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Leftover Taco Meat Bowls (30 Minutes or Less)

These Leftover Taco Meat Bowls are a great way to use up your leftover meat. This post also includes instructions for how to make and season your own ground beef using a homemade spice blend.

keto low carb tacos in a white bowl with cilantro lime cauliflower rice, salsa, guacamole, and salsa
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This post was originally published in 2019. It has since been updated.

How to Use Leftover Taco Meat

Typically when I make taco meat it’s for hard or soft shelled tacos for a weeknight dinner. Then, I’m left with what to do with the meat. Pairing the meat with other sides and making it into a bowl is awesome. Here are a few other things you can pair with it.

Leftover Nachos
Keto Taco Soup
Air Fryer Taco Egg Rolls

Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Slow Cooker Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup
Roasted Creamy Poblano Soup

chopped onions, ground beef, shredded cheese, and taco seasonings

How to Make Taco Bowls

1. You will need chopped garlic, chopped onions, ground beef, and the spices noted above.

2. Cook the onions and garlic until fragrant.

3. Add the ground beef with the seasonings. Break down the beef and cook until it is no longer pink.

4. Pair the cooked beef with cauliflower rice

4 photos in one collage, chopped onions and garlic in a skillet, raw ground beef in a skillet, cooked ground beef in a skillet, and rice cauliflower with cilantro

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Combine the following: chili powder, cumin, smoked paprikagarlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper. I like to add red pepper as well for additional spice. The serving size of each ingredient is listed in the recipe card below.

keto low carb tacos in a white bowl with cilantro lime cauliflower rice, salsa, guacamole, and salsa

What to Pair With the Bowls

keto low carb tacos in a white bowl with cilantro lime cauliflower rice, salsa, guacamole, and salsa

How to Store Leftovers

A great question is, How long is it good for? According to the USDA, leftover meat will last in the fridge for 3-4 days. It has to be properly covered and sealed.

Freezer Tips

You can freeze leftover meat in airtight containers or bags for up to 4 months. Prior to freezing, make sure you have drained all excess fat and wait until the beef reaches room temperature. Do not freeze the beef while it’s hot. Defrost in the fridge overnight when you are ready to use. Check out my tips on How to Freeze Cooked Ground Beef here.

keto low carb tacos in a white bowl with cilantro lime cauliflower rice, salsa, guacamole, and salsa

Can You Use Chicken?

Absolutely! I love to use chicken for tacos and bowls to switch it up. You can chicken breasts or chicken thighs. I find that chicken thighs are a lot more juicy and typically have more flavor. Chicken breasts will make it easy for shredded chicken if that’s what you’re looking for.

For both chicken breasts or thighs, you can cook them in the Instant Pot along with 1 cup of broth for 10 Minutes on High-Pressure Cooking. Allow the steam to release naturally for 10 minutes.

You can also use either of those in the slow cooker for 8 hours on Low.

Fully cooked rotisserie chicken is also a great option!

cilantro lime cauliflower rice in a white bowl with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole
keto taco bowl with ground beef and jalapenos in a white bowl

Homemade Queso Cheese Dip
Smoked Salsa Recipe
Pork Belly Tacos
Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
Keto Spinach and Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken
Keto Peanut Butter Cookies
Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
Cheesy Taco Pasta
Southwest Salad Recipe
Steak Stir Fry

I love to make this using my Homemade Taco Seasoning.

keto low carb tacos in a white bowl with cilantro lime cauliflower rice, salsa, guacamole, and salsa
Print Pin
5 from 20 votes

Leftover Taco Meat Bowls

These Leftover Taco Meat Bowls are a great way to use up your leftover meat. This post also includes instructions for how to make and season the ground beef for the recipe using a homemade spice blend.
Save this recipe here.
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American, Mexican
Keyword how to make taco bowls, leftover taco meat bowls, taco meat bowls
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 190kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup chopped onions
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Instructions

  • Get the instructions for Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice here.
  • Place a skillet on medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, chopped onions, and garlic. 
  • Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Add the ground beef and all of the homemade taco seasonings.
  • Use a meat chopper or spoon to break down the ground beef. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the beef is fully cooked and no longer pink.
  • Drain any excess fat.
  • Pair the taco beef with the Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice and any optional keto-friendly toppings.

Video

Notes

Macros With Cauliflower Rice:
Calories: 231       Fat: 11G      Net Carbs: 6G      Protein:  26G
You can substitute beef for chicken.
For both chicken breasts or thighs, you can cook them in the Instant Pot along with 1 cup of broth for 10 Minutes on High-Pressure Cooking. Allow the steam to release naturally for 10 minutes.
You can also use either of those in the slow cooker for 8 hours on Low.
Fully cooked rotisserie chicken is also a great option!

Topping Ideas

  • Salsa
  • Salsa Verde
  • Shredded Cheese
  • Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
  • Jalapenos
  • Fresh Mixed Greens
  • Spinach
  • Everything but the Elote Seasoning from Trader Joe’s
 
Recipe Tools Used in this RecipeAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 8g
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Nutrition DataMacros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Recipe Rating




Diana P

Sunday 11th of September 2022

Love this recipe. It’s super quick to make. It satisfies the picky eaters as they can add whatever they like. It’s a great option for when you have friends and family over. Everyone is happy.

staysnatched

Sunday 11th of September 2022

I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

Amanda G.

Thursday 3rd of February 2022

So good!!!! I used turkey meat and added bell peppers and corn, refried beans and spinach. Topped on your instant pot brown rice with some hot sauce and cheese, it really hit the spot. Chipotle and qdoba who?!

staysnatched

Friday 4th of February 2022

haha! I love to hear it.

Nek C

Thursday 27th of January 2022

I’ve been enjoying making and eating the low carb meals Brandi offers. This was SO good and gave me the taco craving I had. The seasoning?! Say no more…happy to know we don’t need store bought items for much.

staysnatched

Sunday 30th of January 2022

That's what I love, too!

Valerie Smith

Wednesday 12th of January 2022

This was so good and a quick recipe to prepare! Thanks Brandi. I made mine plant base this time with Beyond Meat, your cilantro cauliflower rice and Daiya and Violife cheddar cheese shreds. Also added black beans? tomatoes and cilantro. My family loved it including my 17 month old grandson. Definitely will be making this again...next time using real cheese..lol

staysnatched

Thursday 13th of January 2022

haha yes!

Marissa J

Thursday 6th of January 2022

I cooked this meal today and OMG it was DELICIOUS!!! This was my first time using cauliflower rice and my first time making a taco bowl instead of tacos. I will NEVER make tacos with a shell again!! I was so surprised it tasted so good. I did add some pinto beans, olives and onions because I’m extra. To top it off, this is low carb…..WINNER!!! You definitely need to make this. You won’t regret it!!

staysnatched

Sunday 9th of January 2022

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!