Taco Braid
This Easy Taco Braid uses store bought pizza dough, seasoned taco beef, refried beans, cheese and salsa to create the most delicious family dinner!
A FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINNER RECIPE
This Easy Taco Braid is one of our family favorite dinners. It’s simple to prepare and easy to serve up. It’s also one that everyone can jump in and help prepare. This is a fun recipe to switch up Taco Tuesday and it can easily be doubled for larger families. It also freezes well so you can make one now and freeze one for later!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Of course! Just make sure you roll it out large enough to be able to braid it. If you need a recipe, try my homemade pizza dough recipe.
You really can add any of your favorite taco fillings to this taco braid. Different cheeses can certainly be used depending on your preference. Try adding some pico de gallo, diced jalapeños (if you like more heat), or even some sour cream and diced onions mixed in with the meat mixture.
You could even take this to a more breakfast type of level and instead of using taco ingredients, add eggs, sausage, hash browns, etc and make and turn a breakfast pizza into a Breakfast Braid!
Nope, you can be creative here. Chorizo would be delicious! You can use ground chicken, ground turkey, ground pork, or even seasoned shredded chicken, or skirt steak that you chop up in small bite size pieces. Whatever meat you use, it needs to be cooked before adding it to the braid. If you aren’t using ground meat, you may need to season different and cook to a different temp or length of time. Adjust as you see fit.
Taco braid is really a whole meal in one. However, if you really want a side dish you could serve with French fries, cilantro lime rice, Mexican rice, taco rice, guacamole or chips and salsa!
Any leftover taco braid can be stored in a covered container for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen. Wrap very well and place in a freezer-safe ziploc bag.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- refrigerated pizza crust– you could also use homemade pizza dough, and some people have tired this with crescent dough and liked it because it added a bit of sweetness. You would want to use the crescent roll dough sheet though. I haven’t tested it myself.
- ground beef– check out the FAQ section if you don’t want to use ground beef.
- taco seasoning– using store bought seasoning, or making your own Homemade Taco Seasoning are both good options.
- water
- refried beans – feel free to use your favorite canned version, or make your own Homemade Refried Beans. Obviously if you don’t like refried beans, just leave them out. You could also mix them in with the taco ground beef.
- salsa – I love Herdez salsa. You could use a tomatillo salsa as well.
- shredded cheddar cheese – you can shred fresh off the block or grab the bagged stuff.
- melted butter
- your favorite toppings: sour cream, diced tomatoes, lettuce, etc. – I also use diced tomatoes inside the taco braid as well but that is optional.
HOW TO MAKE A TACO BRAID:
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown and crumble ground beef. Drain excess grease. Add the taco seasoning and water and mix until well incorporated. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 – 7 minutes until thickened.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place the refrigerated pizza dough on a large piece of parchment paper and roll out the dough so that it measures 10×15 inches. You can spread it out with your hands as well. Whatever is easiest for you. Carefully transfer the parchment onto a large, rimmed baking sheet. With a pizza cutter (or sharp knife), make slices (about 1 1/2 inches wide and 3 inches long) along both long sides of the dough.
Place refried beans into microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 45 seconds until soft enough to spread. Evenly spread refried beans down the center of the dough. Top beans with seasoned ground beef down the center of the dough.
Evenly spread salsa on top of ground beef. Then add shredded cheese and diced tomatoes.
Beginning at one end of the braid, fold the end up and wrap the first two slices over to secure it. Repeat the wrapping with the remaining slices just until the last two. Fold the remaining end up and wrap the last two slices over it to secure. Gently brush the top and side with the melted butter.
Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, until golden brown. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Cover with chopped lettuce and tomato, if desired.
Serve with sour cream and taco sauce.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
- Taco Pizza
- Taco Pie
- Bisquick Taco Casserole
- Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
- Taco Pasta Salad
- Cornbread Taco Bake
- Dorito Taco Casserole
- Taco Bake
- Doritos Taco Salad
- Navajo (Fry Bread) Tacos
- Crock Pot Taco Soup
- Warm Taco Bean Dip
- Taco Crescent Ring
- Dorito Walking Tacos
- Taco Rice
- Taco Potatoes
Post originally published: March 2017
Updated photos and republished: May 2024 (Note: the original post had a giveaway that has now ended.)
Taco Braid
Ingredients
- 13.8 ounce tube refrigerated pizza crust
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1.25 ounce packet taco seasoning
- ¾ cup water
- 1 cup refried beans
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend shredded cheese)
- 2 cups finely diced tomatoes, divided use
- 2 Tablespoons melted butter
- chopped lettuce, for serving (optional)
- sour cream and salsa, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown and crumble ground beef. Drain excess grease.
- Add the taco seasoning and water and mix until well incorporated. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 – 7 minutes until thickened.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place the refrigerated pizza dough on a large piece of parchment paper roll out the dough so that it measures 10 X 15 inches.
- With a pizza cutter (or sharp knife), make slices (1 -1/2 inch thick and 3 inches long) along both long sides of the dough.
- Place refried beans into microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 45 seconds until soft enough to spread. Evenly spread refried beans down the center of the dough.
- Top beans with seasoned ground beef down the center of the dough.
- Evenly spread salsa on top of ground beef. Then add shredded cheese and diced tomato.
- Beginning at one end of the braid, fold the end up and wrap the first two slices over to secure it. Repeat the wrapping with the remaining slices just until the last two.
- Fold the remaining end up and wrap the last two slices over it to secure.
- Gently brush the top and side with the melted butter.
- Carefully transfer the parchment onto a large, rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, until golden brown.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Cover with chopped lettuce and tomato, if desired. Serve with sour cream and taco sauce.
Video
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Love it. All time favorite
Need to substitute beans,do you have any suggestions.
This is an awesome recipe! You can’t go wrong with this and just as good the next day!
Had a few friends over impromptu, and needed something quick to put together for munching.. Made this and it was a huge hit – so much so that I had to throw bagel bites in the oven for the kids because the adults weren’t going to share! Thank you for another great recipe!!
Favorite Family Meal To Make Together Is Tacos With Rice And Beans.
We like to make pizza together.
We like to make baked ziti together!
Our favorite meal to make as a family, tacos and burritos. We all get to create them differently and it’s always a fun night!
I like oven baked macaroni and cheese with that golden brown layer of cheese on top. Our kids like when we make pizza because they get to decorate their own little pie.
We like making individual pizzas so everyone has their favorite toppings.
We love making baked macaroni and cheese with buttered breadcrumbs on top!
Yummy! This looks delicious and it looks like the whole family had fun making it too! I love it when the little man helps me in the kitchen. He loves to help bake. Measuring and dumping are his specialties!
We love making different kinds of soups together! We like to make them on the weekends so we have food during the busy school/work week.
Pork carnitas is a family favorite!
Baked Spaghetti Casserole is a family favorite.
I think our favorite meal to make together is chili because my daughter enjoys stirring soup and she loves eating the final product!
We always make holiday meals together especially the baking
I pinned this. I’m definitely making it this weekend!
We make stuffed shells together!
My families favorites are homemade pizza and tacos.
Our favorite are personal pizzas on the grill. We grill the toppings first, mushrooms, peppers, onions, pineapple, hamburger, and then everyone can make their own and then we grill them, so fun and easy, too!
This looks yummy! I can’t wait to try it.
We love to make Thanksgiving dinner for everyone.
This looks so yummy!!! We love to make spaghetti as a family!
Yum! Would be great to have the kids helping. This would be great for Cinco de Mayo!
I love this
Another one for my “try this” list!
My son loves to help in the kitchen – this is a great recipe for that!
We will love this one, tacos are a staple here!
We love to make tacos with a lot of toppings.
looks yummy
Whenever I need a dessert for something at church, I always check out your recipe box!
Definitely something on the grill!
Favorite meal to make as a family has always been pizza. When my kids were small, their birthday party guests all got a pie plate with dough already rolled out and all they had to do was use the toppings to make their own personal pizza. It was always a hit. I also, unless birthday child requested a special cake, let the guests all help decorate the birthday cake.
Looks yummy. Will be making soon.
Favorite meal to make is Baked Potato Chowder.
our favorite family meal is tacos.
Gringo Tacos & Spanish Rice!
My favorite meal to make together with my family is Thanksgiving dinner! A big turkey with all the sides!
Cheesy Taco’s , burrito’s, and quesadilla’s! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
We enjoy making tacos together.
Me and my boys like making breakfast together. They work on the toast and I work on the eggs.
Taco’s!!! Always have the ingredients handy. I can’t wait to try the taco braid, looks delish.
Sounds delicious Brandie! Thank you! ????
My husband is the cook in our kitchen and he makes a wonderful American Goulash! We can’t wait to try the Fiesta Taco Braid, it sounds delicious!
Favorite “family” meal would have to be Pepper Steak! Hubby is my designated sous chef. He does all the cutting and chopping and I do the rest.
Wondering if u can freeze this without it becoming mushy after reheating.
My kids love to help in the kitchen when homemade pizza is on the menu!
When I saw this I thought yum we make this all the time until I read through and you add refried beans! Had one of those slap the side of my head “why didn’t I think of that!” moments. Can’t wait to make this again adding the beans!
My kids love making quesadillas!