Tacos Alternative to Chalupa

Written By Timothy Te

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What is a Taco?

There's no doubt about it. Tacos are a big deal in Texas. Every town has its own taqueria, and each has its unique take on the classic alternative to chalupa dish. So whether you like your tacos with beef (how long does beef last?), chicken, or pork, there's sure to be a taqueria in Texas with just what you're looking for.

 A taco is a traditional Mexican dish composed of a corn or wheat tortilla filled with meat, beans, cheese, and other ingredients. Tacos are typically served with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole. Additionally, it can be an alternative to chalupas.

Suppose you're looking for a traditional Tex-Mex taco. In that case, you'll want to head to a taqueria that specializes in this style of cuisine. Many of these taquerias use freshly made corn tortillas (how long do corn tortillas last?) and fill them with meat that has been slow-cooked in a flavorful sauce. The tacos are topped with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a healthy dose of cheddar cheese.

The Tastiest Texas Tacos

Get your taco fix without breaking the bank. Discover Texas local food shops and farmers' markets where you can buy tacos at great prices.

Popular Types of Tortillas for Tacos

Corn Tortilla

Tortillas made from corn and maize can be traced to the time of the Aztecs centuries ago. This tortilla can be considered the original flatbread.

Flour Tortilla

Flour (how long does flour last?) tortilla, also known as wheat tortilla, is made from finely ground wheat flour. This type of tortilla is great for tacos because of its sturdy texture that allows for heavy ingredients like meat and veggies.

Nopal Tortilla

Nopal Tortilla, also known as Nopales, is popular in Mexico. It's made from a cactus found in Nopales, Mexico, hence the name. 

Spanish Tortillas

Spanish tortillas are far from the traditional taco shells that Mexicans and Americans are accustomed to. Instead, potatoes and eggs are the main ingredients used to make this taco. It has a composition like that of an omelet.

Beetroot Tortillas

The beetroot tortilla is a unique type of taco shell because of its reddish color. It's a healthy alternative compared to the other tacos.

Texas and tacos are a love story that goes way back. The Lone Star State has countless variations on the humble taco. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Texas Tacos, and TexasRealFood will tell you all about them.

Ultimate Guide to Texas Taco Types

Copycat Taco Bell Taco Recipe

Whether we like to admit it or not, the Taco Bell menu has had a big influence on Taco culture not only in Texas, but in the United States, and the rest of the world as well! Taco bell introduced the concept of Mexican food (What wine goes well with Mexican food?) to the wider masses (even though in Texas we already have a wealth of Taco joints) and bringing nationwide, if not worldwide, spotlight on the humble hard shell taco! Now, as an homage, here’s a copycat Taco Bell recipe that’s healthy and easy to make at home!

Tacos of Texas: A Gateway to Understanding Latino Culture in Texas

  • Explore "Tacos of Texas," a recommended resource providing a gateway to understanding the rich tapestry of Latino culture through the lens of this iconic Texan dish.

Copycat Taco Bell Taco Recipe Ingredients:

Beef Filling

Shells and Toppings

  • 12 taco shells

  • 1/2 head iceberg lettuce shredded

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

  • 2 Roma tomatoes diced

  • Sour cream optional

Copycat Taco Bell Taco Recipe Procedure:

Beef Filling:

  1. Combine all the ingredients except the meat, and mix well.

  2. Cook the ground beef into a large nonstick skillet and brown, stirring well.

  3. Remove from the heat. Transfer the meat into a strainer in the sink. Then rinse with hot water to drain off the grease from the beef.

  4. Return the beef to the pan.

  5. Stir in the spice mix and 3/4 to 1 cup of water.

  6. Cook on medium-low heat for 20 minutes until most of the moisture has cooked away. Remove from heat before the meat is completely dry.

Tacos

  1. Refresh the taco shells in the oven at 350°F for 7 to 10 minutes.

  2. To assemble the hard shell tacos, spoon a few tablespoons of the meat into each hard taco shell.

  3. If desired, top with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream. Serve immediately.

Make your hard shell taco night even better with these recipes. From chorizo to double-layer beef tacos (What wine goes well with beef tacos?), here are the simple and delicious recipes you need for your next cook-off.

Traditional Mexican Chalupas Poblanas

What is a Chalupa?

Chalupa comes from the Spanish word for small boat, which refers to the challupa shell's concave shape. The shell shape is formed to resemble the hulls of the ships. 

An authentic chalupa or chalupa supreme is Mexican street food, or antojitos, meaning "a little snack." They typically consist of a fried or grilled boat-shaped corn shell made from a classic masa harina dough. Chslupas are filled with various meats, cheeses, and vegetables. They can be served as a main dish or as an appetizer.

Copycat Taco Bell Chalupa Recipe

Taco Bell Chaloupa shell is an Americanized chalupa alternative on the traditional Mexican dish. The Taco Bell alternative to Cahalupa is fried, but that's where the similarities to this end. 

Essential Taco Terms You Should Know

Copycat Taco Bell Chalupa Definition and Ingredients :

Meat filling:

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 1 small onion, chopped

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour

  • 3 teaspoons chili powder

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon pepper

  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  • ½ teaspoon paprika

  • ½ teaspoon cumin

  • 1½ Tablespoon vegetable oil (how long does vegetable oil last?)

Best Chalupas:

  • 3 cups masa harina

  • 1½ Tablespoon baking powder (how long does baking powder last?)

  • ¾ teaspoon salt

  • 1½ Tablespoon vegetable oil plus more for frying

  • 1½ cup water

Optional toppings or fillings:

Copycat Taco Bell Chalupa Procedure :

Filling:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef with onion, flour, chili powder, salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, and garlic.

  2. Heat oil in a large skillet or dutch oven to medium-high heat. Add in the beef mixture. Cook the beef mixture, stirring and breaking up chunks often. Cook until no pink is visible. Cover the pan, turn off the heat but keep this warm for later.

Dough:

  1. Sift the dry ingredients together: masa harina, baking powder, and salt. Set aside ½ cup flour for kneading.

  2. Whisk the oil into the flour mixture.

  3. Gradually add water. Add the other ½ cup of flour. Gently knead the masa dough with your hands. If the mixture is too dry, add water a little at a time. If the masa dough is too wet, dust with flour a little at a time. Do not over knead the dough, as this will make the chalpua shell tough.

Shape the dough:

  1. Dust with flour and shape the dough into a long cylinder.

  2. Cut it into 8 equal parts.

  3. Using a rolling pin, flatten each of the 8 pieces into a round circle, about 6 inches across. Make sure to dust with flour to avoid sticking.

Cook the cahlupa:

  1. Heat oil, making sure it’s 1-2 inches deep to medium heat.

  2. Gently place one masa dough at a time into the hot oil.

  3. As it fries, the disk will start to puff up. Use tongs to flip it over.

  4. Once flipped, use the tongs to pull one side of the disk up over the other to fold it into a shell shape.

  5. Allow this to cook until the bottom is lightly golden, then flip and allow the other side to become golden brown as well.

  6. As each chalupa shell is cooked, remove it to a plate lined with a paper towel to remove excess oil from the chalupa shells.

  7. Now it’s time to build chalupas! Fill the chalupa shells with the meat mixture and desired taco fillings to give it a distinct flavor.

Fried Food: A Culinary Magic Trick

How is it that some things just taste better when they're fried? It's a culinary magic trick, really. When food is fried, the outermost layer of the food gets crispy while the inside remains nice and moist. This contrast in textures makes fried food like taco and calupa so delicious.

What Makes a Perfect Texas Taco

  • Uncover the secrets of perfection as you explore the elements that make a taco truly Texan, from the choice of ingredients to the art of preparation.

Fried foods (What wine goes well with fried foods?) have a terrible reputation. They're often considered unhealthy, greasy, and not worth the calories. But what if I told you that fried foods can actually be healthy?

Native American fry bread, also known as fried flatbread, is a perfect example. When made with whole grain flour and cooked in heart-healthy oil, it can be a nutritious and delicious base for a meal. Top it with seasoned beef and various toppings, such as fresh vegetables and salsa, for a satisfying and wholesome dish. In fact, many cultures have their own versions of fried bread or other dishes that feature fried foods in a healthy way

It's true! When done correctly, frying can be a healthy cooking method. In fact, many cultures have been frying food for centuries.

Of course, there are some drawbacks to frying food. For one, it can be a bit messy. And secondly, fried foods tend to be high in fat and calories. Furthermore, not all fried foods are created equal. Some are healthier than others, and some should be avoided altogether. But if you're looking for a treat now and then, fried foods are definitely worth the splurge.

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  • Add excitement to your kitchen with a collection of 6 tantalizing taco recipes, each a flavorful creation that captures the essence of Texan culinary innovation.

What is the difference between a taco and a chalupa?

The main difference between tacos and chalupas is their shell. Traditional tacos are soft-shelled with corn tortillas. In America, the tacos have crunchy folded shells. 

On the other hand, chalupas are fried, rigid, and boat-shaped. Chalupa shell are chewy and crunchy from frying.

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Which is better, chalupa vs taco?

There is indeed no hard and fast rule regarding enjoying food. Whether you like it fried, soft, or crunchy is all a matter of preference.

Are chalupas vegan?

Chalupa shells are typically made of water, masa harina, baking powder, and salt - all of which are vegan. However, it is essential to note that some but not all chalupa shells are fried in lard, which shouldn't be labeled vegan.

So there you have it - the great taco/chalupa debate. Both tacos and chalupas are delicious, but which one is better? It's up to you to decide! If you want a classic taco experience, go for the tacos. The best chalupas are the way to go if you want something a little different (and maybe a little more filling). And don't forget about the delicious taco and chalupa alternative on these classics - there's something for everyone! 

Texas Taco Hotspots Worth the Adventure

Whether you make them at home or head out to your favorite Mexican restaurant, we hope you enjoy these recipes.

If you're living in Texas, then tacos are a way of life. So make sure not to confuse your terms and learn some taco lingo here!

If you're a taco lover, try this incredible chorizo tacos recipe that will blow your mind!

What is Tex Mex? Six differences between TexMex and Traditional Mexican Food. Know more about it here.

 
Timothy Te
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