How to make Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito (Copycat Recipe)

This must be said.  Taco Bell did not put beans in the chili cheese burrito!  There are so many copycat recipes out there that have beans and vinegar in the chili cheese burrito and those should not be in there.  I have no idea why anyone ever thought they should add vinegar, but that taste should not be in the chili cheese burrito.  I imagine that beans were added because someone was trying to figure out how to thicken the chili and every copycat recipe always has a comment from former Taco Bell employees telling everyone that beans do not go in the chili cheese burrito.  There is a secret ingredient that is used to thicken the chili and that is corn meal.  Believe me, this is 100 times better than the recipes with beans and vinegar and it is just like eating the chili cheese burrito from Taco Bell. 

Ingredients:

1 ½ pounds ground beef

6 cups cold water

¼ cup cornstarch

½ cup all-purpose flour

6 ounce can tomato paste

2 tbsp mild chili powder

½ tsp jalapeno powder

1 tbsp paprika

1 tbsp dried onion flakes

2 tsp ground cumin

½ tsp garlic powder

¼ tsp ground black pepper

2 ½ tsp salt

2 tbsp corn meal

1 1/2 cups Shredded cheese

6 Large burrito tortillas

Directions:

  1. Cook ground beef in a pot, Dutch oven, or cast-iron pan until browned then drain off excess grease
  2. In a 2 quart mixing bowl add water, cornstarch, flour, and corn meal. Whisk together until fully blended.
  3. Whisk in the tomato paste until fully blended into the liquid mixture.
  4. Stir into the liquid mixture the cayenne pepper, chili powder, jalapeno powder, paprika, onion flakes, cumin, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.  Mix will. 
  5. Add liquid mixture to the meat and bring to a boil.  Once the mixture hits a boil reduce to a simmer.
  6. Simmer for 45 minutes and stir from the bottom of the pot every 5 minutes to prevent the chili from sticking. 
  7. Once the chili is done simmering remove from heat.
  8. Place one large burrito tortilla on a microwave safe plate and spread 1/4 cup shredded cheese onto the tortilla keeping the cheese away from the edges of the tortilla.  (try to keep an edge of 2 inches without cheese).  Microwave for 30 seconds.
  9. Remove tortilla and melted cheese from microwave and scoop 1/3 cup chili onto the tortilla.  To roll up the burrito, fold in two opposite sides of the tortilla, then rolling from one of the other sides into a burrito.
  10. Enjoy!
Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito – Copycat Recipe (NO BEANS!)

Delicious Three Meat Texas Chili

I love chili and one of my favorites is three meat Texas chili. Texas chili is unique in that it doesn’t contain any beans. Instead you have a meat based chili that is made with bacon, steak and ground beef and a delicious mix of paprika, ancho chili, and chipotle chili. If you have never eaten Texas chili you need to give this recipe a try. I guarantee you will love it.

Ingredients:
3 cups beef broth
4 strips center cut bacon
1 pound ground beef
1 pound chuck steak
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp black pepper
1 medium onion
2 tbsp. tomato paste
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 large garlic cloves
2 tsp brown sugar
1 tbsp. cumin
1 tbsp. paprika
1 tbsp. ancho chili
1 tbsp. chipotle chili
2 bay leaves
1 cinnamon stick
1 1/2 tsp oregano

Directions:

  1. Cook ground beef in your pot, don’t break up the ground beef too small. It is nice to have larger chunks of ground beef. When the ground beef is done cooking remove it and place in a bowl.
  2. While the ground beef is cooking cut up your onion and set aside in a bowl.
  3. Cut up the steak into 1 inch pieces that would fit on your spoon when eating the chili.
  4. Cut up the bacon into small pieces.
  5. Cook the bacon in your pot and cook until browned, but not crisp. Remove cook bacon and place in bowl with ground beef.
  6. Cook onions in the pot with the bacon grease. Cook until translucent, but before removing the onions add in your chopped garlic and cook for 30 seconds with your onions. Remove the onions and garlic and add to your bowl of ground beef.
  7. Add your steak to the remaining bacon grease and sear your steak in the same pot that you cooked your onions in.
  8. Add the beef broth to your seared steak.
  9. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato puree to the pot.
  10. Add your salt, pepper, brown sugar, cumin, paprika, ancho chili, and chipotle chili to the pot.
  11. Add cinnamon stick and bay leaves. Cover and let simmer on low for 2 – 2 1/2 hours.
  12. When done cooking stir in the oregano, remove bay leaves and cinnamon stick and serve.
  13. Serve with cheddar cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, and Frito chips.
  14. Enjoy.
Delicious Three Meat Texas Chili