What to Do With Leftover Ground Beef
Leftover browned ground beef or taco meat is a head start on another dinner. These ideas use cooked beef; if you have raw ground beef to use up, cook it within 1 to 2 days of buying it, or freeze it.
First: store it safely
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking (1 hour if it's above 90掳F outside or in a hot car). Divide big batches into shallow containers so they cool fast.
- Keep the fridge at 40掳F (4掳C) or below.
- Eat cooked ground beef within 3 to 4 days in the fridge (USDA).
- Freeze cooked beef for about 2 to 3 months for best quality.
- Reheat to 165掳F, until steaming hot.
For more detail, see the FoodSafety.gov cold storage chart.
1. Stuffed peppers
Mix cooked beef with rice, sauce and cheese, fill peppers, and bake: Stuffed Bell Peppers.
2. Loaded nachos
Scatter taco meat over chips with beans and cheese and bake: Loaded Nachos.
3. Tacos round two
Reheat with a splash of water and serve in warm tortillas: Beef Tacos.
4. Baked pasta
Stir cooked beef into the sauce for Baked Ziti.
5. Quesadillas
Taco meat and cheese in a crisp tortilla, like Black Bean Quesadillas with beef added.
6. Chili
Add it to a pot of beans, tomatoes and spices. Follow Turkey Chili and add the cooked beef at the end.
Crave recipes that use it
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Questions
How long does cooked ground beef last?
3 to 4 days in the fridge, according to USDA guidance.
Can I freeze cooked taco meat?
Yes. Cool it, freeze flat in a bag, and use within about 2 to 3 months for best quality. Thaw in the fridge.
How long can raw ground beef stay in the fridge?
1 to 2 days. Cook or freeze it by then.