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You know those nights when you want dinner to feel like a treat—without turning your kitchen into a full-time job? That’s exactly where these cheese steak tacos with buffalo fries live.
For me, it usually happens on a Friday. I’m tired, everyone’s hungry, and I want something that feels fun. Not fancy. Fun. The kind of meal where you don’t bother with matching plates, and someone inevitably says, “Wait… are there more fries?” like they’re asking about buried treasure.
These tacos are cheesy and beefy in that classic, comforting way. The buffalo fries are spicy, tangy, crispy… and honestly a little addictive. Put them together and it’s like taco night and game-day snacks had a delicious little crossover episode. A little indulgent, a little messy, and completely satisfying.
And here’s the thing: it sounds like a big production, but it really isn’t. If you can bake fries and brown ground beef, you’ve got this.
Why You’ll Love This
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Big comfort-food energy without a million steps
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Cheesy tacos + spicy fries is a combo that makes people happy fast
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Easy to tweak based on what’s in your fridge (or what needs using up)
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Great for game day and casual hangouts—nothing precious, all delicious
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Quick multitasking meal: fries in the oven while the beef cooks
Ingredient Notes (and the “Use What You’ve Got” Options)
Let’s talk ingredients like real people who have budgets, picky eaters, and a random half onion rolling around in the crisper drawer.
For the tacos
Ground beef (½ lb)
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Beef gives you that classic “cheese steak” vibe in a faster, weeknight way.
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Swap: ground turkey or chicken works great. Plant-based crumbles work too—just season confidently.
Taco seasoning (1 packet)
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Any brand is fine. Old El Paso, McCormick, store brand—go with what you like.
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If you’re out, you can fake it with chili powder + cumin + garlic powder + paprika + salt. (Not exact, still tasty.)
Onion (½ yellow onion, diced)
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Onion is doing quiet, important work here. It adds sweetness and that savory base note.
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Swap: red onion for a sharper bite, or frozen diced onion when you’re truly not in the mood.
Tomato (1 large, seeded and diced)
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Seeding helps keep the tacos from getting watery.
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Swap: cherry tomatoes chopped up, or a little pico de gallo from the deli section if you want to cut corners.
Scallions (½ cup chopped)
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These add freshness and a little zip.
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Swap: chopped cilantro, or just skip if your household has strong opinions.
Monterey Jack cheese (¾ cup shredded)
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Monterey Jack melts like a dream.
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Swap: Pepper Jack if you want more heat, provolone for a more “true cheesesteak” feel, or mozzarella in a pinch.
Avocado (1, diced)
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This cools everything down and makes the tacos feel creamy without much effort.
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Swap: guacamole, or even a squeeze of lime plus sour cream if avocados are being expensive and stubborn at the store (you know the kind).
Tortillas
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Flour tortillas are the most “cheese steak adjacent,” but corn tortillas are great too.
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If you’re buying, I like Mission or Guerrero for everyday. If you’ve got a local tortilleria, even better.
Sour cream (optional but encouraged)
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It balances the buffalo heat and makes everything feel extra cozy.
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Swap: plain Greek yogurt works.
For the buffalo fries
Frozen waffle fries (22 oz bag)
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Waffle fries hold sauce well because of all those little pockets. It’s not just for looks.
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Swap: crinkle fries, curly fries, steak fries—whatever you like.
Oil (2 tbsp)
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Helps the fries crisp up and brown nicely. Avocado oil, vegetable oil, olive oil—use what you have.
Buffalo sauce
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Store-bought is easy. Frank’s RedHot Buffalo is a classic for a reason.
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Homemade is also easy (I’ll walk you through it below).
Cheddar cheese (¾ cup shredded)
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Because buffalo fries without cheese feel a little too responsible.
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Swap: a blend, or even blue cheese crumbles if you’re a buffalo purist.
Let’s Make Dinner Happen (Step-by-Step, With Good Timing)
This is a “two things at once” meal, but not the stressful kind. The oven does the heavy lifting while you handle the skillet.
Step 1: Get the fries going first
Preheat your oven to whatever your waffle fry bag says—usually 425°F.
Spread the fries out on a sheet pan. Give them a drizzle of oil and toss to coat. Don’t crowd them too much. If they’re piled up, they steam, and steamed fries are… not the vibe.
Bake until they’re golden and crispy, flipping halfway. Most bags land around 20–30 minutes.
Little tip: If you have an air fryer, you can absolutely use it. Just do batches so they crisp instead of clump.
Step 2: Brown the beef while the fries bake
Set a skillet over medium heat. Add about 2 tablespoons of oil (or less if your beef has plenty of fat).
Add the diced onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until it softens. You’re not trying to caramelize it for an hour; you’re just taking the edge off.
Add the ground beef. Break it up with a spatula and cook until browned.
If there’s a lot of grease, go ahead and drain it. Then add the taco seasoning (and the water your packet calls for, if it does). Let it simmer for a couple minutes so the flavor settles in.
This is the part that makes your kitchen smell like dinner’s actually happening. Don’t skip the simmer.
Step 3: Quick prep on toppings (your “mise en place,” but casual)
While the beef simmers, prep your toppings:
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Dice the tomato (and remove seeds if you can)
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Slice scallions
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Dice avocado
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Shred cheese (or open the bag—no judgment, ever)
Mix your Monterey Jack and cheddar if you want one big “grab-and-sprinkle” bowl. That’s a small move with big payoff.
Step 4: Warm the tortillas (it matters more than people think)
Cold tortillas tear. Warm tortillas hug the filling.
You can warm them:
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In a dry skillet for a few seconds per side
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Wrapped in foil in the oven for a few minutes
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Or straight on a gas burner flame if you’re comfortable (watch your fingers)
Step 5: Buffalo those fries
When the fries come out hot and crispy, toss them right away with buffalo sauce.
Important: Don’t drown them. Start with a little, toss, then add more as needed. You want tangy and coated—not soggy.
Now sprinkle over the shredded cheddar while the fries are still hot so it melts into those waffle pockets. If you want the cheese extra melty, pop the tray back in the oven for 2–3 minutes.
Try not to snack too aggressively “just to taste.” (I fail this test every time.)
Step 6: Build your tacos
Spoon beef into warm tortillas. Top with:
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Monterey Jack (it’ll melt a little from the warm beef—perfect)
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Tomato
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Scallions
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Avocado
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Sour cream, if you’re on my team
Serve with a pile of buffalo fries and watch everyone suddenly wander into the kitchen like they heard a dinner bell.
Homemade Buffalo Sauce (If You Want the Easy Version That Works)
If you’ve got hot sauce and butter, you can make buffalo sauce. That’s the secret.
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½ cup hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot is the classic)
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¼ cup melted butter
Whisk together. That’s it.
Want it:
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Milder? Add a little more butter.
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Tangier? A tiny splash of vinegar helps.
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Garlicky? Add a pinch of garlic powder.
Fun Variations (Because Taco Night Can Have Options)
Make it more “true cheesesteak”
Use thinly sliced steak (like ribeye or sirloin) instead of ground beef. Cook it quickly in a hot skillet, then toss with sautéed onions. Add provolone and let it get melty.
It’s more work, yes. But still very doable.
Chicken version
Use shredded rotisserie chicken and toss it with taco seasoning plus a splash of water. Fast, easy, and great if beef isn’t your thing.
Veggie-friendly
Sauté mushrooms and bell peppers, then add black beans. Season well. Add extra cheese. Nobody will feel like they’re missing out.
Extra saucy, extra fun
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Drizzle ranch or blue cheese dressing over the tacos
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Add pickled jalapeños
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Stir a spoonful of sour cream into the beef for a creamy vibe (sounds odd, tastes great)
Tortilla upgrade
Lightly butter the tortillas and toast them in a skillet until they get those golden spots. It’s a tiny “restaurant trick” that makes everything feel special.
Storage & Reheating (So Leftovers Don’t Feel Sad)
Beef filling:
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen it up.
Toppings:
Keep tomatoes, scallions, and avocado separate. Avocado is best fresh, but if you must store it, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface and add a squeeze of lime.
Fries:
They’re best fresh, no question. But you can reheat them:
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Oven: 400°F for about 8–10 minutes
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Air fryer: 375°F for 4–6 minutes
Microwave fries are… well. They’ll feed you, but they won’t thrill you.
Little trick: If you know you’ll have leftovers, keep some fries unsauced and add buffalo sauce after reheating. That helps them stay crisp.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something hearty, cheesy, and just a bit spicy, these cheese steak tacos with buffalo fries really deliver. They’re the kind of dinner that gets people hovering near the stove, “just checking” if it’s ready yet. And they’re casual in a way I love—no perfect plating, no fuss, just good food and happy noise.
If you make them, tell me how you did it. Did you go extra buffalo? Add peppers? Switch up the cheese? I always want to hear what worked in your kitchen—because that’s where the good stuff happens.
Cheese Steak Tacos with Buffalo Fries
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen waffle fries 22 oz
- 2 tbsp oil divided
- Buffalo sauce to taste
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 1 large tomato seeds removed and diced
- ½ cup chopped scallions
- ½ lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ¾ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ripe avocado diced
- tortillas small or medium size
- sour cream optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven according to waffle fry package directions (typically 425°F). Toss fries with 1 tbsp oil and bake until golden and crispy, flipping halfway.
- While fries bake, heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes.
- Add ground beef to skillet, cook until browned, and drain any excess fat. Stir in taco seasoning and water per packet instructions. Simmer for a few minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare toppings: dice tomato and avocado, chop scallions, and mix Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses.
- Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or oven.
- When fries are done, toss them in buffalo sauce immediately while hot.
- Assemble tacos by spooning seasoned beef into tortillas and topping with cheese, tomato, scallions, avocado, and sour cream if using.
- Serve tacos with buffalo fries on the side and enjoy!
