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My Beefy 5-Layer Burrito recipe is an easy copycat of the Taco Bell menu favorite! Learn how to make it at home with all the delicious layers you love, plus get details on calories, nutrition, and cost. While the original Taco Bell 5-Layer Burrito is undeniably tasty, the homemade version is even better. Give this copycat recipe a try and taste the difference!
⭐ Beefy 5 Layer Burrito Ingredients
What’s in a beefy 5 layer burrito? I based my Taco Bell beefy 5 layer burrito recipe on the ingredient list on the Taco Bell website:
- Seasoned beef (cook ground beef with a taco seasoning packet, or use my homemade taco seasoning recipe below)
- Refried beans
- Reduced-fat sour cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Nacho cheese sauce (I used salsa con queso from a jar)
- Flour tortillas (2 per burrito)
Get a printable recipe card below!
Why is it called a 5-layer burrito?
It’s called the Taco Bell beefy 5-layer burrito because it has five layers. The nacho cheese is layered between two tortillas for the first layer, and then the rest of the layers (beef, beans, sour cream, and cheese) are piled on top.
If you want a sturdy burrito that’s not likely to break apart on you, this one’s a good choice. It’s kind of like a quesadilla wrapped around a burrito. So tasty and satisfying!
🌯 How to Make Beefy 5 Layer Burrito
There are three main steps to this easy Taco Bell copycat recipe:
- Cook the ground beef with the seasoning
- Heat the tortillas, refried beans, and nacho cheese in the microwave
- Wrap the beefy 5 layer burritos and eat!
Here are the detailed step-by-step directions:
Brown the ground beef in a cast iron skillet with taco seasoning and a little water over medium heat. If you’re using a packet of seasoning, the packet will tell you how much water to use. (I used 2/3 cup of water.) Break the beef into crumbles with a metal spatula while it cooks. This step takes 10-15 minutes.
While the beef cooks, warm the tortillas, beans, and cheese sauce:
Tortillas: Stack on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave for 10-40 seconds on high. Alternatively, wrap them in foil and put them in an oven heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177C) for 10 minutes.
Refried beans: Empty can of refried beans into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, stirring after 60 seconds. Add a few tablespoons of water to the beans if they’re too thick to spread.
Nacho cheese: Place in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds on high. Stir and heat more as needed until warmed to your liking.
Beefy 5 Layer Burrito Layers
Here’s how to wrap the homemade beefy 5 layer burrito (and assemble the layers):
Spread a thin layer of warm nacho cheese so it’s coating the entire top of a tortilla. Top the nacho cheese with another tortilla. (Tip: Substitute guacamole for the nacho cheese to make an Incredible Hulk burrito!)
Spread the refried beans up the middle of the tortilla. Add the seasoned beef, a couple dollops of sour cream, and shredded cheese (in that order).
To wrap the burritos, simply fold left and right over to roll the ingredients tightly inside. They’re ready to eat as soon as they’ve been rolled up!
The beefy 5 layer burrito doesn’t reheat well. If you have leftovers of a Taco Bell burrito, microwave on high 30-60 seconds or warm for a few minutes in a skillet on the stovetop. However, this is not ideal.
Watch How to Make It!
Taco Bell Beefy 5 Layer Burrito Recipe Copycat
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef (454 grams)
- 1 taco seasoning packet (or use a DIY taco seasoning blend; see notes below)
- ⅔ cup water
- 16 flour tortillas (small tortillas, about 6-inch/15cm diameter)
- 1 jar nacho cheese sauce (I used salsa con queso from a jar)
- 1 can refried beans
- 1 container reduced fat sour cream
- 1 bag shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a cast iron skillet with taco seasoning and a little water over medium heat. If you’re using a packet of seasoning, the packet will tell you how much water to use. (I used 2/3 cup of water.) Break the beef into crumbles with a metal spatula while it cooks. This step takes 10-15 minutes.
- While the beef cooks, warm the tortillas, beans, and cheese sauce: Tortillas: Stack on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave for 10-40 seconds on high. Alternatively, wrap them in foil and put them in an oven heated to 350℉ (177°C) for 10 minutes. Refried beans: Empty can of refried beans into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, stirring after 60 seconds. Add a few tablespoons of water to the beans if they’re too thick to spread. Nacho cheese: Place in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds on high. Stir and heat more as needed until warmed to your liking.
- To assemble a beefy 5 layer burrito:Spread a thin layer of warm nacho cheese (I used 2 tablespoons) so it’s coating the entire top of a tortilla. Top the nacho cheese with another tortilla.Spread the refried beans (about 2-3 tablespoons) up the middle of the tortilla. Add 2-3 tablespoons seasoned beef, 2 tablespoons sour cream, and 2 tablespoons shredded cheese (in that order). To wrap the burritos, simply fold left and right over to roll the ingredients tightly inside. Enjoy!
Equipment
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). Is the beefy 5 layer burrito healthy? The Taco Bell Beefy 5 Layer Burrito counts as an ultra-processed food, and I would not call it the best option. That said, my beefy 5 layer copycat provides some nutrition from minimally processed beef, beans, and dairy foods. If you wanted a healthier entrée, here are some changes you could make:- Make homemade nacho cheese sauce instead of using Velveeta or nacho cheese from a jar (add chili powder to this keto cheese sauce).
- Use plain Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream for more protein and calcium.
- Consider using less cheese, cheese sauce, and sour cream in your burrito to make it lighter.
- Vitamin C rich options from the vegetable group are lacking here. I would add a non-starchy veggie side dish or two to round out this meal.
- If healthy for you is low calorie, make a taco salad by serving the burrito fillings over salad greens, and skip the tortillas altogether. You can also use low-fat cheese to top the burritos.
🌮 DIY Taco Seasoning
I usually use this blend instead of store-bought taco seasoning. It makes enough to season 1 lb. of ground beef. (Adapted from AllRecipes.)- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1½ teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt (cut in half if your chili powder has salt)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
➕ Beefy 5 Layer Burrito Calories
Taco Bell’s Beefy five-Layer Burrito has 490 calories per burrito (sourced from their website). The nutrition information for my beefy burrito Taco Bell copycat is listed in the recipe card.
💥 Customize the Beefy 5 Layer Burrito
If you order a beefy 5-layer burrito at Taco Bell, you can customize it. However, you pay more for the extra ingredients. In addition, you are limited to whatever ingredients they offer.
Compare that to making burritos at home. There are no rules! You can add whatever the heck you feel like adding.
Here are some ideas that I think would work well in this beefy burrito recipe. The sky is truly the limit though, don’t feel limited by what I’ve included below.
- Pico de gallo or your favorite salsa
- Pinto beans, roasted black beans, or other favorite beans
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Avocado or guacamole
- Fried potato cubes
- Seasoned ground turkey
- Smoked tofu
- Sliced steak
- Shredded chicken
- Chorizo
- Shredded lettuce
- Roasted red peppers
- Pickled jalapeno peppers
- Corn
- Seasoned rice
- Quinoa
- Shredded pepper jack cheese or other cheeses
- Ranch dressing
FAQs
Is the beefy 5 layer burrito the quesarito?
No, the Taco Bell 5 layer burrito and quesarito are not the same. Taco Bell’s quesarito contains seasoned rice and chipotle sauce, two ingredients not included in the beefy 5-layer burrito. On the flip side, the beefy 5-layer burrito contains refried beans, an ingredient not included in the quesarito.
What’s the difference between the beefy 5 layer burrito and 7 layer burrito?
The Taco Bell 7-Layer Burrito was a vegetarian burrito option that is no longer part of their menu. It contained refried beans, sour cream, tomatoes, cheese, seasoned rice, lettuce, and guacamole on a single flour tortilla. There was no beef or nacho cheese sauce like you get with the 5 layer burrito.
How much is a beefy 5 layer burrito?
The beefy 5-layer burrito price is $3.69-5.49, depending on your location. Prices are subject to change.
Does the beefy 5 layer burrito have onions?
No, the beefy 5-layer burrito doesn’t come with onions. However, you can add this popular upgrade to your burrito for only a few cents more.
👨🏾🍳 More Beef Recipes
Are you looking to “beef” up your culinary repertoire? (Ha!) If you enjoyed this beefy 5 layer burrito review and recipe, you definitely need to check these other recipes using ground beef:
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂