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double-layer beef tacos

(2 RATINGS)
45 Pinches 11 Photos
breezermom avatar
Gulf Breeze, FL
Updated on Jan 1, 2026

I love the double tacos with the soft and hard shells. I wanted to find a way to duplicate them at home.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

This is a delicious copycat recipe for everyone's favorite fast-food double-layer beef tacos. You get the best of both worlds - a soft flour taco and a crunchy corn taco. They're held together with a mixture of refried beans and melted cheese. Once assembled, the hard tacos are filled with taco-spiced meat, lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and avocado. But you can dress up the tacos with your favorite toppings. Since only 8 ounces of ground beef are browned, it's a great recipe to serve 2. If serving a family of four, brown an entire pound of ground beef.

— The Test Kitchen
prep time 15 Min
cook time 25 Min
method Stove Top
yield 2 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced jalapeno pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/8 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 ounces ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons tomato sauce, unsalted
  • 1/2 cup refried beans
  • 4 - 6 inch flour tortillas
  • 3 ounces Mexican blend cheese, shredded
  • 4 - hard taco shells
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced iceberg lettuce
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 - avocado, diced

How To Make double-layer beef tacos

Test Kitchen Tips
We recommend toasting the hard shell tacos according to package directions.
  • Add onion, garlic, and jalapenos and cook until soft.
    Step 1
    Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil; swirl to coat. Add onion; saute 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and jalapeno. Cook until soft.
  • Add chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper.
    Step 2
    Add chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Cook for one minute.
  • Add ground beef.
    Step 3
    Add ground beef. Cook until done and drain the grease.
  • Stir in the tomato sauce and simmer.
    Step 4
    Stir in the tomato sauce. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Spread beans evenly over 1 side of each flour tortilla; sprinkle each with cheese.
    Step 5
    Spread 2 Tbsp beans evenly over 1 side of each flour tortilla; sprinkle each with about 2 Tbsp cheese.
  • Broil 2 minutes or until cheese melts.
    Step 6
    Place tortillas on a baking sheet. Broil 2 minutes or until cheese melts.
  • Carefully wrap 1 tortilla around 1 hard taco shell.
    Step 7
    Carefully wrap 1 tortilla around 1 hard taco shell, pressing gently until cheese sticks to the shell. Repeat the procedure with the remaining tortillas and shells.
  • Spoon about 1/4 cup beef mixture into each shell.
    Step 8
    Spoon about 1/4 cup beef mixture into each shell.
  • Top each with lettuce, sour cream, tomato, and avocado.
    Step 9
    Top each with 2 Tbsp lettuce, 2 Tbsp tomato, 1 Tbsp sour cream, and a sprinkle of avocado.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

Nutrition Facts

(per serving*)
calories: 1013 kcal, carbohydrates: 68 g, cholesterol: 144 mg, fat: 64 g, fiber: 13 g, protein: 42 g, saturated fat: 25 g, sodium: 1471 mg, sugar: 10 g, unsaturated fat: 38 g
*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is estimated.

Discover More

Category: Beef
Culture: Mexican
Keyword: #avocados
Keyword: #tacos
Collection: Fiesta Time!
Ingredient: Beef
Method: Stove Top

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