheese Powder - I found cheddar cheese powder online. It's pretty inexpensive and will last a long time.
- Buttermilk Powder - Buttermilk powder is the same, your best bet is to find it online.
- Chili Powder - Powdered chili powder is easy to find and you probably already have it in your pantry.
- Smoked Paprika - Smoked Paprika is also easy to find and adds a depth to the powder that you don't want to skip.
- Kosher Salt - I used kosher salt in almost all my cooking. Try to use a fine grain if you can find it.
- Monosodium glutamate (msg) - This controversial ingredient is becoming more popular to add that extra punch of flavor. You don't use much and it does make a difference, especially when you are trying to be as authentic as possible.
*See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
How To Make This Recipe
Step 1: Combine all of the nacho cheddar cheese powder ingredients in a bowl, mix to combine, and set aside.
Step 2: In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 365°F (185°C). Place a corn tortilla in a taco shaper if you are using one.
Step 3: Fry the taco shells using tongs until golden brown, about 30-45 seconds per side.
Step 4: Place the fried shell on a wire rack and dust with the nacho cheese powder on both sides. Repeat with all of the tortillas and allow the shells to cool.
Step 5: Cook the ground beef in a pan over medium-high heat. Drain the fat if desired and prepare the taco seasoning according to the packet's directions.
Step 6: Crumble the ground beef into small pieces using a meat chopper or a potato masher. This step is optional, but highly recommended.
Step 7: While the shells are cooling, prepare the toppings.
Step 8: To assemble the tacos, start with the ground beef, followed by the sour cream, tomatoes, and cheese.
Sides and Sauces to Serve with Dorito Tacos
These Dorito Tacos pack a lot of flavor, but you still need a side dish to complete the meal. Try my Instant Pot Mexican Style Beans or my Healthy Shrimp Ceviche. And, if you want to try a flavorful sauce for your tacos, check out my Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing for a contemporary twist.
Expert Tips and Tools
- For the most authentic experience, using a meat chopper is a game changer for the ground beef. You get perfect crumbled ground beef just like the fast food restaurant.
- The taco shaper is also a new favorite find of mine on Amazon. It's easy to use and shapes the tortilla shells perfectly.
- To get this finely shredded cheddar cheese, use the small holes on your cheese grater you probably hardly ever use.
- I really coated my shells thinking it would make them even better. They were good, but also messy. A little bit of the cheddar cheese powder goes a long way.
- Get creative with your toppings and don't forget the hot sauce is that's what you love.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use ground chicken, turkey, or a meat alternative instead of ground beef.
You can make a vegetarian version of these tacos by using a plant-based meat alternative instead of ground beef.
While it's best to enjoy these tacos immediately after cooking, you can prepare the individual components in advance and assemble them when ready to eat.
The best way to store these tacos is to store each component separately in an airtight container in the fridge. The taco shells can be stored in an airtight container on the counter for 2-3 days.
Yes, you can skip this ingredient. However, you don't add much and it does help get the flavor of the nacho powder as close to the real thing as possible.
If you get a chance to make these Copycat Doritos Locos Tacos, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes in your inbox.
Doritos Locos Tacos Copycat Recipe
Equipment
- small bowl
- meat chopper optional
- large pot for frying (like a Dutch oven)
- taco shapers optional
- paper towels
Ingredients
Nacho Cheese Powder
- ½ cup cheddar cheese powder
- ¼ cup buttermilk powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons fine kosher salt (or sea salt)
- ½ teaspoon Monosodium glutamate (msg)
Taco Shells
- 8 corn tortillas
- vegetable oil (for frying, amount will depend on pot)
Taco Meat
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 taco seasoning packet (or see notes for homemade recipe)
Optional Toppings
- 1 fresh tomato, finely diced
- ½ cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup finely shredded iceberg lettuce
- sour cream
- salsa or hot sauce
Instructions
Nacho Cheese Powder
- Combine all of the nacho cheddar cheese powder ingredients in a small bowl, mix to combine, and set aside.
Taco Shells
- In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 365°F (185°C). Place a corn tortilla in a taco shaper if you are using one. If you are not using a taco shaper, use tongs to shape the shell while frying.
- Fry the taco shells using tongs until golden brown, about 30-45 seconds per side. Carefully remove the tortillas from the shaper and place the fried shell on a wire rack with a paper towel underneath.
- Immediately dust with the nacho cheese powder on both sides of the shell so that the powder will stick to the hot oil. Repeat with all of the tortillas and allow the shells to cool.
Taco Meat
- Cook the ground beef in a pan over medium-high heat. Drain the fat if desired and prepare with the taco seasoning according to the packet's directions.
- Crumble the ground beef into small pieces using a meat chopper or a potato masher. This step is optional, but highly recommended.
- To assemble the tacos, start with the ground beef, followed by the sour cream, tomatoes, cheese, and any other topping you desire.
Notes
- You can use store-bought taco shells. Spray each shell with non-stick spray and warm in a 325°F oven for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle each shell with the nacho cheese powder and allow to cool.
- For the most authentic experience, using a meat chopper is a game changer for the ground beef. You get perfect crumbled ground beef just like the fast food restaurant.
- The taco shaper is also a new favorite find of mine on Amazon. It's easy to use and shapes the tortilla shells perfectly.
- I really coated my shells thinking it would make them even better. They were good, but also messy. A little bit of the cheddar cheese powder goes a long way.
- Get creative with your toppings and don't forget the hot sauce is that's what you love.
- The best way to store these tacos is to store each component separately in an airtight container in the fridge. The taco shells can be stored in an airtight container on the counter for 2-3 days.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Sue says
These look amazing and I can't wait to try! I am especially intrigued by the taco shaper - going to order one of those, pronto!
Emily says
Thanks, Sue! You are going to love the taco shaper!