Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos: A Deliciously Cozy Twist
Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos: A Deliciously Cozy Twist
Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal
As a busy food blogger, I’m always on the lookout for quick, flavor-packed recipes that satisfy my cravings without a ton of fuss. And let me tell you, these Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos have become a total staple in my household. I first came up with this genius mashup on a particularly hectic Tuesday night when I was craving a juicy burger, but didn’t have the time or energy to go through the whole shebang of buns, toppings, and sides.
I had a pack of ground beef in the fridge, some bacon that needed using up, and a random assortment of taco fixings leftover from Taco Tuesday the week prior. And that’s when it hit me – why not combine my burger cravings with the ease and portability of tacos? Within 30 minutes, I had a platter of the most deliciously messy, flavor-packed Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos ready to devour. My husband and kids went absolutely wild for them, and now it’s a recipe we make on repeat.
These Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos are the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and satisfying, but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. The beefy, cheesy, bacon-y filling is so incredibly flavorful, and the soft taco shells make it easy to enjoy on-the-go. Plus, the toppings are totally customizable to suit your personal tastes. It’s the ultimate fusion of two of my all-time favorite foods – burgers and tacos!
Why These Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos Are So Good
There are so many reasons why I’m obsessed with this recipe. First of all, the flavor combo is out-of-this-world good. The savory, umami-packed beef and bacon pair so perfectly with the melty cheddar cheese, cool lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and creamy, tangy sauce. It’s like a bacon cheeseburger, but in taco form!
But beyond the taste, these Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos are also incredibly easy to make. The whole thing comes together in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect choice for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings. And the best part is, you can customize the toppings to your heart’s content. Want to add pickles or onions? Go for it! Prefer lettuce wraps over taco shells? No problem! It’s a super flexible and forgiving recipe.
Ingredients for Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 12 taco shells or soft tortillas
- Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles (optional toppings)
Hailee’s Tip: I always use 93% lean ground beef for these tacos to keep them nice and healthy, but you can use whatever fat content you prefer. Just make sure to drain the excess fat from the pan after cooking the beef.
Optional Add-Ins and Variations
The beauty of these Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos is that they’re super customizable! Here are some tasty ways to switch things up:
- Spicy Version: Add a diced jalapeño or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture.
- Southwest Style: Top the tacos with corn, black beans, avocado, and a drizzle of chipotle mayo.
- Bacon Cheeseburger Salad: Skip the taco shells and serve the beef and bacon mixture over a bed of lettuce for a low-carb option.
- Breakfast Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos: Top the tacos with a fried egg for a delicious breakfast twist.
How to Make Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos
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- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and crumble once cooled.
- In the same skillet, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Hailee’s Tip: Letting the beef get a nice sear on the bottom of the pan will give it tons of flavor. Don’t stir it too much!
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- Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the cooked beef and stir to combine. Add 2-3 tablespoons of water and let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese until the cheese is melted and everything is well combined.
What I Messed Up At First: I used to just dump all the taco seasoning in at once, which made the filling way too salty. Now I add it a little at a time and taste as I go.
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- Spoon the bacon cheeseburger mixture into the taco shells or tortillas. Top with your desired toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles.
Hailee’s Tip: I like to set up a little taco bar with all the fixings so everyone can customize their tacos exactly how they like them.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The key to perfectly delicious Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos is all in the preparation. Here are a few common mistakes to steer clear of:
- Not draining the excess fat: If you don’t drain the fat from the beef after cooking, your tacos can end up greasy and soggy.
- Overcooking the beef: Ground beef can go from perfectly browned to dry and crumbly in the blink of an eye. Keep an eye on it and take it off the heat as soon as it’s no longer pink.
- Using the wrong taco shells: Soft tortillas or taco shells work best for these Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos. Hard shells are more likely to crack and break when you try to stuff them.
My Tested Substitutions
While the classic bacon, beef, and cheddar combo is hard to beat, there are a few ingredient swaps you can try:
- Ground turkey or chicken: For a leaner protein, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. The flavor won’t be quite as rich, but it will still be delicious.
- Pepper jack cheese: If you want a little extra kick, pepper jack cheese is a great substitute for the cheddar.
- Corn tortillas: Soft corn tortillas work just as well as flour for these tacos, if you prefer a gluten-free option.
Hailee’s Tip: I don’t recommend skipping the bacon – it really makes these tacos extra special! But if you need a meatless option, you can leave it out and add some extra cheese or avocado instead.
How to Customize Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos
One of the best things about these Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos is that they’re super versatile. Here are some ideas for customizing them:
- For Parties: Serve the beef and bacon mixture in a slow cooker or chafing dish so guests can build their own tacos.
- As a Meal Prep: Cook the beef and bacon ahead of time, then reheat and assemble the tacos when you’re ready to eat.
- For Kids: Let the little ones get creative by setting out a taco bar with all the fixings and letting them build their own.
- For Diets: Use lettuce wraps instead of taco shells for a low-carb option, or serve the filling over a salad for a keto-friendly meal.
How to Serve Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos
These Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos make the perfect easy weeknight dinner, but they’re also great for casual gatherings and parties. I love to serve them with a side of crispy fries or onion rings for the ultimate comfort food feast. They also pair beautifully with a fresh salad or some roasted veggies to balance out the richness.
And let’s not forget the toppings! I always set up a little taco bar with all the fixings – shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced onions, pickles, sour cream, and my secret sauce (a blend of mayo, ketchup, and a touch of mustard). That way, everyone can customize their tacos exactly how they like them.
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
One of the best things about these Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos is how easy they are to meal prep! The beef and bacon mixture can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just reheat the filling and assemble the tacos.
The assembled tacos will also keep in the fridge for 2-3 days, though the shells may start to get a bit soggy. For best results, I recommend storing the filling, toppings, and shells separately and assembling right before serving.
And if you have any leftovers, the beef and bacon mixture freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
Nutritional Information
Approximate nutrition per serving (2 tacos):
- Calories: 400
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 30g
- Fat: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
Final Thoughts
If you’re a bacon cheeseburger lover like me, then these Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos are about to become your new favorite go-to meal. They’re quick, easy, endlessly customizable, and most importantly, absolutely delicious. I hope you and your family enjoy them as much as we do!
Follow me on HaileeRecipes on Pinterest for more tasty recipe inspiration.
Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos: A Deliciously Cozy Twist
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In A Large Skillet Over Medium-High Heat, Cook The Bacon Until Crispy, About 5-7 Minutes. Transfer The Bacon To A Paper Towel-Lined Plate And Crumble Once Cooled.
- In The Same Skillet, Cook The Ground Beef, Breaking It Up With A Wooden Spoon As It Cooks, Until No Longer Pink, About 5-7 Minutes. Drain Any Excess Fat.
- Sprinkle The Taco Seasoning Over The Cooked Beef And Stir To Combine. Add 2-3 Tablespoons Of Water And Let The Mixture Simmer For 2-3 Minutes Until Thickened.
- Remove The Skillet From Heat And Stir In The Crumbled Bacon And Shredded Cheddar Cheese Until The Cheese Is Melted And Everything Is Well Combined.
- Spoon The Bacon Cheeseburger Mixture Into The Taco Shells Or Tortillas. Top With Your Desired Toppings Like Lettuce, Tomatoes, Onions, And Pickles.
