Tacos are a beloved dish worldwide for their versatility, ease of preparation, and explosion of flavors.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, these 18 easy taco recipes will have you creating delicious tacos in no time.
From classic ground beef to exciting vegetarian options, there’s a taco here for everyone!
1. Classic Ground Beef Tacos
No taco roundup is complete without the classic ground beef taco. This recipe is a staple for a reason: it’s simple, satisfying, and endlessly customizable.
Browned ground beef is seasoned with a blend of spices, then nestled in warm tortillas and topped with your favorite fixings.
2. Spicy Shrimp Tacos
Spice up your taco night with these fiery shrimp tacos. Succulent shrimp are marinated in a blend of chili powder, cumin, and paprika, then cooked to perfection and piled onto tortillas.
A squeeze of lime juice adds a bright, zesty counterpoint to the heat.
3. Carnitas Tacos
Carnitas, meaning “little meats” in Spanish, are a flavorful and tender pork filling for tacos.
This recipe slow cooks pork shoulder until it’s fall-apart tender, then shreds it and crisps it up in a skillet. The result is a taco filling that’s rich, savory, and incredibly satisfying.
4. Chicken Tinga Tacos
Chicken tinga is a smoky, tangy, and slightly spicy Mexican stew that makes a fantastic taco filling.
This recipe simmers chicken in a sauce of tomatoes, chipotle peppers, and onions, creating a complex and flavorful filling that will have you coming back for more.
5. Fish Tacos with Creamy Slaw
These fish tacos are a lighter, fresher take on the classic.
Flaky white fish is coated in a crispy batter and fried until golden brown, then topped with a creamy slaw for a delightful contrast in textures and flavors.
6. Vegetarian Black Bean Tacos
These hearty black bean tacos are packed with flavor and protein, making them a satisfying option for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
Black beans are simmered with onions, garlic, and spices, then mashed and served in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings.
7. Lentil Tacos with Avocado Crema
These lentil tacos are a healthy and delicious way to enjoy taco night. Lentils are simmered with vegetables and spices until tender, then topped with a creamy avocado crema for a rich and satisfying meal.
8. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
These sweet potato and black bean tacos are a flavorful and colorful vegetarian option. Roasted sweet potatoes and black beans are combined with spices and served in warm tortillas with a variety of toppings.
9. Breakfast Tacos with Eggs and Chorizo
Start your day with a fiesta of flavors with these breakfast tacos. Scrambled eggs are combined with spicy chorizo and served in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings, like cheese, salsa, and avocado.
10. Korean Beef Tacos
These Korean beef tacos are a fusion of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
Thinly sliced beef is marinated in a sweet and savory Korean barbecue sauce, then grilled and served in tortillas with kimchi and other toppings.
11. Barbacoa Tacos
Barbacoa is a traditional Mexican dish of slow-cooked meat that’s incredibly tender and flavorful.
This recipe uses beef chuck roast that’s cooked until it’s fall-apart tender, then shredded and served in tortillas with your favorite toppings.
12. Al Pastor Tacos
Al pastor tacos are a popular street food in Mexico, featuring marinated pork that’s cooked on a vertical rotisserie.
This recipe recreates the flavors of al pastor at home, using pork shoulder that’s marinated in a blend of spices and pineapple juice, then grilled or pan-fried and served in tortillas with pineapple salsa.
13. Birria Tacos
Birria tacos are a flavorful and satisfying dish featuring tender, slow-cooked meat that’s dipped in a flavorful consommé before being served in tortillas.
This recipe uses beef chuck roast that’s simmered in a blend of spices and chiles until incredibly tender, then shredded and served in tortillas with the consommé for dipping.
14. Cauliflower Tacos
These cauliflower tacos are a delicious and healthy vegetarian option.
Cauliflower florets are roasted until tender and slightly charred, then tossed in a flavorful spice blend and served in tortillas with your favorite toppings.
15. Mushroom Tacos with Chipotle Crema
These mushroom tacos are a flavorful and satisfying vegetarian option. Sautéed mushrooms are combined with a smoky chipotle crema and served in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings.
16. Jackfruit Tacos
Jackfruit is a versatile fruit that can be used in a variety of dishes, including tacos.
This recipe uses canned jackfruit that’s shredded and simmered in a flavorful sauce, then served in tortillas with your favorite toppings.
17. Tempeh Tacos with Mango Salsa
These tempeh tacos are a delicious and healthy vegetarian option. Tempeh is marinated in a flavorful sauce, then grilled or pan-fried and served in tortillas with a refreshing mango salsa.
18. Tofu Scramble Tacos
These tofu scramble tacos are a delicious and healthy vegan option.
Crumbled tofu is cooked with vegetables and spices until it resembles scrambled eggs, then served in tortillas with your favorite toppings.
Tips for Taco Night Success:
- Warm your tortillas: Warm tortillas are more pliable and less likely to crack. You can warm them in a dry skillet, in the oven, or in the microwave.
- Don’t overfill your tacos: Overfilled tacos are messy and difficult to eat. Start with a small amount of filling and add more as needed.
- Get creative with your toppings: The possibilities are endless! Some popular toppings include salsa, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, onions, cilantro, and lime wedges.
- Have fun! Taco night is a great opportunity to get creative in the kitchen and experiment with new flavors.
With these easy taco recipes, you’ll be able to create a delicious and festive taco night that everyone will enjoy. So grab your ingredients, invite some friends over, and get ready to fiesta!