Quick Answer
A single Dairy Queen taco contains around 24-26 grams of net carbs, depending on the exact ingredients and size. The flour tortilla accounts for most of the carbs, providing around 20 grams alone. The taco fillings – seasoned ground beef, lettuce, cheese and tomatoes – add a few more grams.
Detailed Answer
Determining the exact carb count of a Dairy Queen taco requires looking at the nutrition information for each ingredient that goes into building the taco. Here is a breakdown of the typical carb content from each ingredient:
Flour Tortilla
The flour tortilla used to wrap a Dairy Queen taco provides the bulk of the carb content. A standard 6-inch flour tortilla contains around 20-22 grams of total carbs, with about 18-20 grams from net carbs (total carbs minus fiber).
So right off the bat, the flour tortilla accounts for nearly all the carbs in a Dairy Queen taco. Flour tortillas are made from refined wheat flour, which is very high in carbohydrates. Two slices of bread provide a similar amount of carbs as a 6-inch tortilla.
Seasoned Ground Beef
The seasoned ground beef used as the protein in a Dairy Queen taco also contains a small amount of carbs. A 100g serving of 85% lean ground beef contains around 0 grams of carbs. However, Dairy Queen’s taco meat is likely seasoned with spices and other ingredients that add a few carb grams. An estimated 2-3 grams of carbs comes from a typical serving of seasoned taco beef.
Lettuce
The lettuce used on a Dairy Queen taco is very low in carbohydrates. One cup of shredded iceberg lettuce contains just over 1 gram of carb. The small amount of lettuce that goes into a taco likely provides less than 1 gram of carbs.
Cheese
The cheese layered into a Dairy Queen taco also contributes some carbs. One ounce of cheddar cheese typically provides about 0.5 grams of carbs. A Dairy Queen taco likely contains around 1 ounce of cheese, equalling about 0.5 grams of carbs.
Tomatoes
The diced tomatoes added on top of a Dairy Queen taco provide under 1 gram of carbs per taco. One small tomato (about 3 inches diameter) equals 4 grams of carb, so just a couple spoonfuls of diced tomato in a taco would be less than 1 gram.
Salsa
If salsa is added to the taco, this too contains a minimal amount of carbohydrates. A 2 tablespoon serving of tomato-based salsa contains around 2 grams of carbs. The small amount of salsa in a Dairy Queen taco likely provides 1 gram or less.
Total Carbs in a Dairy Queen Taco
Adding up the carb content from each ingredient, here is an estimate of the total carbs in a Dairy Queen taco:
| Ingredient | Grams of Carbs |
|---|---|
| Flour tortilla (6-inch) | 20-22g |
| Seasoned ground beef (100g) | 2-3g |
| Lettuce (1 cup shredded) | 1g |
| Cheese (1 ounce) | 0.5g |
| Tomatoes | 1g |
| Salsa | 1g |
| Total | 24-26g |
As shown, the total net carbs in a single Dairy Queen taco ranges from 24-26 grams, depending on the exact size of the tortilla and amount of fillings. This carb count is typical for a flour tortilla taco, since refined wheat flour is high in carbs.
Ways to Reduce Carbs in a Dairy Queen Taco
If you are limiting carbohydrates, there are some simple substitutions to reduce the carbs in a Dairy Queen taco:
Use a lettuce wrap instead of flour tortilla
Replacing the flour tortilla with a lettuce wrap eliminates about 20 grams of carbs right away. Simply wrap the taco fillings in a leaf of butterhead, iceberg or romaine lettuce to create a lower-carb option.
Skip the tortilla completely
For an even lower-carb option, you can skip the tortilla altogether and just eat the taco ingredients in a bowl or on a plate. This removes all the carbs from the flour tortilla.
Switch to a low-carb tortilla
If you want to keep the tortilla, opt for a lower-carb alternative instead of flour. Wheat or corn tortillas made with a blend of almond and coconut flours contain under 5 grams of net carbs.
Limit high-carb toppings
Go easy on any extra toppings like salsa, guacamole, rice or beans, which can add more carbs to your taco. Stick to lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and lower-carb ingredients.
Conclusion
A Dairy Queen taco made with a standard 6-inch white flour tortilla contains approximately 24-26 grams of net carbohydrates. The flour tortilla accounts for the majority of carbs, providing around 20 grams alone. Extra toppings like salsa, rice and beans can add even more. To reduce carbs, try using a lettuce wrap or low-carb tortilla instead of flour. Limiting high-carb toppings is another way to cut back on carbs while still enjoying the classic taco taste. With some simple modifications, you can still fit a Dairy Queen taco into a low-carb or keto eating pattern.
