Homemade Jack in the Box Tacos
Homemade Jack in the Box Tacos
Ingredients
For the Taco Meat Filling
- 3 pounds ground beef
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon minced onion
- 1 tablespoon garlic salt
- 2 taco seasoning packs
- 1/2 cup water, or as directed on seasoning pack
- 1 can refried beans, 16 ounce
For Assembly and Frying
- 24 large yellow corn tortillas
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil, for heating tortillas
- 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying, or as needed
For Toppings
- 4 cups shredded lettuce
- 12 slices deluxe American cheese
- 1/2 cup Las Palmas hot sauce, as needed
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing, as needed
Instructions
- 1
In a large pan or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
⏱️ 8 min
- 2
Once the ground beef is fully cooked and no pink remains, drain off any excess fat. Return the beef to the pan.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Season the cooked ground beef with paprika, chili powder, minced onion, and garlic salt. Stir well to combine.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Add the 2 taco seasoning packs and 1/2 cup of water (or the amount specified on your seasoning pack) to the seasoned ground beef. Bring to a simmer.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Using a potato masher, vigorously mash the meat mixture until it is very fine and has a pasty consistency. This is key to the Jack in the Box texture.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Stir in the 16-ounce can of refried beans. Continue mashing and stirring until the beans are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth and uniform.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Heat 1/4 cup of vegetable oil in a skillet or on a griddle over medium heat. Lightly heat each corn tortilla for about 15-20 seconds per side until pliable. Do not make them crispy. Transfer heated tortillas to a plate and cover with a clean towel to keep them warm and soft.
⏱️ 10 min
- 8
To assemble the tacos, take one warmed corn tortilla and spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the meat and bean mixture onto one half of the tortilla. Fold the tortilla in half to create a taco shape.
⏱️ 5 min
- 9
Place the assembled, uncooked tacos on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat until all the filling and tortillas are used. You may need multiple baking sheets.
⏱️ 5 min
- 10
Transfer the baking sheets with the tacos to the freezer and freeze overnight, or for at least 8 hours, until solid.
⏱️ 480 min
- 11
When ready to cook, heat about 4 cups of vegetable oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven to 375°F. Alternatively, preheat an air fryer to 375°F.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 12
Carefully place 2-3 frozen tacos into the hot oil (do not overcrowd the pot). Fry for 3-5 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown and crispy. If air frying, cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 375
- 13
Remove fried tacos from the oil and place them on a wire rack set over paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with remaining tacos.
⏱️ 5 min
- 14
While the tacos are still hot, carefully open each taco and insert one slice of deluxe American cheese. The heat from the taco will melt the cheese slightly.
⏱️ 2 min
- 15
Top the cheese with a generous amount of shredded lettuce, a drizzle of Las Palmas hot sauce, and a drizzle of ranch dressing.
⏱️ 2 min
- 16
Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Jack in the Box Tacos!
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Homemade Jack in the Box Tacos
For the Taco Meat Filling
- 3 pounds ground beef
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon minced onion
- 1 tablespoon garlic salt
- 2 taco seasoning packs
- 1/2 cup water, or as directed on seasoning pack
- 1 can refried beans, 16 ounce
For Assembly and Frying
- 24 large yellow corn tortillas
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil, for heating tortillas
- 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying, or as needed
For Toppings
- 4 cups shredded lettuce
- 12 slices deluxe American cheese
- 1/2 cup Las Palmas hot sauce, as needed
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing, as needed
Instructions
- 1
In a large pan or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
⏱️ 8 min - 2
Once the ground beef is fully cooked and no pink remains, drain off any excess fat. Return the beef to the pan.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Season the cooked ground beef with paprika, chili powder, minced onion, and garlic salt. Stir well to combine.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Add the 2 taco seasoning packs and 1/2 cup of water (or the amount specified on your seasoning pack) to the seasoned ground beef. Bring to a simmer.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Using a potato masher, vigorously mash the meat mixture until it is very fine and has a pasty consistency. This is key to the Jack in the Box texture.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Stir in the 16-ounce can of refried beans. Continue mashing and stirring until the beans are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth and uniform.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Heat 1/4 cup of vegetable oil in a skillet or on a griddle over medium heat. Lightly heat each corn tortilla for about 15-20 seconds per side until pliable. Do not make them crispy. Transfer heated tortillas to a plate and cover with a clean towel to keep them warm and soft.
⏱️ 10 min - 8
To assemble the tacos, take one warmed corn tortilla and spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the meat and bean mixture onto one half of the tortilla. Fold the tortilla in half to create a taco shape.
⏱️ 5 min - 9
Place the assembled, uncooked tacos on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat until all the filling and tortillas are used. You may need multiple baking sheets.
⏱️ 5 min - 10
Transfer the baking sheets with the tacos to the freezer and freeze overnight, or for at least 8 hours, until solid.
⏱️ 480 min - 11
When ready to cook, heat about 4 cups of vegetable oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven to 375°F. Alternatively, preheat an air fryer to 375°F.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 12
Carefully place 2-3 frozen tacos into the hot oil (do not overcrowd the pot). Fry for 3-5 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown and crispy. If air frying, cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 375 - 13
Remove fried tacos from the oil and place them on a wire rack set over paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with remaining tacos.
⏱️ 5 min - 14
While the tacos are still hot, carefully open each taco and insert one slice of deluxe American cheese. The heat from the taco will melt the cheese slightly.
⏱️ 2 min - 15
Top the cheese with a generous amount of shredded lettuce, a drizzle of Las Palmas hot sauce, and a drizzle of ranch dressing.
⏱️ 2 min - 16
Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Jack in the Box Tacos!
⏱️ 1 min