How to Use Leftovers for Mexican Food

The eternal question of what to do with leftovers, especially leftover meat, can be answered many ways. If you like Mexican food, the solution is easy. Much Mexican food in the United States utilizes the same ingredients, prepared in slightly different ways. So if you are always up for soft tacos, hard tacos, tostadas or quesadillas (and you keep Mexican ingredients on hand) it is easy to put that leftover chicken or beef to use. For an easy meal, just set out condiments in bowls and let the family help themselves to their favorites.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Leftover chicken or beef
• Tortillas (corn or flour)
• Store-bought tostada or taco shells
• Shredded iceberg lettuce or cabbage
• Chopped purple onion
• Salsa
• Chopped cilantro
• Sliced avocado or guacamole
• Grated cheddar, Monterey Jack or Cotija (Mexican) cheese
• One can refried or whole beans (black or pinto)
• Sour cream or Mexican sour cream
• Vegetable or olive oil
• Chili powder (optional)

1. Prepare condiments for table. This will be like a taco bar. Set out bowls of lettuce or cabbage, onions, salsa, cilantro, avocado and cheese and sour cream.
2. Heat one can beans in skillet or saucepan. For refried beans, add a dash of water and heat on medium low, stirring occasionally. For whole beans, rinse and heat on medium low. Mash with potato masher if desired.
3. Reheat shredded chicken or crumbled ground beef in microwave or in skillet, with a little water. If using skillet, cover on low heat to keep meat moist. Add chili powder if desired.
4. For soft tacos, heat tortillas wrapped in damp cloth or paper towel in microwave for 30 seconds. Keep wrapped in cloth or tortilla warmer on table.
5. For quesadillas, heat pairs of tortillas in one teaspoon oil on medium low heat with thinly sliced cheese sandwiched in between. You may heat many at once this way. Just make sure to watch them and rotate or flip as needed. This should take five to ten minutes.
6. For hard tacos or tostadas, spread on baking sheet and heat on low (200-250 degree) heat in oven for 5 minutes.
7. Pour beans and meat into separate bowls and set on table. Arrange tortillas or shells on table with other condiments. Help yourselves and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• Leftover fish or shrimp would also work with these recipes.
• Yellow or white onion can be used instead of purple.
• Be flexible. Use whatever you have available.