30+ Ways: What to do with Leftover Taco Meat (2024)

30+ Ways: What to do with Leftover Taco Meat (1)

Creamy Taco Soup Recipe

Taco soup is an easy way to use leftover seasoned meat and you can keep most of the ingredients in the pantry at all-times so you don't have to worry about the ingredients going bad! (Items like canned black beans, kidney beans, chili beans, tomato sauce, etc.)

30+ Ways: What to do with Leftover Taco Meat (2)

Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing

No hard work required on this one! Simply mix together that extra taco meat with a few other ingredients and you just made the most delicious taco salad!

30+ Ways: What to do with Leftover Taco Meat (3)

Fried Tacos

Talk about the ultimate crunchy taco recipe! These deep-fried tacos are not only easy to make but they're full of flavor!

This recipe calls for cooked ground beef, and I can't think of a better way to add some extra flavor to this crock pot goulash recipe!

Bake it in a Pasta

If you have a favorite pasta recipe, say, mostacolli or even a Taco Skillet Dish, just toss the already cooked taco meat in for a pasta dish!

Make Taco Avocado Toast

We're huge fans of avocado toast recipes because a lot of times we can use leftover meats and top our toast with it the next morning. We've rarely found something that's not delicious on avocado toast!

Nachos

Using leftover meat for nachos is a fantastic way to use it! We use leftover roast, steak, chicken and so much more on top of tortilla chips with this bbq nachos recipe!

Baked Potato Topping

Whip up a quick "potato bar" to allow everyone to add whatever toppings they want on their potatoes, with leftover taco meat being an option! Make sure to set out your favorite toppings like sour cream, cheddar cheese, (or your favorite mexican cheese blend) green onions, and fresh salsa! Feel free to even use sweet potatoes for a fun twist too!

Taco Casserole

Simply put meat on the bottom of a casserole dish, add some canned corn on top, then add a layer of tater tots and finally cover with queso cheese! Bake at 350 degrees until heated through (and the tots are cooked/golden brown) for a great dinner idea!

Or, switch out the chicken for taco meat in this taco casserole.

Totchos

Cook tater tots as directed on the package and simply top like you would nachos, with queso, taco meat, and your other favorite toppings for nachos! You can even make tachos in the air fryer!

Stuffed Jumbo Pasta Shells

Cook jumbo pasta shells as directed, fill with taco meat, shredded cheese, and crushed Doritos and baked at 350 degrees until cheese is melted!

Hot Taco Dip

This hot taco dip recipe is an amazing way to use any leftover taco meat because it calls for it anyway! Make a double batch of meat and use this for the dip to eat on during the big game!

Quesadillas

Grab those flour tortillas and make quesadillas with the leftover taco meat. You can also fill with shredded cheese, beans, rotel, rice and other fillings that you love!

Stuffed Peppers

When we made stuffed peppers, we used meatballs! However when we have leftover taco meat, we love using it in this recipe with spanish rice, too!

Taco Spaghetti

Although it's a regular spaghetti recipe, using taco meat can add a little flair and give it a kick that just may have you making taco spaghetti from now on, instead of traditional spaghetti!

Taco Crescent Rolls

Using crescent rolls, fill the flat roll with taco meat and shredded cheese, roll it up (completely covering the meat and cheese) and bake according to crescent roll package directions.

Walking Taco Casserole

This walking taco casserole is full of taco flavor, and you can use the leftover taco meat for the ground beef!

Chimichangas

If you love chimichangas, this chimichanga recipe would be perfect to add the leftover taco meat too instead of the chicken.

Taco Salad

Much like nachos, a taco salad is a great way to use up leftover meat, and you can pile on your favorite toppings! Or, make this salad and simply warm up the meat and top the salad with it!

Taco Sloppy Joes

Love sloppy joes? What a great way to use the meat with added flavor! Or, make the queso joes from my "Fabulously Fast Dinners Cookbook" cookbook for a twist on the regular sloppy joe.

Taco Omelette

What a hearty breakfast idea - using taco meat in an omelette for some mexican flair!

Quiche

Using this quiche recipe, add in taco meat or replace the sausage for a mexican spin!

Queso Dip

Add the cooked taco meat in to a bowl of queso for dipping as a fun appetizer or snack the next day! Great to put in the slow cooker on game day too for easy snacking!

Enchiladas

If you love enchiladas, this is an easy enchilada recipe to use up that leftover meat, and it's even in the slow cooker!

Hot Dog Topping

Place it on a hot dog as a fun topping idea for a taco dog, instead of this pizza dog recipe!

Chili

Taco chili (or just your regular chili recipe, using leftover taco meat) is another great way to use it up! If you don't have a favorite chili recipe you'll love this easy chili!

Mexican Lasagna

Mexican lasagna is a great way to use up that leftover taco meat with the flavors already in the meat!

Tostadas

Tostadas are an easy recipe to make! Just use your favorite toppings like refried beans, avocado, queso fresca and more!

Taco Pizza

Making pizzas at home can be so fun and versatile! Using leftover meat to top a pizza crust gives it a fantastic flavor and great way to get something delicious on the dinner table!

Taco Mac & Cheese

For a kid-friendly meal, add in the leftover meat in to mac and cheese and create a cheesy taco pasta that the whole family will love!

Taco Breakfast Burrito

Load a tortilla with scrambled eggs, peppers and your favorite fillings, along with the taco meat.

Shepherds Pie

If you love shepherds pie, then think about adding taco meat to it, for a flavor twist on the classic!

Taco Grilled Cheese

Just like your favorite grilled cheese but better! Top the cheese slice with taco meat and cook as your normally would! Or, you garlic cheese bread instead of regular bread for a taco grilled cheese you'll never forget!

Crunch Wrap

Like from your favorite Mexican fast food joint, make a crunch wrap at home!

Taco Fries

Grab seasoned french fries (or your favorite fries) and top with taco meat, cheese and green onion! Bake until the fries are golden brown!

Frito Pies

Top Fritos (or corn chips) with taco meat, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, taco sauce, and more, for an easy Frito pie!

Taco Meatloaf

Have a LOT of taco meat leaftover? Make a meatloaf, knowing that the meat is already cooked so the cooktime may not take as long as it does for your regular meatloaf recipe.

Freeze It

If you find that you won't use the taco meat in the next couple of days, you can always freeze it and save the frozen taco meat for one of the above recipes for a quick and easy dinner!

30+ Ways: What to do with Leftover Taco Meat (2024)

FAQs

30+ Ways: What to do with Leftover Taco Meat? ›

As a general rule, you should plan for about 1/4 to 1/2 pound of meat per person when making tacos. So for a family of four, you'll need around 1 to 2 pounds of ground beef. Of course, this can vary depending on your personal preferences and appetite, so adjust accordingly.

How much taco meat do I need for 30 adults? ›

As a general rule, you should plan for about 1/4 to 1/2 pound of meat per person when making tacos. So for a family of four, you'll need around 1 to 2 pounds of ground beef. Of course, this can vary depending on your personal preferences and appetite, so adjust accordingly.

How to save leftover taco meat? ›

Taco meat can be frozen quite well to be reused at a later date. To freeze taco meat: Place it in a freezer bag and close the bag except for a small gap. Compress the bag to remove excess air and seal the top completely.

How do you eat leftover meat? ›

With one of these clear-out-the-fridge recipes, you can turn a few cups of chopped or shredded meat into fried rice, frittatas, curries, stuffed peppers, soup, or pad Thai. Or use smaller amounts of leftover meat to top standbys like salads, pizzas, and burrito bowls.

How many tacos will 5 lbs of meat make? ›

Each taco shell or small soft taco-size tortilla fits about 2 ounces or 1/4 cup of meat. If you add diced onions, you could stretch a pound of ground beef to make about a dozen tacos. With just the meat and spices, you can make about 8 tacos from a pound of meat.

Can I eat week old taco meat? ›

Say you've cooked up a pound of ground beef for taco night, how long will that last you in the fridge? Like all leftovers, cooked meats will last in the refrigerator for three to four days, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Can you save leftover ground beef? ›

If it is refrigerated promptly (within two hours at room temperature; or one hour if surrounding temperature is above 90 °F), it can be safely kept for about three or four days stored in the refrigerator (40 F or less). If frozen, it should keep its quality for about four months.

Can you make meatballs from cooked ground beef? ›

As long as the meat isn't dry and overcooked in the first place, chefs say, leftover beef, lamb, pork, veal and ham can be used in almost any dish that calls for ground meat.

How good is leftover meat good for? ›

USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days. There are two different families of bacteria: pathogenic bacteria, the kind that cause foodborne illness, and spoilage bacteria, the kind of bacteria that cause foods to deteriorate and develop unpleasant odors, tastes, and textures.

What can I eat with tacos besides rice? ›

  1. 1 / 33. Taco Slaw. ...
  2. 2 / 33. Arroz Rojo (Mexican Rice) ...
  3. 3 / 33. Elote (Mexican Street Corn) ...
  4. 4 / 33. Refried Beans. ...
  5. 5 / 33. Avocado-Corn Salad. ...
  6. 6 / 33. Creamy 3-Ingredient Cilantro-Lime Slaw. ...
  7. 7 / 33. Frijoles de la Olla. ...
  8. 8 / 33. Fresh Corn Salsa with Lime and Cilantro.
Apr 22, 2024

What goes good with meat tacos? ›

10 Flavorful Sides to Go with a Taco Bar
  • Refried Beans. Refried beans, or "frijoles refritos," have been a staple in Mexican cuisine for centuries. ...
  • Traditional Mexican Rice. ...
  • Taco Slaw. ...
  • Seven-Layer Dip. ...
  • Mexican Street Corn Salad. ...
  • Zesty Black Bean Salad. ...
  • Grilled Corn on the Cob. ...
  • Jalapeño Poppers.
Jul 11, 2023

Can you eat left out taco meat? ›

In fact, any meat that has been left out at room temperature for longer than two hours in the danger zone –- temperatures between 40 F and 140 F –- is considered dangerous and should be discarded, as bacteria can grow quickly within that temperature frame.

Can you freeze leftover taco meat? ›

Depending on how long you plan to store your cooked taco meat, you can use freezer bags or glass containers. Make sure to label them with the date so you can rotate through your food for best quality and prevent freezer burn. If using Ziploc bags, I recommend storing for no more than 3-4 months.

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