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    Urban Bliss Life » Blog » What to Do with Leftover Taco Meat

    Published: April 19, 2022 / Updated: April 19, 2022 by Alain Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    What to Do with Leftover Taco Meat

    113 shares
    what to do with leftover taco meat with title text overlay
    what to do with leftover taco meat with title text overlay

    Taco meat can be a delicious part of so many dishes, so it's never a bad thing to have some leftover. Here are some of our favorite ideas for What To Do With Leftover Taco Meat!

    what to do with leftover taco meat - homemade taco pizza

    We've all been there: we made tacos for Taco Tuesday but now we have leftover taco meat. Instead of just making more tacos again, here are some tasty ideas to turn those leftovers into brand new dishes to enjoy the next day!

    Table of contents

    • Taco Pizza
    • Taco Mac & Cheese
    • Taco Pasta
    • Mexican Lasagna
    • Taco Nachos
    • Taco Breakfast Bowls
    • Taco Salad
    • Taco Fried Rice
    • Leftover Taco Meat FAQs
    • What to drink with leftover taco meat dishes
    • More Recipes You'll Love
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    How to Make Instant Pot Taco Meat

    Taco meat is a tasty, versatile ingredient you can use in a variety of meals.

    But it all starts with a great taco meat recipe. Great news -- I happen to have one! My Instant Pot Taco Meat recipe is fast, easy, and oh so good. Use the link to see the full recipe

    For my taco meat recipe, I almost always use ground turkey as it's lean but you don't sacrifice any flavor. But you could also use ground beef, pork, or chicken.

    And with the Instant Pot, you can start with frozen meat -- there's no need to thaw it first -- which can save you valuable time.

    instant pot taco meat

    I have an 8-quart Instant Pot and it's great for this recipe, but a smaller 6-quart would work as well. As for ingredients, you just need:

    • 1 pound of frozen ground meat
    • ½ cup of taco seasoning
    • 1 cup of water

    You can follow the instructions for how to make Instant Pot Taco Meat here.

    Chances are, you'll have some extra, which means even more taco deliciousness! Here are a few mouth-watering ideas for what to do with leftover taco meat.

    Taco Pizza

    what to do with leftover taco meat - ingredients for taco pizza
    homemade taco pizza feature photo

    If you like tacos and you like pizza, then you'll love Taco Pizza! Not only is it super tasty, it's also easy to make with your leftover taco meat.

    To start off, I use this homemade pizza dough recipe, but you can also use store-bought dough.

    In addition to the leftover taco meat, I add:

    • Refried beans
    • Salsa - use my Homemade Restaurant-Style Salsa or your favorite store brand.
    • Shredded cheddar cheese - choose your favorite brand, or if you're dairy-free, these dairy-free cheddar-style shreds are delicious and melt beautifully.
    • Chopped tomatoes - I usually go with Roma tomatoes but beefsteak, hothouse, or even cherry or grape tomatoes will work great.
    • Sliced lettuce - iceberg or romaine tend to work best on pizza, as they'll provide a nice crunchy texture.
    • Sliced black olives - for some color and added salt.
    • Optional: cilantro and sour cream - After the pizza is done baking, you can top it with chopped cilantro and even serve it with a side of sour cream as dip.
    Get the full Taco Pizza recipe here.

    Taco Mac & Cheese

    Make the most of taco leftovers with this Taco Mac & Cheese recipe on UrbanBlissLife.com
    what to do with leftover taco meat - Taco Mac & Cheese

    Spice up a family favorite by adding leftover taco meat to mac & cheese to create, you guessed it, Taco Mac & Cheese!

    For the mac & cheese part of this dish, our kids love our creamy Dairy-Free Mac & Cheese recipe. But if you're short on time and prefer it pre-made, use your favorite store brand mac and cheese.

    Get the recipe for Taco Mac & Cheese here.

    Taco Pasta

    Our next idea for what to do with leftover taco meat is probably my personal favorite. It combines traditional taco toppings like sour cream, cheddar cheese, and cilantro with delicious bell peppers, onions, and garlic. The result: a quick and tasty Taco Pasta!

    what to do with leftover taco meat - taco pasta
    taco pasta

    Leftover taco meat goes great with most pasta shapes. I love it with spaghetti and with farfalle (bow ties).

    Just cook the pasta in a large pot, heat up your leftover meat in a skillet with some onions and garlic, then drain the pasta and add it to the meat.

    Get the full Taco Pasta recipe here.

    Mexican Lasagna

    what to do with leftover taco meat - close up slice of Mexican lasagna
    Mexican Lasagna tablesetting with wine

    If you have a lot of leftover taco meat, this next recipe is the perfect comfort-food solution.

    Packed with flavor, my hearty Mexican Lasagna is great for feeding a hungry crowd. This recipe makes enough to easily feed 8 to 10 people!

    For this dish you'll need:

    • Leftover taco meat
    • Cremini mushrooms
    • Fire roasted tomatoes
    • Tomato paste
    • Beans
    • Onions
    • Garlic
    • Tortillas
    • Shredded cheese
    Grab the full recipe for Mexican-style Lasagna here

    Taco Nachos

    what to do with leftover taco meat -nachos

    Nachos are one of those dishes that are perfect for last-minute meals and super busy weeknight dinners. If you have leftover taco meat, nachos are the perfect dish to bring those leftovers to life!

    Simply microwave a plate of tortilla chips topped with shredded cheese, leftover taco meat, and beans (I also add corn). Then once the cheese has melted, remove from the microwave and top with pico de gallo or salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. YUM!

    Taco Breakfast Bowls

    what to do with leftover taco meat - taco breakfast bowl with scrambled eggs

    For a protein-packed breakfast, you will LOVE these Taco Breakfast Bowls!

    To make, simply scramble eggs, then add your leftover taco meat to the pan and cook until the meat is all warmed up again. Add beans and corn if you wish, then serve with sour cream, salsa, and cilantro.

    Taco Breakfast Bowls are a delicious way to start the day!

    Taco Salad

    taco salad

    Using leftover taco meat to make Taco Salads is especially a yummy idea for lunch. Simply top your favorite salad greens with a mix of warmed up leftover meat, beans, corn, salsa, and sour cream.

    You can also add tortilla strips or crumble some tortilla chips on top for added crunch!

    Taco Fried Rice

    what to do with leftover taco meat - taco fried rice

    Being Filipino, I've learned long ago how almost any leftovers make AWESOME fried rice. Leftover taco meat is no exception!

    To make Taco Fried Rice, simply take cooked rice and add it to a skillet along with about one tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the rice for a bit, then add in the leftover taco meat, along with any other fixings you want. Top with a fried egg. Enjoy!

    Leftover Taco Meat FAQs

    How do I store leftover taco meat?

    Leftover taco meat will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or for up to four months in the freezer. Just be sure to allow the meat to cool completely first, then place it in an airtight container or sealed freezer bag so it doesn't get freezer burn.

    How do I reheat leftover taco meat?

    If you're starting with frozen leftover taco meat, thaw it out in the refrigerator or in the microwave on the "defrost" setting first. Then you can reheat it in a skillet or you can warm it up in the microwave for a 1-2 minutes.

    What to drink with leftover taco meat dishes

    Ilahe Gruner Veltliner wine

    Taco meat pairs great with beer, cider, margaritas, and even wine. They can all help balance any spiciness in your taco meat, especially lighter beers like lagers.

    Similarly, crisp white wines like a dry Riesling or Grüner Veltliner will be a refreshing complement to your leftover taco meat dish.

    If you prefer red wine instead, try a California Pinot Noir. They generally have a fuller body than Oregon ones and will stand up well to the bolder taco meat flavors.

    More Recipes You'll Love

    • Restaurant-style Salsa
    • Pico de Gallo
    • Sheet Pan Tex-Mex Vegetarian Nachos

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      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

      More about me →

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