Taco, corn tortilla, beef, cheese
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A classic street-style taco featuring a soft, earthy corn tortilla cradling seasoned ground beef and melted cheese. The texture is a delightful contrast of tender meat, gooey cheese, and the slightly chewy, aromatic tortilla. Nutritionally, it offers a solid protein punch (15.47g per 100g) alongside a balanced mix of fats and carbs, making it a satisfying, energy-dense meal.
Calorie split: 25% protein · 25% carbs · 50% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the perfect harmony of savory, spiced beef, creamy cheese, and the distinct, slightly sweet corn flavor of the tortilla. It's a versatile, handheld meal that embodies the vibrant, communal spirit of Mexican street food culture.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat and sodium content from cheese and seasoned beef can be a concern for those monitoring heart health or blood pressure. To mitigate, opt for leaner beef, use less cheese, and pair the taco with a side of fiber-rich beans or a fresh salad to slow digestion and balance the meal.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of high-quality protein for muscle maintenance
- Corn tortilla provides whole-grain fiber and essential minerals like magnesium
- Balanced macronutrient profile (protein, carbs, fat) supports sustained energy
- Contains calcium from cheese, important for bone health
- Naturally gluten-free when made with a traditional corn tortilla
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The word 'taco' originally referred to a small explosive charge used in Mexican silver mines in the 18th century, which was wrapped in paper, much like a taco is wrapped in a tortilla.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 53.7 g |
| Energy | 249 kcal |
| Protein | 15.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 13.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 15.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.34 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 69.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.6 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 35.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 225 mg |
| Potassium, K | 214 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 375 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 3.6 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.09 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 14.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.06 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.13 mg |
| Niacin | 3.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.28 mg |
| Folate, total | 6.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 6.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 6.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 45.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 1.3 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 12.0 ug |
| Retinol | 12.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.92 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 4.7 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.5 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.36 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.6 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.2 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 5.6 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.33 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 5.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.0 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.22 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 46.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from TACO BELL, Soft Taco with beef, cheese and lettuce — USDA does not publish this profile for Taco.
| Tryptophan | 0.10 g |
| Threonine | 0.37 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.38 g |
| Leucine | 0.72 g |
| Lysine | 0.62 g |
| Methionine | 0.20 g |
| Cystine | 0.12 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.42 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.30 g |
| Valine | 0.45 g |
| Arginine | 0.49 g |
| Histidine | 0.26 g |
| Alanine | 0.46 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.77 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.1 g |
| Glycine | 0.52 g |
| Proline | 0.72 g |
| Serine | 0.45 g |
FAQ
Is a corn tortilla healthier than a flour tortilla?
Generally, yes. Corn tortillas are typically lower in calories and fat, higher in fiber, and are a whole-grain product, making them a more nutritious choice for most people.
How can I make this taco healthier?
Use extra-lean ground beef or turkey, reduce the cheese, load up on fresh toppings like lettuce, tomato, and onion, and choose a whole-grain corn tortilla.
What is the best way to reheat a taco?
To keep the tortilla from getting soggy, reheat the beef and cheese separately in a skillet or oven, then warm the tortilla briefly on a dry pan before assembling.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.49 kcal/g · 25% calories from protein · 2.1 g fiber · 0.3 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.75 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.