Jack in the Box Taco Recipe!
This Jack in the Box Taco Recipe will be your go to taco recipe. So good!
This recipe first published in 2013 and has now finally been updated 10 years later!
My late husband loved Jack in the Box tacos, but sadly they closed all of their Illinois locations long ago.
These tacos ARE THE REAL DEAL! Not sure I would know if the difference and part of me wants to sell them out of my house on the weekends!
How do you make Jack in the Box taco meat?
There are two things you need to do for the Jack in the Box taco meat. First, brown the beef. Add remaining ingredients and boil for 5 minutes. Let cool.
Second, puree the beef mixture. I know it seems weird, but it mimics the beef found in Jack in the Box tacos.
Can you air fry Jack in the Box tacos?
Yep! We deep fried, air fried and pan fried. Obviously the deep fried version is the best, but the air fried version was almost as tasty. We have cooking instructions in the notes section of the recipe card.
Also note: we tried adding the American cheese to the tacos before cooking, and that didn’t work with any cooking method.
Ingredients you’ll need to make Jack in the Box Tacos:
- ground beef (I used 85% lean)
- seasonings mentioned in the recipe card (most of these are pantry staples)
- corn tortillas – while I prefer El Milagro corn tortillas, these are only readily available in the Chicago area. For this recipe, I used Mission Extra Thin Corn Tortillas which can be found nationwide.
Equipment needed to make Jack in the Box Tacos:
- deep fryer
- air fryer
- skillet
We decided to try all three methods, because not everyone has a deep fryer or an air fryer. Hopefully everyone has a stove and a skillet!
 |
 |
 |
 |
This is what happened when we tried adding the cheese to the tacos before cooking. No matter which method we chose, the result was awful, so we suggest adding the cheese to the hot taco as soon as it is done cooking.
The deep fried version is by far the preferred method. I thought the pan fried version came in second, and air fried version last. My daughter Hannah chose: deep fryer, air fryer and pan fried last.
Jack in the Box Tacos
These taste like the real deal Jack in the Box Tacos! My husband found a copycat recipe in 2013 the first time we made them, but the link to our inspiration is no longer available in 2023. I adapted the beef ingredients too from the original recipe, and while it may seem weird to grind up the beef in a food processor, it totally makes these tacos.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup cold water
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon masa corn flour
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon minced onion
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 20 corn tortillas
Instructions
- Brown ground beef. Drain any excess fat.
- Add remaining ingredients to a large stock pot and bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes.
- Place beef mixture in a food processor and pulse the beef mixture. Don't worry, it will look like paste!
- Making 5 tacos at a time, microwave the corn tortillas for 30 seconds, or until pliable.
- Quickly add 3 tablespoons beef paste to half of each tortilla, fold over in half, set on a baking sheet, and repeat until all tacos are filled.
- Place baking sheet in freezer for 30 minutes. Store tortillas in a ziplock bag and cook from frozen.
- Don't skip the freezing on the baking sheet step - it will ensure that the tacos won't stick together and you can cook however many you want.
- See notes with different cooking instructions.
- Optional but delicious: add 1/2 slice of American cheese, sliced lettuce and taco sauce. This addition isn't included in the WW points or nutrition, so adjust accordingly.
Notes
TO DEEP FRY: Heat deep fryer to 350. Deep fry from frozen for 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
TO AIR FRY: Air fry at 360 for 7-9 minutes, or until desired doneness. Spray the frozen tacos with avocado oil spray prior to cooking.
TO PAN FRY: Heat a skillet over medium heat with avocado oil spray. Cook for 5 minutes a side from frozen.
If you are on the WW plan, click here for the WW link. As of 2023, these tacos are 3 WW points each. For the deep fry method, I add 1 more point for the oil.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 141Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 218mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 8g
For those of you who made this recipe based on the photos I published in 2013 – I appreciate your support!
My memory is that I placed that dinner plate on top of our microwave near the under the counter mounted fluorescent light – ha!
Are you looking for side dishes for these tacos?
Try:
Ancho Chile Salsa
Black Bean Dip
Let us know if you give these tacos a try. Be sure to tag us on Instagram and TikTok! @mybizzykitchen on IG and @mybizzykitchen_ on TikTok
Where do find corn Taco shells?
I live in the Chicagoland area and they are available everywhere – El Milagro is the brand I use. If you can’t find those, Mission Extra Thin Corn Tortillas work great too. You should find the tortillas in the Mexican aisle at the grocery store.
I did not know they had eggrolls. Any recipes for JITB eggrolls?
I’ve not made JITB eggrolls, but I just posted a vegan egg roll that is amazing!
https://mybizzykitchen.com/2024/07/11/vegan-egg-rolls/
I make similar tacos, my mom always called them “greasy tacos”
I season the ground beef, make a patty onto half of the corn tortilla, I have about a half inch of oil in a cast iron skillet, when the oil is hot lay the plain side of the tortilla in the grease until it’s soft the fold the meat side over on it, let them cook and flip to let the other side cook, drain on paper towels when done, add shredded cheese while hot, then to mine, I add tomatoes, lettuce, taco sauce and eat up!! They are delicious!!
Yes! Greasy tacos! So good.
Wow. THESE ARER TRASH. I am so annoyed I spent any time on these. Do not make these.
Hey! So sorry you didn’t like them. I’ve had dozens of people make them over and over.
Please tell me how much meat this recipe is for.
It makes 20 tacos – hope that answers your question?
These sound good. I have a recipe for Jack in the Box tacos. You mix the cooked meat with refried beans and the key ingredient Pio Pico sauce then filling and frying them. Add the American cheese after. They taste exactly like Jacks! We still have Jack in the box out here in the west.
I’ve not heard of that sauce – I’ll have to check it out. Jack in the Box is coming back to Chicagoland after being gone for 40 years – can’t wait!
I’m a retired 74 year old man living down here in Texas. I love to spend my time cooking and baking.
My wife, son and I all love Jack In The Box tacos. Can’t wait to try your recipe.
I was wondering if it would work pan frying the taco in about a quarter inch of oil; flipping them over to crisp the other side. That might work too.
Anyway, thank you for sharing this recipe!
Hey Paul! You can absolutely shallow fry these tacos. Let me know what you think!
Hi again, My son and I made your Copycat “Jack In The Box” taco recipe last night. My wife, son and I all agreed that your version was even BETTER than that of this fast food chain! My son even commented that he couldn’t think of one thing that would make this recipe better.
We only made two minor tweaks in its preparation. We pulsed the meat in the food processor to the point that it still had a little texture left to it. The frozen meat/taco shell combo was then pan fried in a shallow layer of oil. This made the sides of the taco shell crispy while leaving the bottom of the shell less so. As a result, the taco shell was less likely to break in half when we added the American cheese and shredded lettuce toppings.
All in all, we thought your recipe was delicious. This one is a “keeper” for us. Thank you once again for sharing.
they taste pretty good. I’ve been craving Jack-in-the-Box tacos and we don’t have one near us. I don’t know if I missed this but I’m a little confused as to what you do with the sauce that you bring to a boil in a pan do you add your meat back to that or do you just add it on separately?
Hey! Once you brown the beef in the stock pot, drain any excess fat if you like, then add remaining ingredients and boil for 5 additional minutes. That’s the meat that you then add to the food processor to make a paste. Check out our youtube video if you like https://youtu.be/iROTU73dnxY
Just for everyone’s knowledge the Jack in the box tacos are made with vegetarian “meat”. It is a soy protein. I know🤯 that was me when I first found out.
Hey! Actually there is beef in them! According to their website: Beef, Water, Textured Vegetable Protein (Soy Flour, Caramel Color), Defatted Soy Grits, Seasoning [Chili Pepper, Corn Maltodextrin, Spices, Bleached Enriched Wheat Flour (Contains Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, and Folic Acid), Salt, Garlic Powder are the ingredients.
I have a vegan friend who thought they used vegetable protein ONLY and ate them for a year before he realized he’d been eating meat all that time – so crazy!
There is one in Litchfield Illinois we had some they were so good I can’t wait to make these, Thank you
Lucky! Maybe I’ll have to road trip down there!
Hi,
I saved this email because when I had time I would attempt to make them.
We all love the JACK TACOS, especially after a cocktail or two, and we have the munchies.
I’ll see how it goes!
Let me know! 😁
Biz,
Just lucked on to this site. I know what you are going through. Lost my husband long ago but cared for my mother. Now it is just me. I hate to cook for one,however, found saving leftovers in one serving containers in freezer
So sorry for your losses. It’s sometimes hard to cook for one. Hugs.
I love Jack in the Box taco’s so yes I will be making them, I am so excited. Someone made the comment to use an AirFryer, I will try that. This year my brother wanted to take me out for dinner, all I wanted was Jack in the Box taco’s and their Egg Rolls – Yum. Thanks for taking the time to figure this out.
use an air fryer for these I will say there was no way to print this recipe you should have a place on here to do that I never could find it
Hi! Sorry, I am in the process of updating my blog – that post is from a long time ago and hasn’t been updated yet – thanks for the info – and at the time I wrote this, air fryers weren’t available.
Just made these – they were delicious! I made them in the oven instead (400 for about 12 mins, brushed with oil). I also mixed in some refried beans to the meat mixture (after pureeing it) cause I felt like it 🙂 These are definitely going in the meal rotation. THANK YOU for posting this! This is the only thing I would ever order from JITB – I haven’t had them in years & they taste just like the real thing!
What a great idea to add beans to the filling! In High School we used to cross the street to a fast food place where we would get bean tacos! I’m going to give your suggestion a try. Thanks.
Yeah! Let me know what you think. 😁
I’m going to try that soup! I’d kill for 57 degrees–it’s 5 here! Brr.
Those tacos look so good! You are so about to convince me to get a fryer. Dang it! Like I need one more appliance! lol. What did you add to your lasagna soup, spinach?
Taco’s look very good but don’t think I’ll make it myself. We hardly eat taco’s although seeing this gives me an idea to put them on the menu someday soon again.
Today the temperature is so high, it has hardly ever been this high on January 30, and to think last week this day our butts were freezing off. Weird!
So glad the tacos were a success!!!
Those tacos look oh so delicious, but no, probably will not make them here. I like Chobani chocolate chip the best. Today I bought plain Chobani, going to start using that instead of using sour cream.
Louise – here is a Chobani cheat sheet to show you how to replace other ingredients like mayo, sour cream, etc.
https://loveit.com/source/chobani.com
p.s. I’ll have a squirrel VIDEO in tomorrows post!
Thanks Biz for the link, I checked it out, will copy it down. Something good to know.
I wont even say what that beef mixture looks like. Glad you enjoyed them though : ). I make ground turkey tacos( I use ground breast meat), that I cook with a red onion( I know, I probably lost you right there), taco seasoning mix and pace picante. I shallow fry up the corn tortillas into taco shells and serve with shredded lettuce and cheese. Thankfully, my partner loves those and doesnt ask me to make ground beef( even though she eats beef).
Do you use ground turkey breast? Just wondering – ground chicken and turkey kind of gives me the creeps. And it’s okay that you love onions, I won’t hold it against you! 😀
Yes, ground turkey breast( Jenny O). The dark meat turkey is too strong for me. I do use it when I make turkey meatballs( half dark, half white). I have an awesome turkey meatball recipe that came from an old, old issue of cooking light. The meatballs have zucchini, parmesean, green onion, carrot and parsley in them. Everything is chopped in the food processor so you cant even see the veggies, but it makes the balls so moist.
Btw, my BS was 89 the other morning. I LOVE THE PUMP.
I can’t make them at this time b/c my fryer is broke (remember I went to make your onion rings 🙂 ) We don’t have Jack in the Box so I wouldn’t know what I was comparing it to either! Now, if you can duplicate the chicken baja chalupa from Taco Bell, I’ll be your new BFF 😀
Those tacos look amazing – yum! 🙂
Even though we have a JITB less than a mile from us (sorry Tony!) I really want to try and make these myself. I am pinning this to Tom’s board 🙂
Less than a mile? Yikes, I would live there!
Tony, just so you know, Rhonda’s husband won’t eat 75% of the delicious eats she makes! I am not alone!
We have to drive by it going to and from work every day. And there are 2 huge signs advertising 3 for $1 tacos on Saturday and Sunday. It is torture for my husband 🙂
And yes, Tom is picky and literally has run from the kitchen when I make certain things.
Wow those tacos look amazing! I have never cared for deep fried tacos.I won’t be trying them either – no fryer here and we try not to eat deep fat fried foods. The only exception is when we go back to NE and have some deep fried onion chips but that only happens once a year and sometimes I pay for it hours later. My body just isn’t use to a lot of grease.
The chobani yogurts are super sweet for me and I actually prefer plain yogurt with fresh or frozen fruit. I know we all have different taste buds, my mom adds a little sweetener to Chobani as they aren’t sweet enough for her!
I think the soy protein they’re calling for is the same thing is TVP (textured vegetable protein). That looked like a lot of work and ingredients so I’m glad it turned out! They look perfect!
Thanks Jenn! 😀
If it was just me, I would definitely try your recipe. Love the freezing thing because then I’m not eating tacos for days on end. But….tacos are my sweeties pride and joy to make for us. Since I know him so well – if I took his “famous tacos recipe” away, he’d never cook for me again. And he is a GREAT cook. The sacrifices I make ~ LOL
Good for you for taking time for yourself and getting the workout in! I’m off to check out that granola recipe. I just bought a huge container of Greek yogurt from Costco. Did you know they sell Chobani there?
I didn’t know they sold Chobani there! We have a Sam’s club membership, so I’ll check that out.
I have a fryer but it stays out in the garage on the extra appliance shelf and we RARELY use it. Maybe once a summer I’ll cook us some fried chicken out on the patio but other than that I can’t remember the last time I did use it. So no, I don’t ever see myself replicating these as I’m satisfied with a taco made with an already crunchy shell that I bake. Glad you left the Accent out, that’s nothing but MSG!
I actually didn’t even know they sold Accent anymore. Yep, the deep fryer is dangerous – I’ve cleaned it out and its in the basement out of plain sight. 😀
I love the Chobani pineapple yogurt, but my favorite is the plain Chobani with chopped pistachios, sliced bananas and drizzled with dark honey.
You may have spoiled Tony by cracking the secret taco recipe.
I am not even sure that dark honey is, but it sounds amazeballs! Yep, I spoil the man – he’s getting Hooters shrimp for Superbowl Sunday!
I love plain Chobani and that parfait looks so good. I just cannot keep the crackola in my home. Your boss and co-workers sure are lucky. If your office ever needs a nurse please put in a good word!!
I have made a mental note in case we need a nurse on staff! 😀
that parfait looks absolutely amazing… if anyone wanted to make me that for breakfast, i’d be in 🙂
Yayy for parfaits! They’re just the bestest. And your dinner looks restaurant quality. Great work chicky. Hope you have a good day
Loved the pictures of Frank on your blog – he was so tiny as a puppy – and that he got steak for a treat was nice (we give our dog table food ALL the time!)
Interesting that you puree the ground beef mixture – I guess that’s how they did it for the Taco Bell tacos, too (my former addiction). And to answer your question, no, I won’t be making these…I could drive a mile done the road and buy the real thing (jealous, Tony? 😉 ), but I don’t really don’t eat fast food anymore. Still, I’m impressed at the work you put into replicating these!
Yes, Shelley – Tony is extremely jealous!
I’m going to make the Jack In The Box tacos. We have no Jack in the Box in Florida
All the Jack in the Box shops closed in Illinois too – so sad!
We’ve been eating tri tip tacos…but no, I dont have a fryer.
Tri tips are something I need to buy – I never think of it – glad you survived your single parenthood while the hubs was traveling – maybe this weekend you’ll get some sleep!
I love chobani but always mix it with cottage cheese or plain yogurt so it’s not as sweet. They have great flavors but honestly I’d rather just eat plain with fresh fruit and a little honey.
You know what’s weird is most moms have tacos in their regular food rotation, why don’t I? I think I will have to try those tacos. My husband ate at Taco Bell all the time growing up (what guy didn’t?) I am sure it will bring back all sorts of good memories.
I’ve never thought to add cottage cheese to Chobani! So glad you daughter enjoyed the play – can’t believe she only gets a 2 week break before Little Mermaid starts!
Tacos look interesting. I won’t be making them though as I only have about 4 of the ingredients and no fryer.
John, don’t get a fryer – it’s too dangerous! The first weekend we had it we kept asking each other “what else can we deep fry?!”
lol….look for my next post…going to write in now
🤔😵🤢🤮