70 Incredible Taco Recipes (2024)

Credit: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Serve a do-it-yourself Mexican dinner and let friends andfamily pile on the seafood, pork, chicken, beef, orfresh veggie toppings into soft or crispy tortillas. Every night can be taco nightwhen the main dish is this easy, delicious, and customizable for every taste. Whether you love crispy or soft shells, a lot or toppings or verylittle, you'll findthe perfect plate of tacos just for you.

Sheet Pan BBQ Fish Tacos With Mexi Corn image

Sheet Pan BBQ Fish Tacos With Mexi Corn Recipe

This easy and impressive sheet pan dinner is from Julie Grimes' $10 Dinners: Delicious Meals for a Family of 4 that Don't Break the Bank.

Family-Style Taco Night

Family-Style Taco Night Recipe

For family taco night, set out the filling, taco shells, and toppings, and let everyone craft their own unique creations. Rather than a store bought taco mix pack, we created a simple homemade blend of basic pantry spices. It takes no more than five minutes to measure it all out and blend it up, and provides excellent flavor to a comforting, uncomplicated meal.

Fish Tacos with Sweet Pickle Sauce

Fish Tacos with Sweet Pickle Sauce Recipe

The creamy sauce offers a cool counterpoint to the bold blackening spices. Not in the mood for tilapia? The recipe is also great with chicken, sliced flank steak, or shrimp. Toss some avocado, tomato, and cilantro into the mix, and you're ready to knock Taco Tuesday out of the park.

Crispy Tilapia Tacos

Crispy Tilapia Tacos Recipe

Aim for just a light coating of flour on the fish for minimal oil absorption--you should only use about 1/4 cup of the flour mixture. We attempted this recipe with whole-wheat flour, but the natural oils from the whole grain didn't allow the crust to crisp properly.

Mushroom and Charred Corn Tacos with Guacamole

Mushroom and Charred Corn Tacos with Guacamole Recipe

This quick taco filling is perfect for weeknight dinners. Poblano chiles bring rich, earthy flavor but little to no heat. (Every once in a while you can get a hot one, though.) If you want to add a little spice, add some crushed red pepper when you sauté the mushrooms.

Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Red Onions

Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Red Onion Recipe

The pork gets a big flavor boost from achiote paste, a mix of ground annatto seeds, vinegar, salt, and spices. Find it at Latin markets.

Chicken Verde Tacos

Chicken Verde Tacos Recipe

We like a warm taco filling, but if you're going for something a little cooler and more refreshing, skip step 1 and drizzle the salsa over assembled tacos.

Slow Cooker Barbacoa Brisket

Slow Cooker Barbacoa Brisket Recipe

Slow cooking tougher cuts of meat, such as beef brisket, gives you a meltingly tender texture. For tacos, serve the saucy barbacoa in tortillas with green and red onion, cilantro leaves, jalapeño slices, and fresh lime wedges.

Slow Cooker Chicken Mole

Slow Cooker Chicken Mole Recipe

Serve the whole leg quarters over brown basmati rice, or shred the chicken off the bone and layer onto corn tortillas with cilantro, radishes, and a squeeze of lime for family taco night.

Pan Seared Tuna Tacos with Avocado and Mango Salsa

Pan-Seared Tuna Tacos with Avocado and Mango Salsa Recipe

These simple, vibrant tacos rely largely on superfresh ingredients for the fullest flavor potential. Opt for just-ripe avocados and tuna from a source you trust.

Grilled Flank Steak with Chipotle-Orange Mojo

Grilled Flank Steak with Chipotle-Orange Mojo Recipe

This delicious steak tostadarecipe cuts back on calories and sodium by using6-inch whole-grain corn tortillas instead of flour, meaning you canafford to eat two.

Flank Steak Tacos with Avocado and Red Onion Salad

Flank Steak Tacos with Avocado and Red Onion Salad Recipe

These juicy flank steak tacos are topped with an avocado, onion, jalapeño, and lime juice mixture. Serve steak with salad and tortillas.

Shrimp Tacos

Shrimp Tacos Recipe

Get a taco dinner on the table in 10 minutes with a simple recipe that quickly infuses bold flavor into raw shrimp by boiling them for two minutes with black peppercorns, lime juice, and red pepper. Spoon the shrimp into corn tortillas and top with tomatoes, sour cream, and green onions, for a pop of color.

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Tacos

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Tacos Recipe

We took the finger-licking beauty of a Buffalo wing experience and wrapped it in a tortilla--because that's how you win a weeknight.

Spiced Beef Tostadas with Cilantro-Lime Rice

Spiced Beef Tostadas with Cilantro-Lime Rice Recipe

These tostadas are inspired by classic taco night toppers and sides. Our version amps up the spice while keeping sodium numbers in check.

Crab Tacos

Crab Tacos Recipe

Serve these crab tacos family-style. Place fillings in bowls and let everyone make their own taco. This recipe uses ready-made taco shells, but soft tortillas are good too.

Pulled-Pork Tacos

Pulled-Pork Tacos Recipe

Top these pulled-pork tacos with chopped red onion, sliced jalapeños, and fresh cilantro for a spicy south-of-the-border taco dinner. Serve with Mexican rice and canned refried beans.

Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa

Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa Recipe

Slow-cooker beef brisket and crunchy fruit salsa make these tacos a perfect blend of savory and sweet.

Tofu Tacos

Tofu Tacos Recipe

Marinate extra-firm tofu in a mixture of soy sauce, lime juice, and spices for about five minutes, then skewer them and cook in a frying pan, turning until browned on all sides. Fill tortillas with tofu and cabbage drizzled with seasoned rice vinegar. Top with salsa and sour cream and serve.

Grilled Fish Tacos with Jalapeño-Cabbage Slaw

Grilled Fish Tacos with Jalapeño-Cabbage Slaw Recipe

We surround these savory Grilled Fish Tacos with our zesty Jalapeño-Cabbage Slaw that add flavor and crunch to each bite.

Huevos Rancheros Tacos

Huevos Rancheros Tacos Recipe

This is more of a knife-and-fork taco. The soft egg yolk oozes and coats the filling.

Chimichurri Steak Tacos with Pickled Vegetables

Chimichurri Steak Tacos with Pickled Vegetables Recipe

Though the amount of chicken skin may seem like a lot, it renders out most of its fat so that you only end up with 2.3 ounces after cooking. Use the cilantro stems for the sauce; the leaves will go in the rice. You'll use the parsley stems and carrot trimmings in the stock for Dinner 3 and the broccoli florets in Dinner 5.

Steak Tacos

Steak Tacos Recipe

These hearty tacos are the perfect entree for steak lovers.

Garlicky Shrimp-Cilantro Tacos (Tacos de Camarones al Mojo de Ajo)

Garlicky Shrimp-Cilantro Tacos (Tacos de Camarones al Mojo de Ajo) Recipe

Tacos don't have to be simple tomato-lettuce-and-cheese stackers. Serve an easy, upscale version that calls for Serrano chiles, white onion, garlic, and shrimp. Plate the taco filling in double tortillas to soak up any excess sauce.

Pork Tacos with Mango Slaw

Pork Tacos with Mango Slaw Recipe

Whole tenderloin is seared and sliced for these quick pork tacos. Serve with lime wedges.

Blackened Shrimp Tacos

Blackened Shrimp Tacos Recipe

Blackened Shrimp Tacos take a Cajun spin in preparation and flavor. These tacos are so easy to put together and make a nice addition to your dinner rotation.

Peanut-Crusted Tofu Tacos with Tangy Slaw

Peanut-Crusted Tofu Tacos with Tangy Slaw Recipe

Give traditional tacos a run for their money with Peanut-Crusted Tofu Tacos with Tangy Slaw. This vegetarian dish may be the one to convert non-tofu eaters in your house.

Steak Tacos with Charred Salsa

Steak Tacos with Charred Salsa Recipe

Here's a fresh serving idea: Assemble and serve tortillas in parchment paper-lined cups.

San Antonio Beef Puffy Tacos

San Antonio Beef Puffy Tacos Recipe

Original tacos were a little different than the U-shaped tortillas invented by entrepreneur Glen Bell of Taco Bell. The real deal begins with a ball of masa flattened into a thin round that's fried to a golden crispness. The masa puffs up a bit, which is how the moniker "puffy taco" came into play. Stuff with ground taco meat, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese.

Ancho Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw and Avocado Cream

Ancho Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw and Avocado Cream Recipe

Create authentic Mexican-style tacos by cooking the chicken in a mixture of ancho chili powder and cumin and serving over corn tortillas topped with slaw and avocado cream.

Chicken Soft Tacos with Sautéed Onions and Apples

Chicken Soft Tacos with Sautéed Onions and Apples Recipe

Give Tex-Mex a savory-sweet punch of flavor by serving tacos with a chicken filling cooked with ground nutmeg, tart Granny Smith apples, and caramelized onions. Pair with a bright cole slaw and you'll have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes.

Kung Pao Chicken Tacos

Kung Pao Chicken Tacos Recipe

Chinese takeout is even tastier when it gets wrapped in a tortilla. Plus, you get to ditch those pesky chopsticks and use your hands instead.

Black Bean Tacos with Feta Slaw

Black Bean Tacos with Feta Slaw Recipe

Tacos are extremely friendly to vegetarians, too! Canned beans that are already seasoned help bring these meatless tacos together in a flash.

Cola Shredded Beef Tacos

Cola Shredded Beef Tacos Recipe

This recipe features shredded beef chuck roast flavored with cola, tomatoes, chiles, and cumin. Bet 'cha can't eat just one.

Chicken Tinga Tacos

Chicken Tinga Tacos Recipe

Spice up your standard taco by adding loads of fresh spices and ingredients that make these flavors soar.

Crisp Chicken Tacos

Crisp Chicken Tacos Recipe

Make your favorite fried taco dish at home by following our easy tips. Fry an empty shell on one side, then flip and fill it with grilled chicken. Fold the tortilla in half and fry until one side is crispy (about 20 seconds), then flip and fry the other side. Drain the taco of excess oil then let it rest in a baking dish before transferring it to a warm oven, where it will stay warm and crisp until you're ready to eat. Serve with hot sauce and condiments.

Three-Bean Tacos

Three-Bean Tacos Recipe

Skip the ground beef and serve a dinner stuffed with fresh vegetables, dried spices, and three kinds of beans. Chickpeas, black beans, and pinto beans simmer in a fragrant mixture of chili powder, oregano, cumin, and garlic while the simmer with diced bell pepper and onion. Layer the beans in crispy shells and top with the standard Mexican toppers: shredded cheese, tomato, lettuce, sour cream, and salsa.

Shredded Chicken Tacos with Mango Salsa

Shredded Chicken Tacos with Mango Salsa Recipe

Look for crema, the Mexican version of sour cream, in Mexican markets or the international aisle of most supermarkets. You could also thin sour cream with 1/2 teaspoon lime juice.

Deep-Dish Taco Pizza

Deep-Dish Taco Pizza Recipe

Mix the best of easy Mexican and Italian favorites by serving a zesty taco pizza. Top refrigerated pizza dough with cooked ground round and onion, cooked with canned tomatoes and Mexican seasoning. Bake for 12 minutes, then top with cheese and bake again until the cheese is melted. This recipe is a guaranteed kid-pleaser.

Spicy Flank Steak Tacos with Watermelon Salsa

Spicy Flank Steak Tacos with Watermelon Salsa Recipe

The three-pepper spice rub gives the steak wonderful complexity. Minty watermelon salsa is an unexpectedly delicious addition.

Chocolate Tacos with Ice Cream and Peanuts

Chocolate Tacos with Ice Cream and Peanuts Recipe

Tacos... for dessert? Finish off your taco night with these crunchy chocolate shells stuffed with ice cream, peanuts and more chocolate.

Tacos al Carbon

Tacos al Carbon Recipe

"Al carbón" tacos are typically cooked over charcoal, but it's easy to mimic that flavor inside by cooking steak, onions, and peppers in a skillet to make a one-pan meaty main dish. Pile the saucy fajita-like mixture into warm corn tortillas and top with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream.

Shrimp Tacos with Corn Salsa

Shrimp Tacos with Corn Salsa Recipe

Grilled shrimp pairs well with the natural sweetness in the fresh corn salsa. We recommend squeezing fresh lime over any taco just before digging in!

Shredded Pork and Pinto Tacos with Pepita Slaw

Shredded Pork and Pinto Tacos with Pepita Slaw Recipe

A half-pound of pork is a gracious plenty for these tacos, which are beefed up with pinto beans, Greek yogurt-amped avocado crema, and a crunchy slaw topped with pumpkinseeds.

Crunchy Jerk Tacos with Watermelon-Mango Salsa

Crunchy Jerk Tacos with Watermelon-Mango Salsa Recipe

The watermelon-mango salsa on these tacos offers the perfect tart and sweet compliment to the spiced jerk chicken.

Smoked Beef Brisket Tostadas

Smoked Beef Brisket Tostadas Recipe

Top these tostadas with fresh avocado, lime juice, crumbled queso fresco, diced jalapeños, chopped tomatoes, and shredded lettuce.

Beef Flatbread Tacos with Cucumber and Yogurt Sauce

Beef Flatbread Tacos with Cucumber and Yogurt Sauce Recipe

Ground lamb would be equally delicious in these fun gyro-inspired tacos. If you can't find the flatbreads we call for, you can use corn tortillas instead.

Potato, Poblano, and Chorizo Tacos

Potato, Poblano, and Chorizo Tacos Recipe

Mexican chorizo is a raw pork sausage flavored with cumin and garlic. If you can't find it, you can substitute regular American breakfast sausage.

Taco Salad with Tortilla Whiskers

Taco Salad with Tortilla Whiskers Recipe

Ditch the tortilla and serve a simple, flavorful main dish taco salad layered with lettuce, black beans, and steak seasoned with white vinegar, cumin, and cinnamon. Follow our recipe for homemade guacamole, or use a store-bought variety to save time.

Walking Taco

Walking Taco Recipe

Make the Walking Taco your trusty sidekick when you're looking for a tasty meal on the go.

Fried Chicken Tacos with Buttermilk-Jalapeño Sauce

Fried Chicken Tacos with Buttermilk-Jalapeño Sauce Recipe

Use this creamy sauce to dress up store-bought fried chicken or as a salad dressing or dip for wings. Adjust the heat by adding more or less jalapeño. We like to double up on the tortillas, taco-truck style, for any of these tacos.

Carne Tampiquena

Carne Tampiqueña Recipe

Grill flames give hot peppers delectable smokiness. Find queso fresco at Mexican markets or in the Latin cheese section of large supermarkets.

Breakfast Tacos

Breakfast Tacos Recipe

Tortillas stuffed with scrambled eggs, chilies and cream cheese are ready in just 10 minutes, making them an ideal breakfast for busy mornings.

Chicken Tacos

Chicken Tacos Recipe

These easy chicken tacos are a great addition to taco night.

Spiced Pork and Mango Tacos

Spiced Pork and Mango Tacos Recipe

Give your taco night a little kick of something spicy and a little taste of something tropical by adding paprika and these thinly sliced mangos.

Chipotle Pork Soft Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

Chipotle Pork Soft Tacos with Pineapple Salsa Recipe

Bring the vibrant taste of the Caribbean to the dinner table with a simple six-ingredient salsa, made with pineapple, apple, shallots, cilantro, lime juice, and cumin. Serve over sautéed pork tenderloin with chipotle chiles and a tangy cider vinegar sauce.

Chicken-Avocado Soft Tacos

Chicken-Avocado Soft Tacos Recipe

Toss thinly sliced chicken and avocado together and divide evenly among tortillas for a delicious taco night dish.

Fried-Fish Reuben Tacos

Fried-Fish Reuben Tacos Recipe

Your favorite sandwich fillings work just as well stuffed inside a taco shell. Here, fish tacos meet the classic Reuben, and the results are fantastic.

Beef Chorizo Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

Beef Chorizo Tacos with Cabbage Slaw Recipe

Each person gets three filling tacos for a satisfying meal full of fresh veggie crunch. Garlic, paprika, cumin, and vinegar turn ground beef into near-instant Mexican-style chorizo, much leaner than the traditional pork version. Cost for 4: $8.37

Tofu-and-Vegetable Tacos with Eggplant-Ancho Spread

Tofu-and-Vegetable Tacos with Eggplant-Ancho Spread Recipe

Chef Alyssa Gorelick wraps grilled vegetables and tofu in tortillas with an eggplant-and-ancho-chile spread that gives the tacos a rich, smoky taste. The spread is also delicious as a dip with pita chips.

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Steak and Fried Egg Breakfast Tacos with Chimichurri Recipe

Who says you can't make yourself a fancy, classy brunch all at home in the comfort of your own kitchen?For an ultra-hearty start to your morning, fry up some frizzled, sunnyside up eggs and serve them in a warm corn tortilla with grilled flank steak and the works. We topped ours with fresh avocado, queso fresco, radishes, and a flavor-packed chimichurri sauce that melts right into the runny yolks.

Suadero Tacos with Serrano-Cilantro Salsa

Suadero Tacos with Serrano-Cilantro Salsa Recipe

Suadero, a cut of beef similar to flank steak, is a popular taco filling on food trucks.

Carne Asada image

Carne Asada Recipe

Get ready for the most epically delicious taco night of your life. The stars? Our classic, flavor-packed carne asada marinadeand a hunk of skirt steak. While we went with skirt steak to soak up the vibrant flavors of this multipurpose marinade, you can use whatever cut of steak you prefer (flank, sirloin, etc.) for your carne asada tacos. After you’ve allowed your beef to marinatefor at least 4 hours (and up to 12) and grill it to your desired degree of doneness, you’re ready to eat. You can enjoy the steak sliced over rice, in a salad, or with your favorite side dishes—or go with our favorite route, and serve it as seen here in charred corn tortillas with a variety of toppings, like sliced avocados, crumbled queso fresco, sliced radishes, minced onion, lime wedges, and fresh cilantro.

slow-cooker-pork-tacos-with-fresh-tomato-salsa

Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos with Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipe

Mushroom-Potato Tacos with Scallion Relish

Mushroom-Potato Tacos with Scallion Relish Recipe

Cubed potatoes make a great taco filling. They crisp up nicely and take on the smokiness and faint heat of the spices. Kale adds a little toothsome chew; you can use any hearty green you have on hand (such as Swiss chard, collard greens, or spinach). The scallion relish is a fresh, tangy condiment that brightens the earthy flavor of the mushrooms and kale. It would also be delicious with your next batch of fish tacos.

Pot Roast Tacos with Chimichurri

Pot Roast Tacos with Chimichurri Recipe

Want to make Taco Tuesday a breeze?This recipe gets its protein from a Sunday nightBig Batch Oven-Braised Pot Roast, which is big enough for both dinners, plus a Monday nightRoast Beef Hash in the interim.

Sesame Chicken Tacos

Sesame Chicken Tacos Recipe

Baja and Beijing collide in a healthy new way with taco night.

Japanese Tako Tacos image

Japanese Tako Tacos Recipe

Feed your wild side with tender tako (Japanese for octopus) dressed with pickled ginger, julienned daikon, and a sambal-spiked Kewpie mayo sauce.

Big Easy Fried Catfish Tacos image

Big Easy Fried Catfish Tacos Recipe

Craving authentic Cajun flavor? Bring the heat with cornmeal-fried catfish punctuated by Cajun pico and a spicy rémoulade.

Fish Tacos and Topping Bar image

Fish Tacos and Topping Bar Recipe

Fresh fish tacos are topped with Asian Slaw and Quick Chipotle Cream for a dinner recipe that the whole family will love.