Confession Time - I am anxious about running out of food at parties. I prepare enough food for a small army when the guest list is 25 people, of which 9 are kids. Let's just say, while planning a party, I include a plan for leftovers, too!
Which leads to leftovers—lots and lots of leftovers. Luckily, I am a pretty creative meal planner and have many ideas for leftover taco meat. That was the case after my daughter’s confirmation party, where we served a taco bar with all her favorites!
If you are curious about the taco bar menu, it included ten pounds of ground beef taco meat with homemade seasoning, five pounds of shredded chipotle chicken, crockpot Mexican street corn dip, gluten-free cornbread, homemade salsa, fresh pineapple, and all the taco toppings!
Here are a handful of creative ideas to use up leftover taco meat.
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Freezing Leftover Taco Meat
After the party was over, I put 2 cups (1 pound) of leftover taco meat into freezer-friendly containers and put them in the refrigerator to cool down.
Once cool, label what it is and the date, and place it in the freezer. Freezer tape works great for this. Do not skip the labeling part! Labels solve mysteries, and even though you are positive you will remember, trust me, you won’t!
Defrost frozen taco meat and use it on busy weeknights!
Taco Salad With Western Dressing
A refreshing salad option featuring crunchy Doritos, cubed cheese, sliced black olives, and diced tomatoes, all dressed with a homemade Western salad dressing made from scratch.
Easy Taco Pie With Corn Tortillas
Taco meat mixed with sour cream in a pie pan lined with leftover corn tortillas! Top it with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and pickled jalapenos!
Taco Soup in Slow Cooker
Skip adding the taco seasoning to this recipe and enjoy a chili-like taco-flavored soup made in the crock pot all day.
Mexican Lasagna
Layers of corn tortillas with leftover taco meat, black beans, corn, cheddar cheese, and canned tomatoes—similar to a lasagna.
Taco Pizza
Create a taco pizza! Taco Tuesday nights will never be the same. Use cottage cheese pizza crust, then top it with salsa con queso, leftover taco meat, and cheddar cheese. Bake, and afterward, add shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced olives, chopped cilantro leaves, and green taco sauce.
FAQs
In the refrigerator, it will last for four days if covered in an airtight container, and in the freezer, it will last for four months in a freezer-friendly container for the best flavor.
For best results, defrost frozen taco meat in the refrigerator the night before using.
Prepare a breakfast hash with diced potatoes, leftover taco meat, salsa, cheese, and scrambled eggs. Top it off with a dollop of sour cream and hot sauce!
Use it for a chicken quesadilla with peppers and cheese.
Venessa Mandelkow says
I love using up already cooked and prepared food! Less waste, less money, less work - everyone wins!