Mom's Homemade Taco Burgers

 A Simple, Flavorful Recipe That Brings Back Sweet Memories.

These homemade taco burgers are a nostalgic recipe from my mom that brings back memories of shopping trips we took together when I was growing up. We lived in a small town, so when we needed to do some serious shopping, we would make the two-hour drive to one of the bigger cities.

We would spend the day visiting some of our favorite stores, including TG&Y, K-Mart, and several thrift stores. Before heading home, we would do our grocery shopping and usually stop for something to eat at Taco John's or Taco Bell. Taco burgers and enchiladas were our usual choices, and to me, they were a real treat because eating out was something we rarely did.

Oftentimes we would simply eat in the car before starting the long drive home. It gave us a chance to relax, chat, and make sure we had everything we needed before we left the city. Looking back, those quiet meals together were just as special as the food.

I recently came across my mom's recipe, and it brought all those memories back. These taco burgers are made with seasoned ground beef, homemade taco sauce, cheese, lettuce, and onion, all piled onto a hamburger bun. They are a simple, filling meal with plenty of old-fashioned comfort food flavor. This is  on the supper menu tonight: taco burgers on homemade buns, refried beans, and Spanish rice.  

Ingredients:

Taco Sauce Ingredients
8 ounces canned tomato sauce
1/3 c. water
1 Tbs. white vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp. dried minced onions
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Beef Ingredients
1 1/3 pounds ground beef
1 onion, diced
2 jalapeños, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs. chili powder
3 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. seasoning salt
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. beef bouillon powder
1/4 tsp. sugar
3/4 to 1 c. water
2 Tbs. refried beans
4 white hamburger buns
Cheddar cheese, pepper jack or Colby Jack cheese, shredded
onions, diced 
lettuce, shredded

Directions:

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the tomato sauce, water, vinegar, chili powder, cumin, dried minced onion, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sugar, and cayenne pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and allow the sauce to cool to room temperature.

Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, jalapeños, and minced garlic. Cook, breaking the beef apart as it cooks, until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are tender.

Stir in the chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, seasoning salt, paprika, beef bouillon powder, sugar, water, and refried beans. Mix well until everything is thoroughly combined.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the excess moisture has cooked away. The mixture should remain moist but not watery.

Place the bottom half of each hamburger bun on a plate. Spoon a generous portion of the seasoned beef mixture onto each bun. Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of taco sauce over the beef. Top with shredded cheese, diced onion, and shredded lettuce. Place the top half of the bun over the toppings.

Serve immediately while warm.

Tips for the Best Success:

• Don't rush the taco sauce. Allowing it to simmer gives the seasonings time to blend and creates a more flavorful sauce.
• Cook off most of the excess liquid. The taco meat should be moist and flavorful without being so wet that it makes the bun soggy.
• Adjust the heat to your taste. Jalapeños and cayenne pepper both add heat, so you can reduce either one for a milder burger.
• Use sturdy buns. Homemade hamburger buns work wonderfully, but a good-quality store-bought bun will also hold up well to the juicy taco meat.
• Shred your own cheese if possible. It melts nicely over the hot beef and gives the burgers a fresh flavor.
• Make extra sauce. If you enjoy a saucier taco burger, having extra taco sauce at the table makes it easy for everyone to add more.

Variations and Substitutions:

• Make It Milder. Leave out the jalapeños and omit the cayenne pepper.
• Make It Spicier. Use hot jalapeños, add a little extra cayenne, or substitute pepper jack cheese for a little more heat.
• Try Ground Turkey. Ground turkey can be substituted for the ground beef. You may want to add a little extra seasoning since turkey has a milder flavor.
• Change the Cheese. Cheddar, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, and pepper jack all work well.
• Add More Toppings. Try diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, chopped green onions, or your favorite taco toppings.
• Use Homemade Buns.  If you enjoy baking, homemade hamburger buns make these taco burgers feel even more special—and they're especially fitting with this family recipe.

Serving Suggestions:

These taco burgers make a filling meal on their own, but they pair nicely with simple sides such as:

• Potato wedges or French fries
• Tortilla chips and salsa
• Refried beans
• Mexican-style rice
• Corn
• A simple green salad
• Coleslaw
• Fresh fruit

For a casual family dinner, set out the taco meat, sauce, cheese, lettuce, and onions and let everyone build their own taco burger.

How to Store:

• Refrigerate:  Store leftover taco meat and taco sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The taco meat and taco sauce will keep for about 3 to 4 days. 
• Reheating:  Reheat it in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave until heated through.
• Freezer:  Allow it to cool completely, place it in a freezer-safe container or bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the taco meat ahead of time?
Yes. The taco meat can be prepared a day or two ahead of time and refrigerated. Reheat it gently before assembling the burgers.

Can I freeze taco burger meat?
Yes. The cooked taco meat freezes well. Cool it completely before placing it in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.

Do I have to use jalapeños?
No. The jalapeños add flavor and heat, but you can leave them out if you prefer a milder taco burger.

Can I use a different type of ground meat?
Yes. Ground turkey or ground chicken can be substituted for ground beef, although the flavor will be slightly different.

Why are refried beans added to the meat?
The small amount of refried beans helps give the taco meat a thicker, cohesive texture while adding a little extra richness.

Can I use store-bought taco sauce?
You can, although the homemade sauce is part of what makes this recipe special. It is simple to prepare and lets you control the flavor and heat.

Can I make these with homemade hamburger buns?
Absolutely. Homemade buns are an especially nice choice for this recipe and make the meal feel even more homemade.