Turn last night’s dinner into a fiesta with these leftover Sloppy Joes tacos!
The hearty, beefy filling gets a fresh makeover with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and sharp cheddar cheese.
Stuff it in a crunchy shell or a warm tortilla. It’s a winner either way.
This is one easy dinner even picky eaters are guaranteed to devour!
Why You’ll Love These Leftover Sloppy Joes Tacos
Quick & Easy: Ready in about 15 minutes, you save time and energy by doctoring up leftovers. They’re perfect for busy weeknights and quick bites!
Favorite Food Mashup: Two classics come together for one mouthwatering meal.
Budget-Smart: Stretch your food budget by repurposing last night’s dinner into a new and delicious meal.
Customizable Toppings: Add your favorite taco toppings! Think avocado, sour cream, salsa, black olives, and hot sauce.
Ingredients
- Leftover Sloppy Joe Filling: The main filling for these hearty ground beef tacos.
- Taco Shells or Tortillas: Crispy shells, corn tortillas, or soft flour tortillas all work. Pick your favorite!
- Cheddar or Monterey Jack Cheese: Shredded cheese melts beautifully over the warm filling. Cheddar adds more bite, while Monterey Jack is more creamy.
- Lettuce, Tomatoes, and Red Onion: Classic taco fillings add freshness, flavor, and texture.
- Olives (Optional): Salty, briny olives complement the meaty filling.
- Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt: The cool, creamy topping balances the robust beef filling.
- Avocado (Optional): Creamy avocado takes things up a notch. Add slices or mash it into a quick guacamole.
- Fresh Cilantro: Sprinkle it on top for a burst of freshness.
How to Make Leftover Sloppy Joes Tacos
Breathe new life into leftovers with this Mexican-inspired dish! It’s an easy meal that gets dinner on the table quickly.
1. Rehear the mixture. Reheat the leftover sloppy joe mixture until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Prep your taco toppings. Shred the lettuce, dice the tomatoes and onions, and slice the avocado.
3. Heat the shells. Warm the taco shells in a dry skillet or in the oven (wrapped in foil).
4. Fill the tacos. Spoon the reheated sloppy joe mixture into each taco shell. Top with shredded cheese, then add the lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and olives.
5. Add the toppings. Try a dollop of sour cream, sliced avocado, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
6. Serve the tacos. Serve warm, and enjoy.
Tips for the Best Leftover Sloppy Joes Tacos
If you want to make your tacos even more irresistible, follow these tips.
- Make ‘em crispy. For a crispy taco shell, lightly fry the tortillas in a bit of oil until golden before filling them.
- Put in some elbow grease. Use freshly grated cheese for the best results. It tastes better and melts more readily than the pre-shredded stuff.
- Use a slotted spoon. When transferring the Sloppy Joe mixture, use a slotted spoon to prevent excess liquid from making the tacos soggy.
- Brighten them up. Squeeze a lime wedge over the assembled tacos to brighten the flavors and make them pop.
- Mix things up! Try other cheeses like queso fresco or pepper jack. Or, serve with a side like black beans, queso dip, roasted veggies, or chips and salsa.
How to Store
Here’s how to keep your leftovers fresh.
To Store: Place the leftover mixture and toppings in separate air-tight containers. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
To Freeze: Transfer the cooled mixture to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To Reheat: Reheat the mixture in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until warmed through. Add a splash of water if needed. Or, microwave in short intervals, stirring between each, until heated.
Leftover Sloppy Joes Tacos
4
servings10
minutes5
minutes521
kcalThese leftover Sloppy Joes tacos are too good to pass up! The hearty ground beef filling and tasty toppings are a match made in heaven.
Ingredients
2 cups leftover Sloppy Joe filling
8 small taco shells or tortillas (flour or corn)
1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded lettuce
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1/4 cup finely diced red onion
1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
1 avocado, sliced or mashed (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, reheat the leftover Sloppy Joe mixture. Add a splash of water or beef broth if it feels too thick. Stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
- While the filling is warming, prep your taco toppings: shred the lettuce, dice the tomatoes and onions, and slice the avocado.
- Heat the taco shells or tortillas in a dry skillet or in the oven (wrapped in foil) until warm.
- Spoon the reheated Sloppy Joe mixture into each taco shell. Sprinkle with shredded cheese, then layer with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, and any additional toppings.
- Add a dollop of sour cream, sliced avocado, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
