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What do you say — tacos tonight?
I say yes. ♡ And for those of you happen to be looking for some tasty new taco recipes to try, here are a dozen of our readers’ favorite taco recipes that come highly recommended!
Whether you’re looking for some new meat, shrimp or fish tacos to try, or really want to add some delicious new vegetarian taco recipes to your repertoire…whether you need some 30-minute tacos that you can whip up in a flash, or prefer slow-cooked taco fillings that can simmer all day in the crockpot…whether you feel like starting the day with some breakfast tacos, trying a lightened-up version of crispy fish tacos, or join the internet’s current obsession of dunking quesatacos in broth…there’s hopefully a little something for everyone on this list. So many great taco recipes to try!
Of course, I also have to recommend that you try making a batch of my favorite homemade flour tortillas or corn tortillas to go with them sometime, which are always guaranteed to take taco night to the next level. And if you’re looking to round out your meal, you can never go wrong with some chips and salsa, guacamole, refried beans, this side salad, and some fun drinks (hello margs, mocktails or aguas frescas) on taco night.
Let’s make some tacos!
Birria Tacos
“These were soooooo good! Living in San Diego my whole life I have eaten A LOT of tacos… these were some of the best birria tacos I’ve had. Not to hard to make and the flavor was just so good. My husband couldn’t stop drinking the broth. Definitely something I want to make again!” -Stacey
Carnitas Tacos
“I made this. I’d love to say I served it in warm tortillas with salsa and other toppings but I could not stop eating it STRAIGHT FROM THE PAN. A 4 lb roast will cook down to about 2 lbs of carnitas. I’m not sure, I weighed the results AFTER I regained some semblance of self control. But seriously, this may be the last instant pot recipe I ever need.” -Karla
Mushroom “Carnitas” Tacos
“I made these yesterday and they are so good!! They came out of the oven looking like shredded chicken. This recipe is definitely a keeper! Thank you!” -Nadia
Shrimp Tacos
“These tacos are SOOOO good. I wasn’t sure I would like the cilantro lime slaw or the crema but when you put it all together, it’s delicious. I’ve made these twice and they were a hit with both groups.” -Mary
Salmon Tacos with Juicy Citrus Salsa
“Omg, THESE WERE AMAZING. I have to admit, I’m not the biggest fan of salmon, so I was a little iffy about these…but all of the flavors together were fantastic. We really loved the salsa!” -Katie
Carne Asada Tacos
“This recipe was incredible! My husband had 3 servings and is still raving about them! Thank you so much for sharing, we will definitely be making these again!” -Gina
Roasted Sweet Potato Tacos
“Made these last night and they were so good! And it’s such an easy, adaptable recipe. These will definitely be making a regular appearance on our table! Thanks!” -Diana
Easy Cochinita Pibil Tacos
“I made this Cochinita Pibil recipe and could not be happier! It was delicious and we loved our tacos. I made enchiladas with the leftover meat and sauce. Thanks for a great and easy recipe.” -Chris
Chicken Tinga Tacos
“Wow, these genuinely were so easy to make. We served them with your refried beans and chips with fresh salsa verde and everyone loved them!” -Maggie
Crispy Baked Fish Tacos
“These tacos are SO MUCH YES! One of the best recipes I’ve made in months and hands down the best fish taco recipe I’ve ever made. The slaw, the sauce, the breading on the fish. I used Ian’s Gluten Free Panko Bread crumbs and was sure to toss with the suggested tablespoon of oil for extra crispness. Followed the recipe accordingly everywhere else and it was such a success. So excited to have found this recipe!” -Caroline
Mole Chicken Tacos
“Our family is obsessed with this mole sauce! We alternate between using it in these tacos and burrito bowls and everyone always loves it.” -Katrina
Easy Breakfast Tacos
“My boyfriend and I make these every Saturday morning now for brunch and always look forward to them. We usually add in some bacon too which I very much recommend!” -Beth
posted on May 3, 2021 by Ali
Main Dishes, Mexican-Inspired
FAQs
The most common toppings that you will find for crispy tacos are shredded lettuce (romaine or iceberg lettuce), finely shredded cabbage, sliced or chopped tomatoes, and onions (white onion is more popular than red onion). This list can go on for ages, but I will only mention the most popular fried tacos. Shredded Beef.
What can I add to tacos to make them better? ›
It's always a good idea to include something meaty, like ground beef, slow-cooked shredded chicken, or spicy shrimp. Saucy black beans or canned refried beans are also hearty options. Sautéed or grilled peppers and onions are a great vegetable-forward filling to include.
How do you elevate a taco kit? ›
Upgrade Boxed Tacos
- Box of Taco Shells.
- Taco Seasoning Packet.
- Ground Meat ( we use beef or chicken)
- Diced sweet or white onion.
- Bell Pepper any color will do.
- 1 Diced Jalapeno.
- 1 Chipotle in adobo (you can add more if you want it hotter)
- Salsa.
We also love the La Tiara brand traditional taco shells for the perfect crunch in every taco bite!
- Taco Bowls. ...
- Or, Serve Tacos in a Bag. ...
- Sautéed Peppers. ...
- Caramelized Onions. ...
- Pico de Gallo. ...
- Corn Salsa. ...
- Cream Cheese Bean Dip. ...
- Cheese Toppings.
Not enough people use cilantro. Iceberg lettuce can be refreshing in a burrito, but when it comes to tacos, cilantro, onion and lime are king. I know Tex-Mex enthusiasts love their dairy on a taco. Big pinches of cheddar cheese that lack flavor or the ability to melt.
What goes in an authentic taco? ›
Lime is probably the most essential of authentic Mexican taco toppings. A squeeze of lime adds a dash of acid that brings out the other flavors in a taco beautifully. Onions, cilantro, pico de gallo, sliced radishes or cucumbers, avocado, and chili peppers are also standard toppings for authentic tacos.
What is the best sauce for tacos? ›
Cilantro Lime- Cilantro Lime Sauce is fresh, vibrant, full of flavor. That is why it is one of the best sauces for all your tacos! It is made from sour cream, mayonnaise, cilantro, jalapeños, garlic, lime juice, and salt. Cilantro Lime Sauce is creamy, spicy, and sour- with a hint of garlic.
What side dish goes with tacos? ›
get ready to spice up the spread with these 10 scrumptious sides you can make at home!
- Refried Beans. ...
- Traditional Mexican Rice. ...
- Taco Slaw. ...
- Seven-Layer Dip. ...
- Mexican Street Corn Salad. ...
- Zesty Black Bean Salad. ...
- Grilled Corn on the Cob. ...
- Jalapeño Poppers.
If it's traditional tacos I'll do cilantro, onion and salsa. If I make carne asada tacos I'll add whole beans too. Tacos dorados (stuffed and fried corn tortilla) get sour cream, crumbled queso fresco, salsa and shredded lettuce. Crunchy tex mex tacos get the ground beef, cheese, sour cream, lettuce and salsa.
How do you make homemade tacos taste better? ›
Just a few lengths or rings of pickled vegetables can work magic. Whether onions, carrots, radish, or jalapeño, pickles bring a fresh taste and textural dimension to many tacos. Purple cabbage makes for a crisp bite and visual drama. You can't go wrong, either, with a quick, classic topping of pickled red onion.
Other toppings to consider:
- Chopped onions or scallions.
- Corn.
- Sour cream.
- Guacamole.
- Refried beans.
- Lettuce.
- Bell peppers.
- Jalapenos.
Try throwing in some pepitas, asparagus, basil, or fresh fruit. For an even creamier avocado taco topping, try making avocado crema. Blend the avocados with sour cream and thin it out with lime juice until it's easy to drizzle onto your tacos.
What are traditional taco toppings? ›
Lime is probably the most essential of authentic Mexican taco toppings. A squeeze of lime adds a dash of acid that brings out the other flavors in a taco beautifully. Onions, cilantro, pico de gallo, sliced radishes or cucumbers, avocado, and chili peppers are also standard toppings for authentic tacos.
What is typically on a taco? ›
The most common type of taco in the US is the hard-shell, U-shaped version, first described in a cookbook in 1949. This type of taco is typically served as a crisp-fried corn tortilla filled with seasoned ground beef, cheese, lettuce, and sometimes tomato, onion, salsa, sour cream, and avocado or guacamole.
What are the different types of taco fillings? ›
Fillings: Taco fillings can range from pork to beef, fish, chicken, seafood, beans, and vegetables. Toppings: Popular topping choices include sour cream, lettuce, cheese, salsa verde, guacamole, lime juice, and onion.
