When it comes to taco night, one of the most important questions is how many taco shells come in a pack. The number of taco shells in a package can vary depending on the brand, type of shell, and pack size. Having the right amount of shells on hand ensures you can feed your family or guests without running out or having lots of leftovers. Knowing how many shells are in a pack also helps with planning portions and calculating the total tacos you can make. In this article, we’ll look at the common taco shell pack sizes and how many shells are typically included.
Typical taco shell pack sizes
Taco shells are most often sold in packs of 6, 8, 10, 12, 18 or 24 shells. Here are some of the common pack sizes you’ll see in grocery stores:
- 6 count – Typically the smallest pack size, usually hard taco shells
- 8 count – Common for soft taco shells or mini hard shells
- 10 count – Popular pack size for hard taco shells
- 12 count – Larger pack often used for entertaining or feeding a crowd
- 18 count – Typically soft taco shells, sometimes hard shells
- 24 count – Usually the largest consumer pack size, often soft taco shells
Some party sized packs may go up to 36 or 48 taco shells, but those very large packs are less common. For most home cooking needs, the 6 to 24 count packs are the typical range seen in stores.
How many taco shells in popular brand packs
The number of taco shells per pack can vary somewhat depending on brand. Here is a look at how many shells come in packs of some of the top-selling taco shell brands:
Old El Paso Taco Shells
- 6 count hard taco shells
- 10 count hard taco shells
- 12 count hard taco shells
- 18 count soft taco shells
- 24 count soft taco shells
Ortega Taco Shells
- 8 count hard taco shells
- 10 count hard taco shells
- 12 count soft taco shells
- 24 count soft taco shells
Mission Taco Shells
- 8 count soft taco shells
- 10 count hard taco mini shells
- 12 count soft taco shells
- 24 count soft taco shells
As you can see, even for the same brand, the count per pack can vary based on the type of shell and pack size. Hard shell packs tend to run smaller, while larger counts are usually soft taco shells.
How many tacos can you make from typical packs?
Knowing how many shells come in a pack is useful for estimating the total number of tacos you can make for feeding family or guests. Here is an estimate of how many tacos some typical packs will yield:
| Pack Size | Estimated Tacos |
|---|---|
| 6 count hard shells | 6 tacos |
| 8 count soft shells | 8 tacos |
| 10 count hard shells | 10 tacos |
| 12 count soft shells | 12 tacos |
| 18 count soft shells | 18 tacos |
| 24 count soft shells | 24 tacos |
This assumes one taco per shell. You can stretch a pack further by breaking some shells in half for “taco salads” or tacos with less filling. But in general, the taco count will be very similar to the number of shells in a pack.
Factors that affect taco shell counts
There are a few factors that can impact the number of taco shells in a typical grocery store package:
Hard vs soft shells
Soft taco shells are more pliable, so they can be packed more efficiently. Hard taco shells are more rigid and prone to breakage, so packs tend to contain fewer shells. Soft shell packs are often 50% larger for the same brand.
Mini vs regular size
Mini taco shells are a smaller diameter, so you can fit more in a package of the same dimensions. Regular size hard taco shells average 4 inches across, while mini shells are around 3 inches.
Fragility
Thinner, crispier taco shells are more fragile, limiting how many can be packed without damage. Thicker, sturdier shells can be stacked tightly for a higher count per pack.
Retailer shelf space
Grocery stores limit package sizes to what will fit neatly on shelves. Very large counts may get moved to club store distribution instead of traditional supermarkets.
Strategies for determining taco shell counts
When trying to determine how many taco shells are in new or unfamiliar package, here are some tips:
- Look for a product description on the packaging that states the count.
- Examine the nutrition label for “Servings per container” which should match the shell count.
- Scan the barcode with a store app to see if more details are available.
- Ask a store employee if the shell count is listed for that product in their system.
- Search the brand website for product details including taco shell counts per package.
- Purchase one package and count the shells yourself, then you’ll know going forward.
Conclusion
Knowing how many taco shells are in a typical package can be valuable information for meal planning. The most common taco shell pack sizes range from 6 shells up to 24 shells, with soft shells often coming in larger counts. Brand, shell type, size and fragility can all impact the number of shells per pack. With some sleuthing and trial and error, you can figure out the right shell count for your taco needs.