Taco joes are a yummy twist on everyone’s favorite messy sandwich, the sloppy joes. Taco spice combined with the tangy flavors of a sloppy joe, these sandwiched are deliciously irresistible!
Next taco Tuesday switch things up and serve these instead of regular tacos! You’ll be the hit of the neighborhood.
Easy Taco Joes
This is an easy ground beef dinner recipe that you can put together and have on the table in just over 30 minutes. Perfect for those hectic nights when you’re running around in 25 different directions and still want to have a hot home-cooked meal that the whole family will love.
You’re going to want to put this recipe on dinner rotation stat!
Try my hearty sloppy joe casserole , Bisquick impossible taco pie, and my taco casserole next!
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How To Make Taco Joes Recipe
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Brown beef until there is no longer any pink.
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Remove cooked beef to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain skillet of all but 2 tablespoon oil.
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Saute onion in pan drippings, over medium heat, until translucent.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and bring the mixture to a simmer.
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Return cooked beef to skillet. Reduce heat and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.
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Scoop mixture out over hamburger buns and serve.
Ingredient You’ll Need
- Ground Beef: I use 80/20. Leaner cuts have less flavor and can be a bit drier.
- Onion: Yellow onions are my choice. You could also use a white onion which tends to be milder.
- Taco Seasoning: Using prepackaged taco seasoning to make this quick and easy. I like to make it kid-friendly by using a mild version.
- Salsa: I like mild salsa for this recipe. Again, keeping it kid-friendly!
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a little richness and depth of flavor.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This adds the necessary little bit of tang and smidge of fruitiness.
- Hamburger Buns: Any hamburger bun will work. I like brioche buns because they’re rich and a little sweet. My husband likes to use onion buns. The kids like them all!
- Brown Sugar: You can use either light or dark brown sugar.
Reheat + Storing + Freezing Tips
- How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? Leftovers store well. In fact, I think this taco sloppy joe recipe is even better tasting the day after it’s made. You can store your leftover meat mixture in the fridge, sealed, for up to four days.
- Can You Freeze This? Yes! Store the meat mixture in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the microwave or on the stove!
- Make-Ahead Tips: To make this recipe ahead of time, typically I will only make the meat/sauce component the day ahead. Then, the next day, reheat and assemble.
Optional Toppings For Your Taco Joes
The taco joe filling is very flavorful so these taste really great made without toppings. If you want to change things up, however, I would suggest sliced avocado, finely chopped red onion, or white onion, lettuce, or cheese.
Taco Sloppy Joes Serving Recommendations
I like to serve this with my cowboy caviar, It’s great served as a side salad or with chips for dipping! Mexican corn salad or try making the perfect Caesar salad and dress it with my incredibly easy Caesar mayonnaise dressing. It comes out perfectly thick and creamy every time.
Crunch corn chips are also great!
Variations + Substitutes, + Additions
- Ground Beef: This taco joes recipe calls for ground beef, but you can easily swap it for ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Cheese: Cheese is a nice addition. I like to top them with shredded cheddar cheese. Jack cheese or pepper jack is also equally delicious. If you add cheese, just pop them under the broiler for a minute or two to melt it.
- Make it Spicy: These Joe’s aren’t just for kids! If you’re serving these to adults you might like to add more spice. This can easily be done by adding red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, minced jalapeno to the onions when you saute them. You can also switch the mild taco seasoning and salsa for spicy versions.
- Fruit Salsa: Pineapple salsa instead of a tomato-based salsa can be a delicious variation with a sweet kick.
More Taco Recipes
- Steak Tacos
- Taco Pasta
- Dorito Taco Salad
- Pork Tacos
- Chicken Taco Soup
- Taco Rice
- Taco Lasagna
- Bisquick Taco Bake
Taco Joes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20
- 1/4 cup onion minced
- 1 package taco seasoning
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
- hamburger buns
Optional Toppings:
- shredded cheese
- sliced avocado
- sliced red onion
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil (1 tablespoon) in a 12-inch skillet. Brown beef (1 pound) until there is no longer any pink. Remove cooked beef to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain skillet of all but 2 tablespoon oil.
- Saute onion (1/4 cup) in pan drippings, over medium heat, until translucent. Return cooked beef to skillet. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat and continue to simmer for 30 minutes. Scoop mixture out over hamburger buns and serve.
Fans Also Made:
Notes
- Ground Beef: I use 80/20. Leaner cuts have less flavor and can be a bit drier.
- Onion: Yellow onions are my choice. You could also use a white onion which tends to be milder.
- Taco Seasoning: Using prepackaged taco seasoning to make this quick and easy. I like to make it kid-friendly by using a mild version.
- Salsa: I like mild salsa for this recipe. Again, keeping it kid-friendly!
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a little richness and depth of flavor.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This adds the necessary little bit of tang and smidge of fruitiness.
- Hamburger Buns: Any hamburger bun will work. I like brioche buns because they're rich and a little sweet. My husband likes to use onion buns. The kids like them all!
- Brown Sugar: You can use either light or dark brown sugar.
Love this recipe! Thank you 🙏
Thank you too, Megan! Enjoy 🙂
Very good!!
Thank you! I’m glad you like this 🙂 Enjoy!
I will definitely try this. Your sloppy joe recipe is now my family favorite. This one will, for sure!
Thank you so much, Mel! Enjoy 🙂