You ever stand in front of your fridge, just staring, hoping a dinner idea will magically appear? You’re stuck between making burgers again or having the same old tacos for the third time this month.
I’ve been there. A lot. That’s how this recipe was born, right out of total dinner boredom. I’m going to show you how to make Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos, and trust me, it’s about to become your new favorite thing. It’s ridiculously easy and tastes like something you’d get at a cool food truck.
The Big Idea: Cheeseburgers Meet Tacos
So, what are we even talking about here? It’s simple, really. We’re taking all the best parts of a juicy bacon cheeseburger—the seasoned ground beef, the crispy bacon, the melty cheese, and that secret sauce—and piling it all into a taco shell.
It sounds a little weird, but the first time you take a bite, it all makes sense. You get the crunch from the taco shell, the savory beef, the salty bacon, and the creamy, tangy sauce. It’s a perfect combination that just works. This isn’t just dinner; it’s a fun meal everyone will actually get excited about.
What You’ll Need
Okay, let’s get our ingredients lined up. Don’t let the list scare you; most of this stuff is probably already in your kitchen. Getting everything out on the counter first is a trick I learned in busy kitchens. It makes everything go so much smoother.
For the Taco Meat & Bacon
This is the heart of the dish. The kind of ground beef you use matters a little bit. I like an 80/20 blend because the fat adds a ton of flavor, and we’re going to drain it anyway.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ground Beef (80/20) | 1 lb |
| Thick-Cut Bacon | 8 slices |
| Yellow Onion | ½ cup, chopped |
| Garlic | 2 cloves, minced |
| Worcestershire Sauce | 1 tbsp |
| Salt | ½ tsp |
| Black Pepper | ¼ tsp |
For the Special Burger Sauce
This sauce is what ties everything together. It’s that familiar, tangy flavor you get at a classic burger joint. And it’s so easy to make, you’ll never buy the bottled stuff again. I’m a big fan of Duke’s mayonnaise for this, it just has a better tang.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Mayonnaise (Duke’s) | ½ cup |
| Ketchup | 2 tbsp |
| Dill Pickle Relish | 1 tbsp |
| Yellow Mustard | 1 tsp |
| Paprika | ½ tsp |
| Garlic Powder | ¼ tsp |
For Assembling the Tacos
Here’s where you can get creative. These are just my favorite classic cheeseburger toppings. Feel free to add or subtract whatever you like!
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Shredded Cheddar Cheese | 1½ cups |
| Flour Tortillas (soft) | 8-10 shells |
| Shredded Iceberg Lettuce | 2 cups |
| Diced Tomatoes | 1 cup |
| Dill Pickle Slices | ½ cup |
| Sesame Seeds (optional) | 1 tbsp |
The Tools for the Job
You don’t need any fancy equipment for this. Just the basics.
- Large Skillet: A 12-inch one is perfect for cooking the beef.
- Second Skillet or Baking Sheet: For cooking the bacon. I actually prefer the baking sheet method for less mess.
- Spatula: For breaking up the ground beef.
- Knife and Cutting Board: For all your chopping needs.
- Small Bowl: For mixing up that awesome sauce.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: To keep our flavors balanced.
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
I’ve made these tacos more times than I can count, and I’ve made a few mistakes along the way. Here are a few secrets to make sure yours come out perfect on the first try.
- Get the Bacon REALLY Crispy. The texture of crispy bacon against the soft beef is everything. The best way to do this without making a huge mess is to bake it. Just lay the slices on a baking sheet lined with foil and bake at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes. No splattering grease, and it comes out perfectly flat and crispy every time.
- Don’t Overcook the Ground Beef. This is a big one. You want the beef to be juicy, not dry and crumbly. Cook it just until it’s no longer pink, then drain the fat. It will continue to cook a little bit from the residual heat. Overcooked ground beef is the fastest way to a sad taco.
- Toast Your Tortillas. This little step takes about 30 seconds per tortilla but makes a huge difference. You can do this right over a gas stove flame for a few seconds on each side, or in a dry, hot skillet. It makes them more flexible, brings out the flavor, and keeps them from getting soggy as fast.
Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions
Alright, time for the fun part. We’ll do this in stages: cook the meats, make the sauce, and then put it all together.
Step 1: Cook the Bacon
Like I said in the pro tips, I like doing this in the oven. Lay your 8 slices of bacon on a foil-lined baking sheet. Pop it into a 400°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or until it’s as crispy as you like it. When it’s done, move the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once it’s cool, chop it up into small pieces. Try not to eat it all before it makes it to the tacos.
Step 2: Make the Special Sauce
While the bacon is in the oven, you can whip up the sauce. Grab that small bowl. Add the ½ cup of mayonnaise, 2 tbsp of ketchup, 1 tbsp of pickle relish, 1 tsp of mustard, and the spices. Stir it all together until it’s smooth and has a nice pinkish color. Cover it and stick it in the fridge to let the flavors hang out and get to know each other.
Step 3: Brown the Ground Beef
Get your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 1 lb of ground beef and the ½ cup of chopped onion. Use your spatula to break the meat up into small crumbles. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until the beef is no longer pink.
Step 4: Flavor the Meat
Once the beef is cooked, carefully drain off the excess grease. Return the skillet to the stove and turn the heat down to low. Add the 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce, ½ tsp of salt, and ¼ tsp of black pepper. Stir it all together and let it cook for just one more minute until the garlic smells amazing. Then turn off the heat.
Step 5: Warm the Tortillas
Don’t skip this! Warm your tortillas one by one in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 20-30 seconds per side. You just want them soft and pliable. Stack them on a plate and cover them with a towel to keep them warm.
Step 6: Assemble Your Masterpiece
This is it. Lay out a warm tortilla. Sprinkle a little shredded cheddar cheese down the middle. Add a big spoonful of the seasoned ground beef. Top it with a sprinkle of that crispy chopped bacon.
Then, add your fresh toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a few pickle slices. Drizzle a generous amount of that special sauce over everything. For that final burger touch, sprinkle a few sesame seeds on top. Fold it up and get ready.
Substitutions and Variations
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to change things up. Here are a few ideas.
- Different Meat: Ground turkey or chicken work great. You might need to add a little oil to the pan since they’re leaner.
- Go Veggie: You can use plant-based crumbles instead of ground beef. Just follow the package directions for cooking.
- Cheese Please: Swap the cheddar for American cheese for that classic melty burger feel, or try pepper jack for a little kick.
- Low-Carb Style: Ditch the tortillas and serve the meat and topping mixture over a bed of lettuce for a killer cheeseburger salad.
- Spice It Up: Add a few dashes of hot sauce to the special sauce or some sliced jalapeños as a topping.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Life gets busy, I get it. You can totally prep parts of this meal ahead of time to make dinner a breeze.
Make-Ahead Plan
You can cook the ground beef mixture and the bacon up to 3 days in advance. Just store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge. The special sauce can also be made ahead and will actually taste even better after a day. You can also chop all your veggies and store them in the fridge. When it’s time to eat, all you have to do is reheat the meat and warm the tortillas.
Dealing with Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store everything in separate containers. If you store the assembled tacos, they will get soggy and nobody wants that. The meat, bacon, sauce, and toppings should all be kept apart in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for about 3 days. To reheat, just warm the meat in a skillet or the microwave.
Meal Pairing and Other Ideas
Wondering what to serve with these tacos? Think classic burger joint sides.
- Fries: Waffle fries, crinkle-cut fries, or sweet potato fries are all amazing choices.
- Onion Rings: A perfect crunchy side.
- Simple Salad: A little side salad with a light vinaigrette can cut through the richness of the tacos.
- Drinks: A cold beer, a classic soda, or even a milkshake would be perfect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I use hard taco shells?
Ans: You absolutely can! Just be aware they might crack a bit with all the loaded toppings, but the crunch is amazing.
Q2. My sauce tastes too much like mayo. What did I do wrong?
Ans: You didn’t do anything wrong! Taste is personal. Just add a little more ketchup or a tiny squeeze of lemon juice to balance it out.
Q3. Is this recipe good for a party?
Ans: It’s one of the best party foods! You can set up a taco bar with all the components in separate bowls and let everyone build their own. It’s fun and super easy on you.
Q4. How do I keep the ground beef from being greasy?
Ans: The key is to drain it really well after you cook it. I like to tip the pan and use a spoon to hold the meat back while I pour the grease into a can (never down the drain!).
Wrapping Up
See? That wasn’t so hard. You just turned two classic meals into one incredible dinner that didn’t take all night to make. This recipe is all about having fun in the kitchen and making food that makes people happy.
Now it’s your turn. Give these Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Tacos a try this week. I promise, your family will thank you. When you do, come back and leave a comment below. I’d love to hear how they turned out or if you came up with any cool variations of your own
