Looking for what to make with leftover taco meat? Maybe you went a little overboard on Taco Tuesday and you have a plethora of extra taco meat. But don’t panic! There are plenty of things you can do with those taco meat leftovers.
Most people tend to get a little antsy when thinking about leftovers. But what if I told you that leftover food can be your best friend? With a little creativity, that extra taco meat could become a delicious meal for tomorrow night or even an entirely new dish. And with just a few simple tips and tricks, we’re going to show you how with these leftover taco meat recipes!
How to store leftover taco meat so you can make it later
When cooking taco meat that will be used later, make sure that you use lean ground beef so your taco meat doesn’t end up too greasy. The easiest way to store leftover taco meat is in a covered dish and refrigerated for up to three days. To freeze the leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and place them in the freezer for up to three months. For best results, defrost the meat by placing it in the fridge overnight.
- Taco Soup
- Taco Pie
- Nachos
- Lasagna
- Pita bread wrap
- Taco salad
- Burrito bowls
As you can see from the above list, there are a few options for what to do with taco meat leftovers. You can just put it over a different type of carbohydrate and have it as a whole meal or you can mix things up and try making a different dish – say, tacos – but in a different form, like in a pita bread wrap or as a taco salad.
Our favorite leftover taco meat recipes
You will love these delicious recipes that use leftover taco meat. Whether your taco meat was with ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground beef. The whole family will be flocking to the dinner table when you make these recipe ideas.
Leftover Taco Meat Lasagna
Leftover Taco Meat Lasagna
Skip the tomato sauce the next time you're thinking of making a good lasagna and give this classic Italian dish a nice Mexican spin. Leftover taco lasagna is a tasty and easy way to use up leftover taco meat. This taco lasagna is made with layers of pasta, ground taco meat, shredded cheese, and sauce. It is a simple and easy recipe that can be made in just minutes.
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Leftover Taco Meat Burrito Bowl
Leftover Taco Meat Burrito Bowl
There's nothing quite like a hearty, filling burrito bowl made with leftover taco meat. This recipe is easy to make and perfect for a quick meal on a busy day. Just layer the ingredients in a bowl and enjoy!
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Leftover Taco Meat Pie
Leftover Taco Meat Pie
This taco pie recipe is a favorite in our household. It's simple to make, and everyone loves it! The best part is that you can customize it to your own taste by adding different ingredients.
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Leftover Taco Pizza
Leftover Taco Pizza
If you've ever had leftover taco pizza, then you know that it's a great way to use up some of the leftovers from your taco dinner. The cheddar cheese, dollops of sour cream, and sprinkles of green onions is what makes this a family favorite. This recipe is an easy way to make your own leftover taco pizza that tastes delicious and is perfect for a quick meal.
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Cheesy Taco Casserole
Cheesy Taco Casserole
If you’re in the mood for something cheesy and delicious, you should definitely try this Cheesy Taco Casserole recipe. You can't go wrong when you combine taco meat with melted cheese! It’s easy to make and incredibly delicious!
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Taco Hamburger Helper
Taco Hamburger Helper
Let's face it…sometimes, you just don't have time to recreate an entire taco night. But as long as you have taco meat, you have some great options. That's exactly where this taco hamburger helper comes in! It's a simple and easy meal that allows you to enjoy all those delicious flavors in one dish. Plus, it's perfect for a weeknight meal.
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Taco Salad
Taco Salad
This layered taco salad is one of the most popular and easy-to-make healthy recipes that we wanted to include on the list. This salad pairs perfectly with a creamy ranch dressing, a homemade vinaigrette dressing made from olive oil, lime juice, and cilantro, or even a nice big dollop of sour cream. It will kick those leafy greens up to levels unknown! This salad can be served cold or at room temperature, but you may want to warm up the ground beef. Just throw it together and enjoy this healthier alternative!Pro Tip: Throw on some tortilla strips for a good crunch!
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Taco Dip
Taco Dip Recipe
This taco dip recipe is perfect for game day, party, or just to enjoy some delicious Mexican food. It is easy to make and full of flavor. The ingredients are simple, just some leftover ground beef with taco seasoning, sour cream, cream cheese, but the result is amazing.
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Taco Pasta
Taco Pasta Recipe
Taco pasta is a simple, yet delicious dish that can be enjoyed any time of year. It is made by combining a few ingredients and baking them until they are bubbly and gooey. The end result is a dish that tastes like tacos, but in pasta form. This one pot taco pasta recipe is easy to follow and can be prepared in just a few minutes. Anyone who loves tacos will love this pasta dish!
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Leftover Taco Nachos
Leftover Taco Nachos
This recipe for taco nachos is perfect for when you have leftover ground beef from your favorite tacos. This dish can be made quickly and easily with ingredients that you likely have on hand. All you need is some tortilla chips, leftover taco meat, and a few other ingredients to make yourself a delightful snack. This is just a base. If you want to add things like refried beans, fresh salsa, sour cream, shredded lettuce, black olives, diced tomatoes…feel free! Make them your own!
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Wrapping it Up
It’s always a good idea to freeze your leftover taco meat so you can use it for later. These recipes have so much flavor that it would be criminal to waste your leftover ground beef after making tacos. Whether you want to make walking tacos, nachos, quesadillas, or any of the other delicious leftover taco meat recipes we provided. We have covered a few options here that you can try, but there are plenty of other options out there. All you need is a little bit of creativity. But the point is…don’t throw away your leftover taco meat! Save it for another delectable dish.
Leftover Taco Meat FAQ
How long is leftover taco meat good for?
3 to 4 days How long can leftover taco meat stay in the fridge? Freshly prepared taco meat will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator if stored in an airtight container. If you approach that time limit and don’t use yours, go ahead and freeze it; however, be careful not to wait too long before using it.
How long does leftover taco meat last in the fridge?
three to four days If you’re making a pound of ground beef for taco night, how long will it keep in the refrigerator? According to the USDA, cooked meats will stay in the fridge for three to four days.
Can you freeze taco meat already cooked?
Freezing taco meat allows you to have a hearty and nutritious supper anytime! Taco meat is one of my favorite things to freeze. It’s really simple to prepare a big batch, bag it, and freeze it. It’s fantastic for making tacos, taco salads, and nachos.
