If you make tacos as often as I do, you will invariably be left with extra taco meat from time to time. Here, I am going to share my 21 favorite things to do with leftover taco meat.
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What Is Taco Meat
In general, taco meat is nothing more than ground beef prepared with a favorite taco seasoning like this one.
Of course, you can add different ingredients to enhance the flavor of the ground beef as you cook it.
It’s common to saute your ground beef with chopped garlic or onion and extra virgin olive oil to add some extra flavor.
Why Would You Have Leftover Taco Meat Anyway?
It’s funny because I rarely – if ever – have any of this incredible meat left over.
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But “What do I do with leftover taco meat?” is a question I have gotten from more than one visitor so I figured I would do some brainstorming and come up with some uses for this tasty taco treat…
21 to be exact!
What Else Is New Around Here?
Before we get into all these crazy and unique ways to use leftover taco meat, I just wanted to give you a quick update on a few things going on at SeasonalCookbook.com.
If you haven’t checked out my latest recipe, Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo (One Pot) – please do. It’s a quick and healthy 20 minute meal that anyone can make!
I made it for lunch the day I shared my recipe here and I just made it again – it is one of my favorite recipes that I’ve shared on the blog thus far.
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I’ve also just done another side-dish post similar to my What To Serve With Crab Legs, called What To Serve With Chili – 13 Creative Sides that I think you might also like.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way…
Below I share some of my favorite uses for excess taco filling – some ideas are self-explanatory, but if a recipe is needed I will link out to it.
How To Prepare Leftover Taco Meat
Look, taco filling is delicious no matter how you serve it but I have to say that when I re-use taco meat I generally want it served hot.
So what I will do is simply heat it up on the stove in my really cool, colorful non-stick skillet from Greenlife’s Colorful Cookware Set (I LOVE THEIR COOKWARE) by sauteing it with some extra virgin olive oil.
Once my taco filling is sufficiently warm (hot in my case)…I can get to work!
Now let’s dig into some of my crazy ideas on what do with leftover taco meat!
1. Smother Nachos With Taco Meat
This idea is pretty self-explanatory!
Make nachos – Smother With Taco Meat – Enjoy!
You can use any easy nacho recipe you like – or even just buy tortilla chips online from Amazon’s Whole Foods Market with 2 hour delivery!
BUT if you are looking for a simple nachos recipe, look no further than my Super Bowl Nachos With Jalapenos And Sour Cream Recipe – you don’t have to wait for the Superbowl to make these!
2. Use As A Meat Sauce Over Pasta
Some astute readers may notice that this is the same recipe image from my Beyond Beef Bolognese Over Rigatoni Recipe, but the concept is the same.
Substitute your leftover taco filling for the meat sauce made from Beyond Meat’s Beyond Beef that I used in that recipe and enjoy!
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I generally like to heat up my leftover taco meat before adding it over pasta because I like my taco filling warm.
I generally use one of my super-colorful non-stick skillets with soft rubber handles (these are so much fun) for heating up taco meat or anything else for that matter!
3. Mexican Lasagna
Extra taco meat filling makes an incredibly delicious stuffing for Mexican lasagna because it pairs so well with different cheeses.
If you decide to go this route, I highly recommend this Easy Mexican Lasagna Recipe from Home Cooking Memories and simply substitute your extra taco meat for the filling.
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Super easy!
4. Mexican Street Fries
A staple comfort food that can be found on the streets of Mexico, Mexican street fries have gained popularity with tourists and locals, alike.
A great recipe I found online is Loaded Mexican Street Fries from Subha at TheFlavoursofKitchen.com – it is a great use for your extra taco filling!
It’s no surprise that this recipe is popular because these crispy french fries topped with taco meat are incredibly tasty!
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Mexican street fries can be prepared in many different ways – one common variation is to add corn.
Of course, I also love to add this delicate herb as a topping, as well.
5. Taco Meat Stuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes
This is one of the most incredible uses for leftover taco meat that I found online.
Emily from EmilyBites.com created this unique and delicious recipe for Taco Meat Stuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes that I really think you should check out.
Simply click the image or the hyperlink above to have Emily show you how she makes these deliciously decadent baked potatoes with a Mexican flair!
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6. Cold Taco Salad
Another creative way to use leftover taco meat comes from Jaclyn’s blog, CookingClassy.com.
Her Quick and Easy Taco Salad Recipe is a no-brainer and her step-by-step cooking instructions are easy to follow.
But if you already have some of your own leftover taco filling, this recipe becomes even easier – and for a time-saving recipe hack, simply serve this dish cold.
You can check out Jaclyn’s awesome recipe by clicking the image or the link above – please visit her site CookingClassy.com because she shares a ton of great recipes on her blog!
7. Cheesy Taco Sliders
What could be better than sliders?
How about these Cheesy Taco Sliders from Alli at Tornadoughalli.com who came up with a brilliant way to repurpose leftover taco meat.
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These sliders look so good and are an easy way to use up some more of our leftover taco filling.
8. Crockpot Taco Soup
If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, then you’ll surely know I love soup!
So it’s only logical that when I saw this creative Slow Cooker Taco Soup Recipe from HomemadeInterest.com I had to share it with you.
This recipe is a great way to use up your leftover taco meat and it looks absolutely delicious, too.
9. Mexican Shrimp Kabobs
It would be quite easy to turn my Easy Shrimp Kabobs With Pineapple into Mexican Shrimp Kabobs, simply by drizzling some leftover taco meat on top.
Alternatively you could take the shrimp, peppers, onions and pineapple chunks and – instead of skewering them – combine them in a taco with your leftover taco meat.
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The combination of flavors tastes incredible – please try this one!
10. Taco Meat Stuffed Empanadas
Of course I had to include a recipe from another ‘Dude’ Food Blogger like myself.
Kevin from KevinIsCooking.com shared this fun recipe for Mini Taco Meat Stuffed Hand Pies (Empanadas) on his blog.
And since I like anything baked in a pie crust I just had to include this leftover taco meat recipe here for all you to enjoy, as well.
You can check out Kevin’s recipe by clicking the image or the recipe hyperlink above – please spend some time on Kevin’s site there are a ton of fabulous recipes.
11. Mexican Zucchini Taco Boats
I love to share healthy, seasonally-inspired, low carb recipes with you here on SeasonalCookbook.com.
So, when I saw this healthy, creative way to use up some of my leftover taco meat I just had to share it.
This Mexican Taco Meat Stuffed Zucchini Boat recipe from London over at EvolvingTable.com is simple and low carb.
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This recipe is very much aligned with the types of recipes I share with you here so please check it out by clicking the photo or the link above – you won’t regret it!
12. Taco Meat Stuffed Pablano Peppers
This one is so easy, I don’t even think you need a recipe.
Simply grill up some nice, big Pablano Peppers on your high-powered futuristic outdoor grill.
Once your peppers are cool enough to handle, slice them lengthwise, scoop out each half, and fill with your leftover taco meat.
This makes a wonderful appetizer!
13. Taco Lettuce Wraps
These Easy and Healthy Taco Lettuce Wraps are an incredible way to use leftover taco meat!
This simple recipe idea is certainly one of the healthiest ways to use extra taco filling without adding a lot of unnecessary calories.
Please click on the image above or the hyperlink to get the full recipe from one of my favorite food blogs!
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14. Taco Pizza
Another interesting and creative idea for using leftover taco meat comes from Angela over at MightyMrs.com.
Her Taco Pizza Recipe is a relatively easy recipe that combines tacos and pizza all into one tasty dish!
Please check out Angela’s recipe by clicking the image or the link above and see how easy it is to make this wonderful dish.
15. Chiles Rellenos
You can find some of the most beautiful food photos on TheCommunalFeast.com blog!
As I was admiring some of their food photos, I came across this excellent recipe for Chiles Rellenos with Picadillo and I just had to share it here.
It is an incredibly unique and sophisticated way to utilize leftover taco filling.
I really consider this an elevated leftover taco meat recipe – so please visit their blog if you want to see how to make these yourself.
You won’t be disappointed!
16. Taco Casserole
Another stellar way to use excess taco meat filling is to simply bake it into a casserole.
This is exactly what Kathleen from GonnaWantSeconds.com did in her eye-catching Taco Casserole Recipe depicted in the photo above.
You can check out that excellent recipe by clicking the photo or the link above – I really think you’ll enjoy her site!
17. Mexican Taco Rice
This very Easy Taco Rice Recipe from Lauren at LaurensLatest.com is another wonderful way to use leftover taco meat.
Lauren is a professional recipe developer who takes great care in presenting her fabulously flavorful recipes.
Please check out her awesome food blog if you want to make this tasty taco rice – just click the photo or hyperlink above!
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18. Southwest Frittata
If you were wondering what to do with leftover taco meat for breakfast, this is the recipe for you!
I cannot think of a better way to repurpose taco meat than to use it in a frittata.
This Hearty Southwestern Frittata Recipe from MySequinedLife.com is the ultimate Mexican breakfast frittata.
You can check out that recipe simply by clicking the hyperlink or photo above – that Frittata looks amazing!
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19. Taco Quesadilla
This Easy Taco Quesadillas Recipe is from Deanne over at ThisFarmGirlCooks.com
Quesadillas are a wonderful vehicle to stuff with extra taco filling that you had left over after making your insane tacos recipe.
Deanne’s recipe is so easy to follow and looks fantastic so please click the photo or link above and let her show you exactly how to make these quesadillas.
20. Taco Rice Casserole
This recipe is absolutely perfect if you are trying to decide what to do with leftover taco meat and rice.
Lexi from LexisCleanKitchen.com shares an excellent Easy Taco Rice Casserole recipe on her blog that solves two problems.
Her recipe helps utilize two leftovers – taco meat and rice!
Simply click the photo or link above to check out Lexi’s delicious taco casserole recipe.
21. Taco Stuffed Avocados
This final suggestion for what to do with leftover taco meat comes from Alyssa over at TheRecipeCritic.com
She shares a visually stunning recipe called Taco Stuffed Avocados that utilizes a couple of my favorite toppings – tomatoes and black olives.
Please take a few minutes to visit Alyssa’s food blog to check out the recipe I shared above, as well as more of her delicious recipes.
Just click the photo or link above – I think you will really enjoy her site!
What Do You Think?
Above, you got to see some of my favorite ideas and recipes for what to do with leftover taco meat.
Did you find this article useful? If so, please subscribe to my Email List and I’ll notify you anytime I post a new article or recipe!
I was happy to share some of the recipes I found online from some of my favorite food blogs in this roundup post with you.
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I am interested to here what ideas YOU may have for using up some of that delicious taco meat – if you have any left at all!
Please share your thoughts in the COMMENTS SECTION BELOW!
How To Store Leftover Taco Meat
If You Are Planning On Using It Soon
The way I store any excess taco filling that I am planning to eat in the next few days is simply by placing it in an air-tight plastic container like one of these and refrigerating it.
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You can certainly use any Tupperware or Rubbermaid plastic food containers as long as they are refrigerator safe.
If You Want Your Taco Meat To Last Longer
If you are not planning on using your taco filling anytime soon, the best way to preserve it is to place it in air-tight freezer bags like these.
Make sure you squeeze all the air out and lock the zipper securely.
How Long Will Leftover Taco Meat Last If Frozen?
If you use the freezer bags I mentioned above and seal tightly with minimal air, your excess taco filling should last 6 months or longer (BUT ONLY IF PROPERLY SEALED IN AIR TIGHT BAGS).
***Please remember to always check any leftovers you have stored for an extended period of time before consuming!
Please Share Or Link To This Article
I am always happy to hear what you think so please share any comments or ideas in the COMMENTS SECTION BELOW!
As always, you are welcome to share this roundup post, just please provide a link back!
Now it’s time for you to try some of these suggestions if you have any leftover taco meat at home.
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Happy Cooking!
I always have taco meat left over so your suggestions were right up my alley! I get so bored just doing the same thing over and over again with my leftover taco meat. Now I have some new recipes to try out. Thank you!
Hi Cindy!
I am glad that my article inspired some new taco meat ideas for you. I can’t take credit for most of the recipes, though, so please visit some of the sites I linked out to because there are some very creative leftover taco meat recipes for sure.