We’ve all been there – we’ve made way too many tacos for a family get together and we’re left with a pile of taco leftovers. While it’s tempting to simply reheat them and eat them as is, that get’s old… real quick! There are actually many creative ways to use leftover tacos. In this article, we’ll share 10 creative ways to use leftover tacos that will take your leftovers from bland to delicious.

Table of Contents

Toggle

Can You Freeze Taco Meat?

You can freeze cooked taco meat! If you have an excessive amount of leftovers consider freezing the meat into smaller portions. Then you can remove one portion from the freezer as you’re ready to use it. 

Can you freeze tortillas?

Flour tortillas can be frozen for up to two months. For best results, freeze tortillas with a layer of parchment paper between each tortilla and store in a freezer safe bag with as much air removed as possible.  

Taco Salad

Tacos are amazing on their own, but have you ever tried turning them into a salad? That’s right, we’re taking those leftover tacos and giving them new life as a delicious and filling taco salad. This recipe is perfect for those days when you want something fresh and healthy but also crave the flavor of those tasty tacos from the night before. With plenty of veggies, a zesty dressing, and a sprinkle of cheese, this leftover taco salad is sure to become a regular in your meal rotation.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 leftover tacos
• 4 cups salad greens
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1/2 cup corn kernels (optional)
• 1/2 cup black beans (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese

Instructions:

1. Take the leftover tacos and chop them up into small pieces.
2. In a large salad bowl, add salad greens, diced tomatoes, diced onions, and any other vegetables you desire.
3. Add the chopped tacos to the salad bowl and toss everything together.
4. If desired, add corn kernels, black beans, and chopped cilantro to the salad bowl.
5. In a small bowl, mix together the sour cream and a squeeze of lime juice to create the dressing.
6. Drizzle the sour cream dressing over the taco salad.
7. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the salad.

Note: Feel free to adjust the ingredients to your liking and add any other toppings you enjoy, such as avocado or salsa. Goes great on tortilla chips!

Taco Pizza

Are you tired of the same old pizza toppings? Spice things up with this creative and easy leftover taco pizza recipe! Simply take your leftover tacos, chop them up, and sprinkle them over a pre-made pizza crust. Top with shredded cheese, sliced jalapeños, and any other toppings your heart desires. Pop it in the oven, and in no time, you’ll have a flavorful and unique pizza that will impress your taste buds and your dinner guests. It’s pizza night with a twist – and who doesn’t love a good twist?

Ingredients:

• 1 pre-made pizza crust
• 2-3 leftover tacos
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños
• Other desired toppings (e.g. diced tomatoes, onions, avocado, sour cream)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Take the leftover tacos and chop them up into small pieces.
3. Spread the chopped tacos evenly over the pre-made pizza crust.
4. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the tacos, covering them completely.
5. Add sliced jalapeños and any other toppings you desire.
6. Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Enjoy your delicious and unique twist on pizza night!

Breakfast Tacos

Wake up and smell the leftover tacos! Give your breakfast routine a south-of-the-border twist with these easy and delicious breakfast tacos. By combining your leftover taco meat and toppings with scrambled eggs and warm tortillas, you can create a filling and satisfying breakfast in just minutes. And with the added option of your favorite toppings, such as salsa, avocado, or cheese, this recipe is a surefire way to start your day off on the right foot.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 leftover tacos
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 small tortillas

Instructions:

1. Take the leftover tacos and separate the meat and toppings from the tortillas. Set the tortillas aside.
2. In a small bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
3. In a medium-sized skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
4. Add the egg mixture to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until the eggs are scrambled and fully cooked.
5. Add the leftover taco meat and toppings to the skillet and stir to combine with the eggs. Cook for an additional minute or until the meat and toppings are heated through.
6. Heat up the leftover tortillas in the microwave or on a hot skillet until warm.
7. Spoon the egg and taco mixture onto the warmed tortillas.
8. Fold the tortillas in half and serve immediately.

Enjoy your delicious and filling breakfast tacos! Feel free to add any other toppings you like, such as salsa, avocado, or shredded cheese.

Nachos

This easy and cheesy recipe takes just minutes to prepare and will have you wondering why you ever settled for plain old tacos in the first place. With a crispy base of chopped tacos, a layer of melted cheese, and a variety of toppings, including black beans, corn, jalapeños, sour cream, and guacamole, these nachos are the perfect way to enjoy your leftover tacos in a new and exciting way.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 leftover tacos
• 2 cups shredded cheese
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 jalapeño, sliced
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup guacamole

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Take the leftover tacos and chop them up into small pieces.
3. Spread the chopped tacos evenly on a baking sheet.
4. Top the chopped tacos with shredded cheese, black beans, corn, and sliced jalapeño.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
7. Serve the taco nachos with a dollop of sour cream and guacamole.
8. Enjoy your delicious and easy leftover taco nachos!

Note: Feel free to adjust the toppings to your liking, and add any other toppings you enjoy, such as sliced black olives, diced tomatoes, or chopped cilantro.

Quesadillas

If you’re looking for a fun and simple way to use up those leftover tacos, this recipe will be a hit. With just a few ingredients and a skillet, you can have a tasty meal in minutes. Who doesn’t love melted cheese and crispy tortillas?

Ingredients:

• 2-3 leftover tacos
• 4 large flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheese
• 1/4 cup salsa (optional)
• 1/4 cup sour cream (optional)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Take the leftover tacos and chop them up into small pieces.
2. Lay out the flour tortillas on a flat surface.
3. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over one half of each tortilla.
4. Add the chopped tacos on top of the cheese.
5. Fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling to create a half-moon shape.
6. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
7. Add the folded tortillas to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.
8. Remove from the skillet and repeat with the remaining tortillas.
9. Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve with salsa and sour cream, if desired.

Enjoy your delicious and easy taco quesadillas! Feel free to add any other toppings you like, such as diced tomatoes, onions, or sliced jalapeños.

Tostadas

Look no further than these delicious taco tostadas! With just a few simple ingredients and a tiny bit of assembly, you’ll have a crispy & flavorful meal that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a snack. You can customize the toppings to your liking, you can make these tostadas as simple or as complex as you want.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 leftover tacos
• 4 tostada shells (or 4 large tortillas, fried until crispy)
• 1 can of refried beans
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Hot sauce, to taste

Instructions:

1. Take the leftover tacos and chop them up into small pieces.
2. Heat up the refried beans in a small saucepan over medium heat.
3. Spread a layer of refried beans on each tostada shell.
4. Add the chopped tacos on top of the refried beans.
5. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sliced avocado.
6. Drizzle hot sauce over the top of the tostadas.
7. Serve and enjoy your delicious and crunchy taco tostadas!

Note: If you can’t find pre-made tostada shells, you can make your own by frying large tortillas in hot oil until they are crispy. Feel free to adjust the toppings to your liking and add any other toppings you enjoy, such as sliced black olives or diced onions.

Taco Soup

Spice things up with this delicious and easy leftover taco soup recipe! It’ll be packed with all your favorite taco flavors and topped with shredded cheese and tortilla chips. This soup is the perfect way to warm up on a chilly day. It’s a great way to use up those leftover tacos and turn them into something new and exciting. So grab your ingredients and get ready to slurp up some seriously tasty soup!

Ingredients:

• 2-3 leftover tacos
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Shredded cheese and tortilla chips, for serving

Instructions:

1. Take the leftover tacos and chop them up into small pieces.
2. In a large pot, combine the chicken broth, black beans, corn, tomato, onion, jalapeño, garlic, chili powder, and cumin.
3. Add the chopped tacos to the pot and stir to combine.
4. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
5. Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
6. Serve the taco soup hot, topped with shredded cheese and tortilla chips.

Note: If you like a thicker soup, you can puree some of the black beans in a blender before adding them to the pot. You can also adjust the spice level by adding more or less chili powder and jalapeño.

Taco Stuffed Peppers

If you’re looking for a fun and creative way to use up your leftover tacos, you need to stuff them inside a colorful bell pepper! These taco-stuffed peppers are a healthy and delicious meal that are easy to make and even easier to devour. Packed with all your favorite taco ingredients – from black beans and corn to jalapeño and melted cheese – these peppers are sure to become a new family favorite. So grab your apron and get ready to transform your leftovers into a meal that’s as beautiful as it is tasty!

Ingredients:

• 2-3 leftover tacos
• 4 bell peppers (any color)
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup corn kernels
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1/2 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Shredded cheese, for topping

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Take the leftover tacos and chop them up into small pieces.
3. Cut off the top of each bell pepper and remove the seeds.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped tacos, cooked rice, black beans, corn, tomato, onion, jalapeño, garlic, chili powder, and cumin. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Stuff each bell pepper with the taco mixture and place in a baking dish.
6. Top each pepper with shredded cheese.
7. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted.
8. Remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow the cheese to brown.
9. Serve hot and enjoy your healthy and delicious taco-stuffed peppers!

Note: Feel free to adjust the toppings to your liking

Taco Dip

Create a deliciously indulgent dip with leftover tacos that will have your taste buds doing a happy dance! Woohoo! With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this taco dip is perfect for game night, movie night, or any time you want a tasty snack. So grab some tortilla chips, get ready to dip, and let’s get started!

Ingredients:

• 2-3 leftover tacos
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup salsa
• Tortilla chips, for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Take the leftover tacos and chop them up into small pieces.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped tacos, cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and salsa. Mix well.
4. Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe baking dish.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the dip is hot and bubbly.
6. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
7. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy your delicious and easy taco dip!

Note: You can also add some chopped green onions, black olives, or jalapeños to the dip for extra flavor and texture.

Taco Grilled Cheese

This recipe takes your leftover tacos and turns them into a crazy filling and cheesy sandwich that is perfect for a quick and easy meal. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking skills, you can create a mouthwatering grilled cheese that will satisfy your cravings and use up your leftovers at the same time.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 leftover tacos
• 4 slices of bread
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or a Mexican blend)
• 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions:

1. Take the leftover tacos and chop them up into small pieces.
2. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
3. Spread 1 tablespoon of butter on one side of each slice of bread.
4. Place a slice of bread butter-side down on the skillet.
5. Add a layer of shredded cheese to the bread slice on the skillet, then add a layer of chopped tacos on top of the cheese.
6. Add another layer of shredded cheese on top of the tacos.
7. Place the other slice of bread on top of the cheese, butter-side up.
8. Cook until the bread is crispy and golden brown on one side, then carefully flip the sandwich over and cook until the other side is crispy and the cheese is melted.
9. Remove the sandwich from the skillet and let it cool for a few minutes.
10. Cut the sandwich in half and enjoy your delicious and indulgent leftover taco grilled cheese!

There you go, partner! You’ll never get sick of tacos now!

Ryan

Related

This post currently has 10 responses.

• GLORIA PATTERSON

  So many great ideals here!!! Its just me and I like making taco meat knowing I can break it down in freezer bags. This gives me lot of ideals on making different meals.

  Reply February 14, 2023 at 5:06 pm
• Maria E

  I like these ideas and I would make some of them even if I didn’t have leftover tacos. Taco stuffed peppers look delicioua.

  Reply February 15, 2023 at 12:50 pm
• Douglas

  Lots of great ideas to keep tacos from going to waste! I personally love taco soup!

  Reply February 15, 2023 at 1:46 pm
• Anne

  Thanks for these ideas! In particular, the Quesadillas and the Taco Stuffed Peppers appeal to me, and it’s a safe bet that I’ll actually be making extra taco filling just to have leftovers to make these dishes.

  Reply February 18, 2023 at 7:55 pm
• Sue E

  I have recreated a couple of the recipes that you’ve mentioned. I have to say though that the Taco Stuffed Peppers and the Taco Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are new recipes that I have to try! I did learn about the freezing of the taco meat. Thank you for sharing!

  Reply March 24, 2023 at 9:23 pm
• gloria patterson

  I made the Taco Grilled Cheese and it was so quick and easy. I had frozen some taco meat and just trying to figure out what I wanted. And then I remembered Taco Grilled cheese.

  Mouth watering good!!!

  Reply May 11, 2023 at 4:34 pm
• sheila ressel

  What awesome recipe ideas! Can’t wait to try the mexican pizza and the stuffed peppers. Yum!

  Reply June 6, 2023 at 1:43 pm
• Helga

  I needed this one! We always have leftover taco meat. That soup looks so good.

  Reply October 9, 2023 at 10:45 am
• gloria patterson

  I have been making hamburg and peppers in sauce. I love it but kinda bored on out to eat it. These have given me some good ideals. It is just me so easy to pull out a ziplock of beef & pepper but but what goes with it. Saw and read several things that would be quiock and easy for just me to make

  Reply October 13, 2023 at 6:39 pm
• Denise Low

  Thanks for sharing. I didn’t think about so many ways to us leftover tacos. I could eat tacos 3 days a week.

  Reply December 6, 2023 at 4:25 pm