Taco Bell Enchirito fans, this homemade version is about to make your whole week. We're talking soft flour tortillas stuffed with savory seasoned ground beef and creamy refried beans, smothered in tangy red hot sauce, and finished with a thick, bubbly layer of melted cheddar cheese. I still remember biting into one as a kid, sitting in the back seat of my grandma's car, the smell of warm tortilla and hot sauce hitting me before I even unwrapped the foil. That was my first real taste of comfort food.
The best part about making it at home is that it's on the table in just 25 minutes with simple pantry ingredients, which makes it a perfect pick for easy weeknight dinner recipes. You're going to love having this one in your rotation.
If you love bold, crowd-pleasing flavors at a cookout, you might also enjoy our Healthy Smothered Cube Steak Recipe for another hearty, satisfying plate full of big savory flavor. And if you want something warming on a weeknight, our Dorito Taco Salad Recipe never misses.
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Taco Bell Enchirito Ingredients
Here's what you need, and why each ingredient matters.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
ground beef: The heart of the filling. An 80/20 blend stays juicy and flavorful without getting greasy. Brown it well for the best texture and color.
finely diced onion: Adds quiet savory depth to the beef without overpowering it. Dice it small so it cooks down completely and blends right into the meat.
taco seasoning: Does all the heavy lifting on flavor. A store-bought packet works perfectly, or use your own blend if you have one you love.
beef broth (or water): A small splash that keeps the meat moist and helps the seasoning coat every bit of beef. Plain water is a perfectly fine substitute.
can refried beans: Thick, creamy, and essential for that classic enchirito feel. Warming them before spreading makes them much easier to work with.
burrito-sized flour tortillas: Big enough to hold the filling without tearing. Softening them in the microwave first is the key to clean, easy folding.
Taco Bell hot sauce (or red enchilada sauce): This is what makes it taste like the real thing. Taco Bell brand sauce is available at most grocery stores, and a good red enchilada sauce is an excellent substitute.
shredded cheddar cheese: Melty, golden, and non-negotiable. Sharp cheddar brings the most flavor, though mild or a Mexican blend works great too.
How to Make Taco Bell Enchirito at Home
Cook the beef: In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, combine the ground beef, finely diced onion, taco seasoning, and beef broth. Break the meat apart as it cooks, stirring regularly, until no pink remains and the whole mixture is fragrant and well-seasoned. Set the pan aside off the heat.
Warm the beans: Spoon the refried beans into a microwave-safe bowl and heat for about 90 seconds, stirring once halfway through. They should be smooth and easy to spread when you're ready to use them.
Soften the tortillas: Stack the four tortillas together, wrap them in a damp paper towel, and microwave for 30 seconds. This keeps them pliable and fold-ready. Cold tortillas crack, so don't skip this step.
Assemble: Lay one softened tortilla flat. Spread one-quarter of the warm refried beans in a thick line down the center, leaving a little room at each end. Add one-quarter of the seasoned beef on top. Fold in both sides of the tortilla, then roll up snugly from the bottom into a tight burrito. Repeat with the remaining three.
Microwave method: Place the rolled burritos seam-side down in a microwave-safe dish. Heat for 1 minute to warm through. Spoon the hot sauce generously over each one and top with shredded cheddar. Microwave for 1 more minute until the cheese is fully melted.
Oven method: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Arrange the burritos seam-side down in an oven-safe baking dish. Pour the hot sauce over the top and sprinkle on all the cheddar. Bake for 7 minutes until the cheese is bubbling. For crispier tops, broil for 30 seconds at the end and watch it closely.
Easy Substitutions
- Ground turkey or chicken works in place of beef. The Taco Bell Enchirito seasoning carries the flavor just the same.
- Pepper jack or Monterey Jack melt beautifully if you want a different cheese profile.
- Gluten-free tortillas are a simple swap, just warm them a bit longer so they stay flexible.
- Vegetarian version: double the refried beans or use seasoned black beans instead of beef.
- More heat: stir canned green chiles into the beef mixture or add extra hot sauce on top before serving.
Equipment For Taco Bell Enchirito
- Medium skillet
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Damp paper towel
- Oven-safe baking dish (for the oven method)
Storage and Reheating
Let the Taco Bell Enchirito cool completely before storing. Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, or in a 350-degree oven for about 10 minutes until hot all the way through.
To freeze, roll the burritos before adding any sauce or cheese. Wrap each one in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, top with hot sauce and cheese, and reheat in a 375-degree oven for about 15 minutes.
What to Serve Alongside
- Mexican rice or cilantro lime rice soaks up the extra sauce and rounds out the meal.
- A cool scoop of sour cream on the side cuts through the heat and adds great contrast.
- Fresh guacamole or sliced avocado brings a bright, creamy element that balances the rich beef filling.
For a full Tex-Mex dinner spread, pair these Taco Bell Enchirito with our Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe. Light, fresh, and a perfect complement to something this hearty.
Expert Tips
Meal prep tip: make the beef mixture up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate. When you're ready to eat, warm it up and assemble. Dinner in about 10 minutes.
Always warm your tortillas first. A cold tortilla will crack the moment you try to fold it and you'll lose the filling. Warm, pliable tortillas make clean, tight burritos every time.
Spread beans first, then beef on top. This layering keeps the filling in place and makes rolling much easier.
Be generous with the hot sauce. It soaks into the burrito as it heats and that's where most of the flavor lives. Don't be shy.
Place burritos seam-side down in the baking dish so they stay closed while the cheese melts on top.
The 30-second broil at the end of the oven method is optional, but it gives you those little golden cheese spots that make it look and taste like it came from a real kitchen.
The Enchirito: A Taco Bell Classic Worth Bringing Back
The Taco Bell Enchirito has been quietly breaking hearts since Taco Bell Enchirito pulled it from the menu in 2013. It first showed up in the early 1970s as a mashup of an enchilada and a burrito, with seasoned beef, refried beans, red sauce, and a generous layer of melted cheese. Fans never really got over losing it. This copycat recipe brings all of that back: properly seasoned beef, smooth refried beans, bold red sauce poured over the top, and real cheddar that melts down into every crevice. Oven or microwave, both methods work beautifully, and both taste like the real thing.
FAQ
Can you still get enchiritos at Taco Bell?
Not on the regular menu. Taco Bell Enchirito removed it in 2013 as part of a menu simplification. It has appeared as a limited-time item at select locations and through the app, but it's not something you can count on ordering anymore. Making it at home is the most reliable way to get your fix, and this version is just as good as the one you remember.
What is Taco Bell bringing back in 2025?
Taco Bell Enchirito has been leaning into nostalgia, reviving favorites like the Mexican Pizza and the Beefy Crunch Burrito to huge fan response. There's been ongoing chatter about the Taco Bell Enchirito making a return, but no official announcement has come through yet. Keep an eye on the Taco Bell app for limited-time releases. In the meantime, this recipe is always ready when you are.
Why did Taco Bell stop selling the Enchirito?
Taco Bell Enchirito cited menu simplification as the reason. A smaller, focused menu means faster service times, which matters a lot in fast food. The Enchirito had a deeply loyal fan base though, which is exactly why homemade Taco Bell Enchirito recipes are still searched and shared all these years after it disappeared from the menu.
What is the secret menu Enchirito at Taco Bell?
Some creative fans have managed to get close to the original by ordering a beef and bean burrito and asking for red sauce and shredded cheese on top, much like an enchilada. Results depend on the location and the team working that day, so it doesn't always land perfectly. Making this Taco Bell Enchirito at home means you know exactly what you're getting every single time.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Taco Bell Enchirito
Taco Bell Enchirito
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option
- ¼ cup finely diced onion adds flavor to the meat mixture
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning for a bold taco flavor
- ¼ cup beef broth or water for a lighter option
- 1 16 oz can refried beans (adds a creamy texture)
- 4 burrito-sized flour tortillas for wrapping the filling
- 1 cup Taco Bell hot sauce or use red enchilada sauce for a slightly different flavor
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese for a melty, cheesy topping
Instructions
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In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, diced onion, taco seasoning, and beef broth, breaking the meat into small pieces as it cooks, until the beef is no longer pink. Set aside.
- Heat the refried beans in the microwave or on the stove until hot.
- Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds to warm them up.
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Spread ¼ of the warmed refried beans down the middle of each tortilla. Then, top with ¼ of the cooked beef mixture. Fold the sides of the tortilla in, then roll up the tortilla into a burrito. Repeat for the remaining tortillas.
- For microwave: Heat the assembled burritos in the microwave for 1 minute to ensure they are hot. Top each burrito with hot sauce and shredded cheese. You can serve them now or microwave for an additional minute to melt the cheese.
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For oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the assembled burritos in an oven-safe dish. Top each burrito with hot sauce and shredded cheese. Bake for 7 minutes or until the cheese is melted. For extra browning, turn on the broiler for about 30 seconds.
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